Official SMS

[StapleHillPhil]

Sorry to rain on your parade but that's just not going to happen. Rovers new ground IS going ahead like it or not and the pitch will be created using the latest in surfaces to allow for the treatment it's going to get from both Football and Rugby.

Dwarfy,

Can you explain how Rovers are funding the stadium? The message being put out is that it's self funding but that doesn't make much sense. Other than £Xm in grants where else is the £30m coming from? Are UWE stumping up the missing millions in advance? Am I missing the obvious?

[Portishead Red]

No hardship Mate. Cousins eh? Unfortunately there's sod all you can do about them though? Sort of, the unwanted little git that Aunty brings round and you have to share your toys with him (if not your Ground)?

Dwarfy.

thats the spirit mate! You can have the toys that don't work properly (philips) but you cant have the best toy (ashton gate!)

[Dwarfster]

Dwarfy,

Can you explain how Rovers are funding the stadium? The message being put out is that it's self funding but that doesn't make much sense. Other than £Xm in grants where else is the £30m coming from? Are UWE stumping up the missing millions in advance? Am I missing the obvious?

Hmm, not 100% sure on this myself. I think, just think, that a large proportion of it is being funded by the sale of the Student accommodation that makes up a large percentage of the stadium (from what I can gather, these 'flats' are being bought or managed by an organisation specialising in the acquistion of so said sites). With better entertainment facilities such as hospitality and function rooms and the rumour of a small hotel? being encorporated I guess the money is expected to come from and hence re-pay any loans we may have taken out to build the complex. I'm also pretty sure that a grant of some sort has come our way as part of the Ground Improvement Scheme introduced by the FA.

As for residents concerns, BRFC are also introducing a scheme in association with UWE to operate a 'Park and Ride' facility to try and get as many of the fans to park away from the Ground. How much this is going to cost (to the fan/club) is not known to me.

Dwarfy.

[Dwarfster]

thats the spirit mate! You can have the toys that don't work properly (philips) but you cant have the best toy (ashton gate!)

Yea, but bits keep falling off of your toy, like an old Transformer.

Dwarfy.

[Rodney]

Back to the subject, credit to your board for such a prompt response.

Personally I thought we dragged our heels on this!

[Portishead Red]

Yea, but bits keep falling off of your toy, like an old Transformer.

Dwarfy.

Hahahaha, it maybe falling apart but its our toy!

What do you make of the shirt your lot have brought out for the JPT Final??

http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=76955

Scroll down. Shocking!

[Dwarfster]

Hahahaha, it maybe falling apart but its our toy!

What do you make of the shirt your lot have brought out for the JPT Final??

http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=76955

Scroll down. Shocking!

Looks to me like someone's spent an awful lot of time designing and creating these once in a lifetime chance shirts. Either that or they've given the inmates at Horfield free reign with a black felt tip pen.

Dwarfy.

[bartolona]

So once again there will be only OTIB they've never recovered since the last time they left, 18 months can soon change into 24months or longer, are Multiplex building it?

[pdgifford64]

You're going to regret having having Bristol Rugby rather the Bristol Rovers. Extra income will NOT compensate you for the quagmire that will be Ashton Gate after the Rugby Club have played a full season on it. They can and have completely destroyed the playing surface at the Mem. With you going up to the Championship, the last thing you want is to play on a surface comparable to to the Downs.

Good luck.

Dwarfy.

I guess reminding you that the Mem was the home of Bristol Rugby would be a waste of time.

PDG

[pdgifford64]

Dream on all you like about Rovers going bust, perhaps you'd like to fill me in on what's like?

Dwarfy.

The answer to this one is so obvious its painful.

PDG

[pdgifford64]

Thanks,

GL with your playoff push.

PDG

[HambrookRed]

PDG

[inpailer]

A/GATE RED NOT BLUE.....

