There was only 8,000 peoples at the cruciall Cardiff Vs Racing Metro game in Cardiff yesterday which i believe was the second lowest attendance at any of the HC games over the weekend . Some supporters these Welsh if other Rugby supporters were like them the HC would be dead and buried long ago
The National Sheep shagging finals were on in Llanelli instead
"Change is inevitable. Change is constant." - Benjamin Disraeli
"It seems that perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away" Antoine de Saint Exupéry
20 pages
I am the million man.
a friend of mine from swansea told me it was £35 to see ospreys.... more expensive than seeing swansea in premier league...
Amazing really, when even in the 90s you'd fill the Arms Park with a Llanelli v Neath Swalec Cup final and the like. Even with the Welsh RWC performance, you'd think they'd get out and support the HC teams.Originally Posted by Out Half
Not true, tickets available from £20 for both Cardiff and Ospreys. Welsh supporters are just ****e.
\"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness\".
Dalai Lama
Yeah, as a Blues fan I must agree that support is s-hite for the Welsh regional sides. The reason being a muddle of the following reasons. (hastily made and may be added to when I have time)
1. Discontent with the regional setup in general. Welsh rugby supporters are either very parochial (their valley) or very nationalistic, the new 'regions' dont mean squat to most of the old guard fans apart from perhaps the scarlets. There is little sense of community or belonging. Ponty fans find it very hard to even consider supporting 'Cardiff' Blues and in the same way Neath / Swansea / Bridgend etc etc.
2. The recent move to newer grounds. Cardiff are without a 'home' and are renting an oversized shed with "nice toilets" for huge money. Stadiums geared around access by car was always going to be a mistake, especially in Cardiff. Also the removal of terraces was a mistake, Welsh rugby fans like to socialise and banter on the terrace.
3. Its on the telly at home/clubhouse/pub, they've paid for sky, and a lot fans won't travel. They can go down the clubhouse and have a nice pint, a cheap meal and banter with their mates for half the price of the ticket alone.
4. Club Wales. The biggest club in Wales. A lot of people follow the national side exclusively. (this could be the main reason)
4.5 The media coverage - are biased towards the national side. Even the paper articles about the regions are ultimately about how it affects the national side.
5. Money. A lot of fans are quite poor. Getting rid of the terrace was a stupid idea as was moving the stadiums further from central rail and bus stations.
6. Swingers.... Swing supporters that switch to soccer when times are good and vice versa especially in Swansea and Cardiff. Other sports also draw from the support especially in Cardiff.
7. Other reasons...
Last edited by Huwie; 24th-January-2012 at 12:27. Reason: Swingers
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
http://www.pets.ie/blog/1424_irish-woman-dies-after-sex-with-alsatian.html
I hear she was a dogged Munster supporter
Last edited by Huwie; 24th-January-2012 at 12:37.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
"Last edited by Huwie; Today at 12:27. Reason: Swingers"
Best edit reason ever!
Ronan O'Gara ... Il va le faire! IL LE FAIT, C'EST INCROYABLE, CE JOUEUR EST PHÉNOMÉNAL!!
_______________________________________________
There's nothin' strange about an axe with bloodstains in the barn
There's always some killin' you got to do around the farm
Am sure there's been a thread or three about this before...
But will agree with all points Huwie has written above and most especially with number 4 - Club Wales, I feel, being the main reason. Cardiff on a Wales match day is the nearest thing I can describe the atmosphere to what Limerick is like on a HCup day. You only need to look back as to how we managed to fill the Millenium Stadium to watch a game being played on the other side of the world - this can only be compared as to how O'Connell St was full that HCup final day.
Many rugby supporters in Wales don't really support a region - they tend to support the local team and then Wales - easier access, less politics maybe? Not entirely sure why but know that my Dad and brother fall into this category (though they have now also been shouting for Munster for the past few seasons!!).
"The trouble with resisting temptation is that you may not get another chance"
Edwin Chapin (1857 - 1942)
yes, this is a massive reason.... we are quite lucky with our provincial royalties.......
He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
On another note there was nearly 27,000 spectators at the Cardiff City Vs Crystal Palace in Cardiff last night . Maybe this explains the low turnout at the Heineken Cup game on Sunday , Is football taking over from Rugby in Wales /Cardiff ?
Not too sure about Ospreys (possibly a Cat A ticket?) but a home match ticket for the Swans is £35....
We’ve lost seven of our last eight matches. Only team that we’ve beaten was Western Samoa. Good job we didn’t play the whole of Samoa.
