Rich

I was talking to one of the few today over dinner, he was convinced their future is bright because, they now have serious money behind them. By serious, he says "they own the bank of Jordan and a group of hotels". He claimed the club now owned 29 acres of land at Almondsbury for their training ground, that Higgs had agreed a poor package with UWE and, that's why it's been held up negotiating a new deal and, they only have to sell the rugby ground to help finance the new ground, as their new owners would finance the rest.

I tried my best to put him right on his new owners wealth. Informed him that they didn't own the land at Almondsbury (the rugby club academy does), that they'd put the application in because, they'd probably gain grants from the FA for the cost of some of the works. That his clubs wealthy new owner was trying but with not much success, to get finance elsewhere and, to not hold his breath for a new stadium, just yet. This is the person who, just over two years ago, informed me that the work on their new stadium was starting next month (September). He is like so many of their followers, blissfully unaware of their situation and, too frightened to ask questions for fear of finding out the reality.

Of course, I don't know the real situation but, I seem to know more than him. But then again, they are so insular that nobody is allowed to question the goings on at their club, for fear of being branded a gert shed and being banned from their forum. Still he's happy that they're going to catch us up soon. 

Oh yes, he also claimed we'd not get more than twenty thousand in the championship.

Think it was season of 68/9, Sat April 12th 69, beat them 2-0. Next meeting at AG was a tuesday. There were definitely some wearing yellow hard hats. That was the prelude to some city fans wearing red hard hats at Eastville when we took the Tote end in a night match winning 5-0, If I remember correctly. No doubt a stato can confirm the matches and scores. I remember one match losing by 4 goals to Oxford around those years, just looked it up, (Sat 10th Oct), then I was ejected by a copper known by us as Piggy, just because I'd smacked an Oxford fan in the side of the head for cheering a goal. 

Anyway, back on topic. How long before the official announcements on the UWE South Glos Bowl? 

Perhaps they'll have a feasibility study on when best to announce some news.

In My opinion, if the Merchant Venturers are doing their best to scupper this plan and return ownership of the Rugby Ground back to the rightful owners, then that will be the best thing they've ever done for the city of Bristol. And Rovers can **** off to Yate and engine common, where all the commoners go.

1 hour ago, bert tann said:

 

You may be right and I suspect  the UWE, the MV's, South Gloucestershire Council and many others within what might be termed Bristol's elite know the score as well.

Old Nicholas with his Bentley and big talk was, I believe, fair game for a bit of fun because he was so thick skinned and right till the very end most Rovers fans were convinced he knew what he was doing. In a way of course he did because his priority by that time was to extricate himself with as minimal loss of his own cash as possible.

Wael on the other hand is not so easy to satirize because he comes across as such a kind and gentle man who is undoubtedly passionate about football. I thought the TV programme from Jordan exposed some unusual aspects relating to the background to the takeover and I have heard Wael's style of his communication with fans (highlighted recently on the Rovers forum) is odd to say the least. He doesn't appear to be a strong character or dynamic businessman and I wonder if anyone ever asked what he has actually achieved during his long career at the AJIB ? Why, if he is such a key executive there, does he have so much time to float around the  world of football ?

My erstwhile mate "Oldgas" on the Rovers forum is understandably getting upset with the team's recent form but, just as in Nicholas's time, he and his compatriots are choosing to deliberately turn a blind eye to the club's lack of leadership. The manager is pleading for understanding, and hinting strongly that the 17th highest budget in league one is not what he was promised, but where are the Chairman and President ?  

What will happen when South Gloucestershire give the go ahead for the training ground but the money cannot be found ?

If ever there was a case for fan ownership I think Rovers are it because, despite some slight exaggeration at times, we really do have the numbers to make it viable. 

Plus of course we (Rovers I mean) own the Memorial Stadium and surely no one who is a genuine and passionate football fan would ever consider taking that away from us ?  