I HAVE A LARGE GARDEN ROVERS CAN USE FOR A SMALL FEE NOT ON your NELLY MY HOME IS ALL RED TOP TO BOTTOM AND INSIDE OUT

(TO GOOD FOR EM TO)

[pdgifford64]

Hmm, not 100% sure on this myself. I think, just think, that a large proportion of it is being funded by the sale of the Student accommodation that makes up a large percentage of the stadium (from what I can gather, these 'flats' are being bought or managed by an organisation specialising in the acquistion of so said sites). With better entertainment facilities such as hospitality and function rooms and the rumour of a small hotel? being encorporated I guess the money is expected to come from and hence re-pay any loans we may have taken out to build the complex. I'm also pretty sure that a grant of some sort has come our way as part of the Ground Improvement Scheme introduced by the FA.

As for residents concerns, BRFC are also introducing a scheme in association with UWE to operate a 'Park and Ride' facility to try and get as many of the fans to park away from the Ground. How much this is going to cost (to the fan/club) is not known to me.

Dwarfy.

I`ve read all your posts up to this point and, the banter aside, you appear to be very excited about the prospect of your new sports facility. It certainly sounds as though it may become a decent venue. However, in my opinion, you appear to be missing, or ignoring, one key issue.

Surely all these fantastic facilies, perhaps a P&R scheme, are geared up for the rugby and not for 4th div football. Whatever finances you may have perported to have sunk into the Mem your very survival there depends on the continuation of sharing with the Rugby.

While we may have had problems in the past i can assure you our existence is not reliant on hanging on to the coat-tails of another sporting club.

PDG

[inpailer]

I`ve read all your posts up to this point and, the banter aside, you appear to be very excited about the prospect of your new sports facility. It certainly sounds as though it may become a decent venue. However, in my opinion, you appear to be missing, or ignoring, one key issue.

Surely all these fantastic facilies, perhaps a P&R scheme, are geared up for the rugby and not for 4th div football. Whatever finances you may have perported to have sunk into the Mem your very survival there depends on the continuation of sharing with the Rugby.

While we may have had problems in the past i can assure you our existence is not reliant on hanging on to the coat-tails of another sporting club.

PDG

Very true

[Guest DanC]

Sorry to rain on your parade but that's just not going to happen. Rovers new ground IS going ahead like it or not and the pitch will be created using the latest in surfaces to allow for the treatment it's going to get from both Football and Rugby. Unfortunately, Ashtons surface is not set up to accept the sort of treatment a full season of Rugby is going to give you. Do you honestly think after a Rugby game on a wet cold Friday night City are going to be able to put a decent passing game together within 24 hours?

Dream on all you like about Rovers going bust, perhaps you'd like to fill me in on what's like?

Dwarfy.

Just a small matter of finding 30 million then.

[bucksred]

Me? I don't CARE about Rovers, i don't CARE where they play, just so long as it aint at my clubs ground. This pair of JPT matches just made realise what a bunch of utter cnuts support them. and them a "Family Club" too.....

and Dwarfy/Mesa who ever mentioned about how does it feel to go bust? It aint funny, and I wouldnt even wish it on the worst of your dual chipped knuckle dragging no mark sub human fans (Many of which infest your charming forum)

don't go there. ask your former landlords too.

There again has Rovers actually got any ambition? Unlike City and Bristol Rugby Club. Swindle will probably reject you too.

[Dwarfster]

I guess reminding you that the Mem was the home of Bristol Rugby would be a waste of time.

PDG

Well, yes, it is actually. I think the key word here is 'was' the home of Bristol Rugby. Why isn't it anymore? Well, they fell into huge debts, couldn't afford the up-keep anymore and so we bailed them out and legitimally bought the Stadium off of them. I think that's simple enough isn't it?

Dwarfy.

[HambrookRed]

Well, yes, it is actually. I think the key word here is 'was' the home of Bristol Rugby. Why isn't it anymore? Well, they fell into huge debts, couldn't afford the up-keep anymore and so we bailed them out and legitimally bought the Stadium off of them. I think that's simple enough isn't it?

Dwarfy.

You just keep coming back don't you

[Dwarfster]

You just keep coming back don't you

Yea. I'm like half a Butcombe. You just can't get rid of me.

Dwarfy.

[bh_red]

The Memorial Ground is and always will be the Home of Bristol Rugby, the fact is although this ground may look good, it is highly unlikely that it will be completeted within the timescales Rovers want and Rovers are likely to spend another 2 years min outside of Bristol, once again effecting their crowd numbers.