Gareth Davies (1989)
On the Munster pack: \"Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire.\" - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
I heard the dog was Welsh...
\"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness\".
Dalai Lama
I lived in Cardiff up to recently and would regularly head down to City Stadium for the blues games, only £20 too, the stadium was alway 1/4 full if that and at times you could hear a pin drop but it was so dead, such a shame, because the games at arms park has a much more lively atmosphere and it actually felt like you were at 'Cardiffs ground'... Shame... but hasnt the chairman said recently that theres no chance of a move back, that theyre committed to ground sharing for the future!
On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
I wish I'd known that.....
Damning statistic from Guardian Article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...?newsfeed=true):
"Munster attracted a crowd of 25,600 for their final Heineken Cup group game against Castres.
The three Welsh regions taking part in the Heineken Cup, Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues, attracted between them in their last pool matches 23,371 spectators."
According to the article, in spite of all Sky's support and sponsorship, rugby in England seems to be in the absolute, financial mire...
Last edited by Jandek; 26th-January-2012 at 13:00.
But Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues are in Wales?
I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat
On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
gob****e.
4 Feb 2011 - Gilmore on the General Election
"Frankfurts way or Labours way."
28 Feb 2012 - Gilmore on a yes vote for the fiscal treaty
"A vote for economic stability and a vote for economic recovery."
I'm guessing you resisted the temptation to describe him as odious, slanderous, malicious, a disgrace to the jersey and an embarrassment to the sport. How I wish I had your self-control.
Ronan O'Gara ... Il va le faire! IL LE FAIT, C'EST INCROYABLE, CE JOUEUR EST PHÉNOMÉNAL!!
_______________________________________________
There's nothin' strange about an axe with bloodstains in the barn
There's always some killin' you got to do around the farm
Well if you read the welsh papers, all they go on about is, how were Wales going to cope without the 'creative genius' that was Shane Williams!!! hahaha Welsh Papers!!
On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
Interesting... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16927009
Cardiff Blues are to return to play at Cardiff Arms Park, facing Connacht there in the Pro12 League on Friday. The Blues moved from the Arms Park to Cardiff City Stadium in 2009. Blues chief executive Richard Holland said:
"There are no long term plans in place to move back to the Arms Park permanently. However, we have listened to what our supporters are saying and it should be a great occasion to play this match at the Arms Park."
More to follow.
"The trouble with resisting temptation is that you may not get another chance"
Edwin Chapin (1857 - 1942)
Situation is definately being looked at... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16919066 with Week In Week Out on BBC One Wales tonight at 22:35
Rugby regions in Wales facing funding change
Professional rugby in Wales could face another shake-up, with some regions receiving more funding than others. The four regions are losing money and failing to attract fans, but the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has been committed to maintaining four professional sides. However, in an interview for BBC Wales, the WRU chief executive said the funding model could change.
An independent review, to be published next month, is looking at the finances of regional rugby. All four regions currently receive £3.5m each for television and funding from the WRU. But the accounts show they have all been losing money, partly because they have not been able to attract enough fans to games. Chief executive Roger Lewis admitted the way regions were funded could change.
"You could have four different models, four different relationships with the WRU, and that is something that I have discussed informally with the regions over the last year," he said.
When asked whether this would mean three regions receiving equal funding, and a fourth region receiving less funding, Mr Lewis replied: "The permutations could be greater than that. It could be one and three, two and two or three and one. We've got to come up with the best solution for all of Welsh rugby."
Stuart Gallacher, chief executive of Regional Rugby Wales, also admitted change was needed.
"We all have to realise, put our hands up and say the way we ran it in the past as individual regions and clubs before that is no longer sustainable," he said. "We have to look at different ways of running the professional game in Wales."
Bridgend and Wales rugby fan Steve Hughes, from Coity near Bridgend, said he struggled to support his regional side, the Ospreys.
"I feel that what we've got is a lost generation of fans who haven't bought into regional rugby, who have other things to do and who haven't got that connection with their regions. That's something we need to look at," he said.
"The trouble with resisting temptation is that you may not get another chance"
Edwin Chapin (1857 - 1942)
They are only mad to get back there.
"It is understood he received offers from other clubs to continue playing for another year or two but preferred to finish his career with Munster."
Charlie Mulqueen on Mick O'Driscoll's impending retirement
17/04/2012
That's a bit of a turn around, werent they only saying last month that city stadium was the future, and that a move back would not be in the blues future plans at all! How things change!! It'd be great, much better atmosphere in arms park!