     

  

Of course not Bert. Who on earth would dream up such a scheme to rob the club of their spiritual home. A home which they have resided at for over a hundred years? What despicable group of people could do such a thing?

I thought the major shareholder (Wael) owned it. If only he'd give it to the fans, as some have been asking, for more than a few years.

52 minutes ago, Coombsy said:

.

The Bristol Rovers Supporters Club AGM on Thursday 17th November 2016 will not proceed as planned.

Our sincere apologies for postponing the Annual General Meeting for a second time.

The process of auditing the Bristol Rovers Supporters Club financial accounts is not yet complete.

In these circumstances, we have no alternative but to postpone the planned meeting.

As soon as the financial accounts are fully audited we will publish them on the BRSC website.

We are sorry that we are postponing the AGM again and we hope to announce a new date for the AGM soon.

 

has he skimmed the money pot ? 

 

And gone to the Honey pot.

6 hours ago, SalisburyRed said:

which is the gnome please?

Obvious, the one with the stupid expression.

2 minutes ago, slartibartfast said:

Can't be the slags, count the number f fingers !

Yes but there is a big pr1ck there.

2 hours ago, Smaller than a flea said:

Well, you've got a massive corporate "BRISTOL" emblazoned on the Dolman seats, so someone isn't too concerned about the identity of the football club.

Remind me, how is the UWE South Glos Bowl coming on?

1 hour ago, glynriley said:

Good luck fitting BRISTOL on this pile of shite...

Bristol is to blame for a lot of their problems, so they wouldn't use Bristols name to promote their club!  They once started a political party to oppose the city council in the local elections, because the council (Bristol) were not going to let them have a new ground at Mangotsfield, (South Gloucestershire). Couldn't make it up, could you?

I can't wait until the new owner puts his personal stamp on the club and returns them to the past, by renaming them, "The Black Arabs". I can see it now sprayed on the walls of Lockleaze, The Black Arabshit squad.

1 hour ago, Hello said:

As far as I am aware Rovers have never had anything to do with it

 

The site for Bristol Rovers' proposed new training ground has been revealed in planning documents that have been published online.

Chairman Steve Hamer revealed last week that 29 acres of land in an unnamed location had been identified and a South Gloucestershire planning application has now confirmed that Colony Farm in Hortham Lane, Almondsbury is the site Rovers are proposing to develop new training facilities on.


In the document, which was submitted on August 31, Rovers are named as the applicant and are seeking the green light to carry through to completion on a historical planning application that was approved for the 'erection of clubhouse, floodlights and store.' The plan also includes 'construction of vehicular and pedestrian access and car park'.

Planning permission for a similar use of the site was granted in 2001 but the development of training facilities by Bristol Combination Trustees – the original applicant – was never completed and the land, which currently has marked out football pitches, has since been used to house local amateur football clubs.


The site in Hortham Lane where the new training ground is planned

The club's decision to see the project through to completion depends on the removal of two conditions that were attached to the original planning permission that prohibited use of the facilities before 6pm during school term time.

They have also submitted justification for the removal of a condition that limits use of the site only to the previous applicant for non-professional and Under 18s matches unless a written request for consent is submitted to the council.


The plans are believed to include the construction of facilities that would initially meet Category 3 Academy status with the possibility of applying for upgrade to Category 2 status in the longer-term.

Rovers' first team has been a tenant at the Lawns - a 15-acre site that was previously owned by AXA – in Henbury since 2012, while the youth and academy sides are housed some 3 miles away at the Golden Hill Training Centre in Horfield.

The lease on that site expires in March and the club is keen to house their first-team and all of their age-group sides under the same roof at the proposed new training facility.
 

Couple of questions.

1. Do the trustees of Bristol Combination still own the land? An applicant for PP does not need to own the land.

2. If the land is owned By Bristol Combination Trustees, will a similar tale to the Memorial ground ownership fiasco ensue?