Rebuilding the ground when it actually happens is going to cost large amounts of money, the Real source however of income for the ground isn't Bristol Rovers, it's Corporate and Bristol Rugby. Without Bristol Rugby playing their long-term Rovers are going to get into large money problems when it comes to fully paying for the work that is done.

The fact is though that this Rebuilding process is going to be of benefit probably more so to the Rugby Club than Rovers, they aren't paying for the development, however the development will pay them dividends, with these facilities it will help better players to the club and also increase the likely hood of televised games for the Rugby bring in more money for the rugby club with their TV deals.

Give it 10 years or so and I think Rovers are going to be in a suitation that although they have re-built the ground, due to lack of money for team development due to it being all spent on the ground, they highly likely no longer be sole owners of the ground and it will once again become owned or co-owned by the Bristol Rugby.

and rightly so

[Dwarfster]

The Memorial Ground is and always will be the Home of Bristol Rugby, the fact is although this ground may look good, it is highly unlikely that it will be completeted within the timescales Rovers want and Rovers are likely to spend another 2 years min outside of Bristol, once again effecting their crowd numbers.

Rebuilding the ground when it actually happens is going to cost large amounts of money, the Real source however of income for the ground isn't Bristol Rovers, it's Corporate and Bristol Rugby. Without Bristol Rugby playing their long-term Rovers are going to get into large money problems when it comes to fully paying for the work that is done.

The fact is though that this Rebuilding process is going to be of benefit probably more so to the Rugby Club than Rovers, they aren't paying for the development, however the development will pay them dividends, with these facilities it will help better players to the club and also increase the likely hood of televised games for the Rugby bring in more money for the rugby club with their TV deals.

Give it 10 years or so and I think Rovers are going to be in a suitation that although they have re-built the ground, due to lack of money for team development due to it being all spent on the ground, they highly likely no longer be sole owners of the ground and it will once again become owned or co-owned by the Bristol Rugby.

and rightly so

Prove that. The Stadium will be owned by BRFC. If Bristol Rugby were that wealthy, why do they need to rent someone else's gound off of them? They have had no say in how the Stadium will look or function, what does that tell you? It's Bristol Rovers's Ground and to generate extra income, we will rent the playing surface out to the Rugby. I think you over estimate the spending power of Bristol Rugby. TV deals may all be well and good but where do you think the large proportion of that money is going to go, into Bristol Rugby? Doubtful. Give it 10 years when Bristol Rovers have started to establish the revenue coming in and we'll throw the mighty Bristol Rugby out of our Ground and let them get on with it on their own.

Dwarfy.

[HambrookRed]

Prove that. The Stadium will be owned by BRFC. If Bristol Rugby were that wealthy, why do they need to rent someone else's gound off of them? They have had no say in how the Stadium will look or function, what does that tell you? It's Bristol Rovers's Ground and to generate extra income, we will rent the playing surface out to the Rugby. I think you over estimate the spending power of Bristol Rugby. TV deals may all be well and good but where do you think the large proportion of that money is going to go, into Bristol Rugby? Doubtful. Give it 10 years when Bristol Rovers have started to establish the revenue coming in and we'll throw the mighty Bristol Rugby out of our Ground and let them get on with it on their own.

Dwarfy.

not meaning to fuel an already raging fire, but what are your thoughts on having this "stadium" with your fan base at present....don't you worry it will be pretty much empty most of the time ?

[Dwarfster]

not meaning to fuel an already raging fire, but what are your thoughts on having this "stadium" with your fan base at present....don't you worry it will be pretty much empty most of the time ?

Very much so. Stadium will hold 18,500. Last week with 3 games at home the total attendance came to no more than 13,000 at the most. I try and convince myself that it's expensive for the average fan to have spent at least £30.00 on a Millenium Ticket a few days before and then 3 home games on the trot costing £14.00 per game, but you're correct, it's going to look like a Bolton reserves match most of the time.

Dwarfy.