On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
I'd wonder if the weather may have had a part to play in the decision to move to the Arms park this weekend .. it's in the centre of the city so presumably would be at less risk of freezing soil or supporters, though I'd hope the cardiff city stadium would have undersoil heating given how new it is.
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
With the welsh game in Cardiff at the weekend, itll probably draw a few more fans out to the match in arms park!
On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
Delme Parfitt: Cardiff Blues fans need sense of reality over Arms Park
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Cardiff Blues run out at the Arms Park
FOR a couple of hours on Friday night, Blues fans disgruntled about the move to Cardiff City Stadium were in heaven.
Completely out of the blue (no pun intended), they found themselves back at their spiritual home, the Arms Park, following the region’s bizarre decision to move back there to stage the Connacht game.
The supporters weren’t alone in their joy, with the Blues players greeting news of the switch in the same way a holidaymaker would greet an upgrade from three to five-star accommodation.
That was no real surprise because it’s an open secret the squad don’t care for playing at Leckwith. Well, would you want to play in an atmosphere like that if you were a rugby professional?
I hope they, and the fans, had a good night after the 22-15 win, but I think the Blues hierarchy are playing with fire on this.
The decision smacked of desperation to me, as if the powers-that-be had surveyed the paltry number of tickets sold for the visit of the unfashionable Irish province and just decided: “We’ve got to do something.”
It’s hard to explain why else the Blues, having been repeatedly adamant they were staying put at Cardiff City Stadium, decided on such a radical course of action.
One thing seems certain to me; if the Blues want the diehards who have been staying away to buy into the match experience at the ground they share with the football club, then going back to the Arms Park, even for one game, is not the way to do it.
I can hear the conversations among supporters leaving on Friday now.
Supporter One: “Wasn’t it great to be back at the old place?”
Supporter Two: “Oh yes, fantastic atmosphere, so much better than at the football ground.
Supporter One: “Yes, it just shows how daft it is that we play there.
Supporter Two: “I agree, I won’t be going back while they’re playing there.”
Give people a taste of what they’re missing, and they’ll only want more.
In principle, I’m not against the Blues taking matches to different venues. I’d have no truck with them going to Sardis Road once in a while too, even if some of the Pontypridd faithful could never bring themselves to turn up.
But given the lease they have at Cardiff City Stadium, the commitment they’ve made to playing there and the resources that have been invested in trying to convince everyone that it’s for the best, events like Friday night’s sojourn back to the Arms Park cannot be a long-term solution for poor attendances.
For all that the Arms Park remains one of the iconic Welsh rugby venues, for all that it carries that unique city-centre charm, whether it is still suitable for top flight modern rugby and the family audience that the game now seeks to attract, is debatable.
There is no car parking, food and drink outlets are sparse, there’s nowhere to go and stand in the warm at half-time, and the toilet facilities in some parts of the ground belong back in the amateur era.
Furthermore, problems with the very concrete structure of the venue are well-documented.
There are those who are convinced Friday night is a forerunner to a permanent move back to the Arms Park. It’s possible, but remember they have entered into a 20-year lease at Cardiff City Stadium which does not have a break clause.
Neither party has disclosed the precise cost of the rental agreement, but it is understood, with other maintenance and running costs, it is north of £500,000.
If the Blues were to try and exit now, they would be legally required to pay the Bluebirds a huge sum.
Some would argue there is a moral dimension to this, that Cardiff City were only ever able to win approval from the council on its business plan for the ground, in part, due to the decision of the Blues to become tenants, making the financial situation sounder.
But it is understood if the Blues hadn’t moved, the council still would have gifted the land to the Bluebirds as sole occupants.
Why, you have to wonder, did the Blues not insert a get-out clause in case the move didn’t work? Only they can answer that.
The other dimension to all this is that Blues still have 12 years left to run on the agreement they have to lease the Arms Park from owners Cardiff Athletic Club, with the car parking charges being an important source of revenue which helps fund the rent they pay to Cardiff City.
Any sale of the Arms Park in the near future – and it is a prime location coveted by property developers and the WRU – could therefore net the Blues in the region of £5m as a cut of a deal worth, say, £10m, given that they could claim lost revenue from the car park of around £400,000 for 12 years.
But the longer the venue remains a white elephant, then the less they will stand to make from any possible sell-off.
Therefore, is it in the Blues’ long-term interests to once again make the Arms Park their home?
As the Americans say, do the math.
Friday night might have been one for the romantics.
But reality is likely to bite back soon enough.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyna...#ixzz1mDdBU38l
On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)
ulster game will be in arms park too
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