3 minutes ago, downendcity said:

1200 posts?

That qualifies him for tickets in the top tier of the Lansdown Stand doesn't it?

 

600 of those were double posts, 300 treble posts and the other 300 were saying how pleased he is with his clubs position and standing, which most supporters at the Memorial Ground do, as there's only so many patio seats allowed on the terracing. 

8 minutes ago, Iron Man said:

Please spare a thought for this sag who'd rather spend money on a ticket going to Ashton Gate then go to Southend away.

So, James Dace has admitted pissing on the floor at Ashton Gate and, actually posted a picture of himself doing it. Only a thick as pigshit gashead could do such a thing and be so Prowed. 

1 minute ago, Kim_il_sung said:

the c****ts are blatantly going to spawn a result out of this now.

Probably get an opposition player sent off and a dodgy last minute penalty. Strange how frequently that happens!

2 hours ago, Philgas said:

What gap ? 

As I occasionally remind you and that you constantly forget, the one between your ears.

ITV were at it again tonight.

They re-ran an interview with Wael, carried out over a week ago. They described him as the  "BILLIONAIRE" owner of BRFC and how the football season was about to start with great expectations, non more so than at Rovers. Again he stated that "they will make announcements" when there is any news about the new stadium. Meaning his henchmen, deployed to break the bad news.

I can hear it now. "Unfortunately the original contract with UWE was not as first imagined and would have left the club with insurmountable debts. We tried to renegotiate the deal but, UWE were not willing to negotiate. Our owner is very sad at the outcome but can't comment as he is away on business. I and my team have worked tirelessly for the club but feel it's future now lies in the hands of others to achieve it's potential". 

3 minutes ago, Philgas said:

Older than the hills 

What Benny and Jimmy?

11 minutes ago, Philgas said:

 

 

It won't let me put Up The Gas it changed everytime i  posted and turned into those disgusting other letters  !! .. I'm smiling as it was an error and wasn't meant to come out that way .. glad you were entertained by my bad 

My Bad? Just how old are you?

1 hour ago, Taxi for Rennie said:

Has anyone mentioned them sealing the ground off the rugby team for a while??

I don't suppose they installed a Gashead as chairman of the Rugby club (Arthur Holmes), who leant the Rugby chaps some money to build a stand they couldn't afford. Then, once it was found they couldn't repay him what he was owed, he sold half of the ground to BRFC owners Dunceford and son, who then paid £10k for the other half because the rugby club had gone bankrupt. The club put into liquidation by the Rovers supporting rugby club chairman, who'd taken the £2m original selling price money leaving the rugby club with nowt. Some say the other directors were sweetened with some land at Filton, and the rugby club chairman was made a lifelong president of BRFC, for his services to BRFC.

Is that what you're referring to?

As soon as they have something to announce, "they will announce it". Distancing?

3 minutes ago, Philgas said:

All will be revealed soon .. say no more

OK but, only if you do as well.

3 minutes ago, Philgas said:

You may mock ... but ... we have a plan. .. watch this space folks 

Would that be the space between the ears, that developed, or imagined the said plan?

You are confused, you don't have a plan, you have a "Pan", it's been moved to behind the terrace for your convenience. 

10 hours ago, Moor2Sea said:

That is a garden shed to the left of the container?

Got to give it to The Gas, a worthy effort to raise the standard of their facilities. 

I understand they are trying to recreate a period in time when they had great success. They are now transforming the Memorial Ground into "Azteca Twerton".

6 minutes ago, Philgas said:

I'm at work and bored 

Have you tried doing some work?

19 city posts and 11 Gas posts on this one page. Phil, do yourself a favour and have a rest.

54 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

They are used to that, when they sold Eastville to the greyhound company that retained ownership of the turnstiles apparently.

So they could fiddle the figures.

16 minutes ago, Doozerchris said:

Like a caravan then ..?

Or a tent, similar to where they are presently.