Newport & Bridgend : Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:41 pm  

Is the way forward to play CC games in SL at Newport & then perhaps acquire the London Skolars franchise or a new club in CC1 to play at The Brewery Field - constructive thoughts please.

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:13 pm  

I think it is. We already have the Bridgend Blue Bulls, who previous to CC were offered a place in NL2, and are consistently one of the best teams in the Welsh Conference.

I think we'll ultimately move to Newport, and that's the right move for the club. We need bigger crowds, clearly, and Bridgend has never been an area renowned for big crowds at any sporting event. When Bridgend (RU) won the last ever professional Welsh Premiership title in 2003, the attendance was less than 2,000. We only lost 2 games that season, both away from home, and we still couldn't get crowds!

Newport-Gwent Dragons average 6-7,000 every game, and they have more Welsh Conference teams around here, a lot of who would find it difficult to get to Bridgend after playing their games, and I reckon we could add 500ish straight away just from these people. We already have a large number of people who travel from the Gwent area to all our home games already, and Newport is closer to Cardiff so there's more chance of attracting fans from the capital.

Re: Newport & Bridgend : Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:37 pm  

Early Bath wrote:

Is the way forward to play CC games in SL at Newport & then perhaps acquire the London Skolars franchise or a new club in CC1 to play at The Brewery Field - constructive thoughts please.

Not if they are going to have a load of aussies and no salary cap

: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:07 pm  

ajhcrusader wrote:

I think it is. We already have the Bridgend Blue Bulls, who previous to CC were offered a place in NL2, and are consistently one of the best teams in the Welsh Conference.

I think we'll ultimately move to Newport, and that's the right move for the club. We need bigger crowds, clearly, and Bridgend has never been an area renowned for big crowds at any sporting event. When Bridgend (RU) won the last ever professional Welsh Premiership title in 2003, the attendance was less than 2,000. We only lost 2 games that season, both away from home, and we still couldn't get crowds!

Newport-Gwent Dragons average 6-7,000 every game, and they have more Welsh Conference teams around here, a lot of who would find it difficult to get to Bridgend after playing their games, and I reckon we could add 500ish straight away just from these people. We already have a large number of people who travel from the Gwent area to all our home games already, and Newport is closer to Cardiff so there's more chance of attracting fans from the capital.

Yes a sensible response and a pleasure to have a reoly of substance instead of the usual keyboard warrior one sentence clever dick stuff.

Pontypridd has been mentioned too but I agree with you that Newport could be the ideal spot. David Watkins as Chairman there as well. I think there is merit to have TWO clubs down there as interest will be retained throughout the summer.

: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:20 pm  

I'd much rather the club stay in Bridgend, but we just aren't getting the fans. Not sure Newport is the answer though. The ground has a larger capacity, but it's all seating (boring) and just because its in a bigger population centre doesn't mean the crowds'll come. The Ebbw Vale Springboks (sorry, Nooport Dragons) themselves have taken 6 years to build up those attendances and you have to accept that there is in Wales a great irrational antipathy from some towards League for events of 30 years ago, even though the tables are now reversed and Union is doing exactly the same. Do I believe Leighton Samuel, if he moves us to Nooport will bring us back to Bridgend for our promised new Stadium? Hell no! If we leave Bridgend, I reckon we'll stay gone.

Unfortunately the town of Bridgend does not deserve top level sport because the majority of the allegedly sports loving population only get of their arrises for big matches.

: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:41 pm  

Grendel wrote:

I'd much rather the club stay in Bridgend, but we just aren't getting the fans. Not sure Newport is the answer though. The ground has a larger capacity, but it's all seating (boring) and just because its in a bigger population centre doesn't mean the crowds'll come. The Ebbw Vale Springboks (sorry, Nooport Dragons) themselves have taken 6 years to build up those attendances and you have to accept that there is in Wales a great irrational antipathy from some towards League for events of 30 years ago, even though the tables are now reversed and Union is doing exactly the same. Do I believe Leighton Samuel, if he moves us to Nooport will bring us back to Bridgend for our promised new Stadium? Hell no! If we leave Bridgend, I reckon we'll stay gone.

Unfortunately the town of Bridgend does not deserve top level sport because the majority of the allegedly sports loving population only get of their arrises for big matches.

Newport isn't all seater. It has terracing on each side of the pitch.

: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:46 pm  

ajhcrusader wrote:

I think it is. We already have the Bridgend Blue Bulls, who previous to CC were offered a place in NL2, and are consistently one of the best teams in the Welsh Conference.

They were?

I thought the idea was that Cardiff Demons would join the pro ranks.

: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:45 pm  

I stand corrected Crucrucru.
Good cos I don't want to sit down for Leeds.

: Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:45 pm  

Grendel wrote: I stand corrected Crucrucru. Good cos I don't want to sit down for Leeds. Tickets are available here - http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Home.aspx About a third down the page. It's a pity Crusaders can't get a system where we can buy tickets and merchandise online.

Grendel wrote: I stand corrected Crucrucru. Good cos I don't want to sit down for Leeds. Tickets are available here - http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Home.aspx About a third down the page. It's a pity Crusaders can't get a system where we can buy tickets and merchandise online.

: Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:49 am  

Hey if Cardiff Demons want to go pro, then good luck to them! And the Blue Bulls! The Bulls are the better team, but perhaps finance would be better in Cardiff.

You League fans wanted to expand the game in Wales. Looks a bit promising eh? We might not be doing it on the field yet, but there seems to be an increasing impact on the playing front.