Re: TO MERGE OR NOT TO MERGE THAT IS THE QUESTION. : Thu Apr 18, 2013 4:02 pm
Bullseye wrote:
I think there's a flawed assumption that fans of individual teams would all simply club together and support a merged club. (This assumption seems to be held by those not affected by any proposed merger).
Sport's a more emotive subject than other business and fans have emotional attachment to their team and area. So much so that in most cases there are incredible rivalries between them and the supporters of the team they're being asked to merge with. It's those emotions that sport is built on. Take that away and nobody is interested anymore.
If a merger was forced or some sort of ultimatum then I think many fans would either campaign to start their own clubs further down the hierachy (like Sheffield and Gateshead) or be lost to the game as a whole. I simply don't see how an artificial, manufactured hybrid team would generate the support it would need to be a sustainable business.
From a Bradford perspective there is an incredible rivalry between us and Halifax and Keighley. These are distinctive places with their own identities. With Cas, Fev and Wakey it's a similar situation. Just because they are close geographically doesn't mean a thing.
I think there's also too much attention given to the issue of modern stadia too. Just because a side plays in modern facilities doesn't mean they're a well run club that has a firm financial footing. It should be easier for them to operate but it doesn't guarantee anything.
If a majority of fans want a merger then so be it. However I can't see that happening unless there was a heck of a compromise and nobody felt like they were being "taken over" or wiped out of existence.
Good luck, I hope Wakey, Cas and Fev go on separately unless you all decide you want otherwise.
Sport's a more emotive subject than other business and fans have emotional attachment to their team and area. So much so that in most cases there are incredible rivalries between them and the supporters of the team they're being asked to merge with. It's those emotions that sport is built on. Take that away and nobody is interested anymore.
If a merger was forced or some sort of ultimatum then I think many fans would either campaign to start their own clubs further down the hierachy (like Sheffield and Gateshead) or be lost to the game as a whole. I simply don't see how an artificial, manufactured hybrid team would generate the support it would need to be a sustainable business.
From a Bradford perspective there is an incredible rivalry between us and Halifax and Keighley. These are distinctive places with their own identities. With Cas, Fev and Wakey it's a similar situation. Just because they are close geographically doesn't mean a thing.
I think there's also too much attention given to the issue of modern stadia too. Just because a side plays in modern facilities doesn't mean they're a well run club that has a firm financial footing. It should be easier for them to operate but it doesn't guarantee anything.
If a majority of fans want a merger then so be it. However I can't see that happening unless there was a heck of a compromise and nobody felt like they were being "taken over" or wiped out of existence.
Good luck, I hope Wakey, Cas and Fev go on separately unless you all decide you want otherwise.
I thought I'd left this excellent debate but the superb post above requiress further comment. I agree with all of Bullseyes comments with a couple of important caviats.
re. passion and emotion - I only advocate a coming together so that that passion can be bottled up and given to any new club born out of the 3, and never lost. Purely because that seems a far better option to me than losing 1 or perhaps 2 of the 3.
New stadia do not guarantee a thing...... I would again agree with that, and good examples of this are at Salford and Widnes where the passion and size of crowds I witnessed in the late 60s and 70s simply is not there today despite new Stadia. But in the Calder area(excuse the term I can think of no other) we are dealing with fans who ooze passion without having any real recent success. Thats why I believe the model you will be looking at is the KC Stadium/Halliwell Jones/and Langtree Park/DW. ie. A model whch is successsful. Indeed Wires success may be a factor in the Widnes's supporter malaise despite all they won in the 70s.
Takeover; Again I agree, this could never be a Hull/Gateshead scenario, it has none of the Geographic or club size/history issues. We are dealing here with Fans and Directors who would never allow that to happen and the RL HQ would not dare even try forcing it as they did so poorly with Gateshead. It would have to be completely fair, transparent and favouring not 1 former club. Each club would be divesting its future and its own fan base to something bigger and BETTER of course, that could hold its own against the very best. (Some of these points also cover TigerTots insightful comments above too.)
Having said all that, I am of course aware that the strength of feeling on here is so anti any merger that even with such potential as can be seen at the Club stadia models I refer to, I still feel there is just not the will to let go of what you have and come together for the good of the game in the area. And believe me I do respect and concur with that.
Over in Hull, mergers were talked of prior to the KC being built and both clubs rejected it. Hull FC believed they had the fan base to be sustainable and indeed we are and have held an A Grade license throuout our tenure in SL. Ironically Rovers also believed they had that same potential to recapture their success of the 70s and 80s. I say ironically because it is their lack of acceptable stadia and smaller fan base which are 2 of the things holding them back. I say ironically also in terms of this discussion because Rovers are sadly now looking down the barrel, and at the same time you 3 could have the opportunity to make sure you never are in that position. I'm convinced Neil Hudgell at HKR would hapilly merge with a club who had similar support base / size etc/East Hull based/ if it meant keeping the East Hull SL flag flying AND SUSTAINABLE. One day that club may even be Hull FC who knows ?, FC may yet find difficult imes ahead, anythings possible. But for today FC are doing well on their own, with a great place to play and an owner who continues to run the club on a firm financial footing and a fan base most would die for.
FC are indeed fortunate and I want this fantastic RL area to ensure they can feel the same fortunate way in 20 years time by making the tough decisions today.
Right, thats it I'm outa here, bye.
(p,s. just for the record I'm 100% behind HKR sorting out their problems too.)