[bh_red]

Prove that. The Stadium will be owned by BRFC. If Bristol Rugby were that wealthy, why do they need to rent someone else's gound off of them? They have had no say in how the Stadium will look or function, what does that tell you? It's Bristol Rovers's Ground and to generate extra income, we will rent the playing surface out to the Rugby. I think you over estimate the spending power of Bristol Rugby. TV deals may all be well and good but where do you think the large proportion of that money is going to go, into Bristol Rugby? Doubtful. Give it 10 years when Bristol Rovers have started to establish the revenue coming in and we'll throw the mighty Bristol Rugby out of our Ground and let them get on with it on their own.

Dwarfy.

It's quite simple.

Who is more likely to fill the ground on a more regualar Basis?

Bristol Rugby - they have already used the Gate on a number of occasions for larger capacity games, at the Mem Ground they will be able to have more fans come to the ground which means more ticket income.

Who is more likely to have a higher income from TV revenue?

Bristol Rugby - As a top flight side and one that this season has been in the higher reaches of the Premiership they get alot of National Exposure on TV, they are actually the Regions most succesful sporting side along with the Gloucestershire

who has the lower outlay?

Bristol Rugby Rugby wages are alot lower than Rovers as the player in general earn alot less meaning although they will be gaining higher incomings their outgoings will be relativly the same.

Bristol Rugby is a MAJOR source of income for Rovers and without them they are alot worse of, Bristol Rovers needs the Rugby Club alot more than the Rugby Club needs Rovers, in the next few years will the development costs needed for the New Ground and the outlay for having to play at another ground, it's going to put any club at a finanical disadvantage, let alone finding more money for players and wages

It could well be a case that of Rovers having the Best ground in non league football by the time they actually move into the ground and they have to sell a share back to the Rugby Club just to survive.

[Dwarfster]

You appear to be quite dismissive of Bristol RFC despite the fact that they attract far more fans than your football team - over twice as many on most occasions, and over 21,000 when they played at Ashton gate.

It seems to me as if you lot are the tail wagging the dog.

I agree with PDG and bh_red in that the Gas appear to be playing into the hands of their bigger, better supported tenants in supplying them with a stadium which the Gas will not be able to pay for, and when that comes home to roost the Rugby club will bail them out. Similar to what happened previously but in reverse, and this time the Rugby gets to own a purpose built stadium for next to nothing.

Well that's just your opinion though isn't it? Bristol Rovers have share holders, just like you, so if push comes to shove, Bristol Rugby would have to pay them off and their considerable contribution to the Ground. How are Bristol Rugby going to afford that when they couldn't even afford to keep the Mem in it's currnet condition running? You say 'next to nothing'. Don't you think debts have to be written off in order for a ground take-over or do you think that although a Company owes £30 million and has this tied up in ground assets you can just wander in and buy it for a cheap rate?

[Dwarfster]

It's quite simple.

Who is more likely to fill the ground on a more regualar Basis?

Bristol Rugby - they have already used the Gate on a number of occasions for larger capacity games, at the Mem Ground they will be able to have more fans come to the ground which means more ticket income.

Who is more likely to have a higher income from TV revenue?

Bristol Rugby - As a top flight side and one that this season has been in the higher reaches of the Premiership they get alot of National Exposure on TV, they are actually the Regions most succesful sporting side along with the Gloucestershire

who has the lower outlay?

Bristol Rugby Rugby wages are alot lower than Rovers as the player in general earn alot less meaning although they will be gaining higher incomings their outgoings will be relativly the same.

Bristol Rugby is a MAJOR source of income for Rovers and without them they are alot worse of, Bristol Rovers needs the Rugby Club alot more than the Rugby Club needs Rovers, in the next few years will the development costs needed for the New Ground and the outlay for having to play at another ground, it's going to put any club at a finanical disadvantage, let alone finding more money for players and wages

It could well be a case that of Rovers having the Best ground in non league football by the time they actually move into the ground and they have to sell a share back to the Rugby Club just to survive.

You are joking. Without us, they'd be playing on the Downs.

[HambrookRed]

You are joking. Without us, they'd be playing on the Downs.

Why don't we all just share one big ground in broadmead and live happily ever after.....

[giles_23_bcfc]

Why don't we all just share one big ground in broadmead and live happily ever after.....

And then we can all go back to our homes wearing our white jackets that are the wrong way round and very tightly done up so we cant move our arms or anything.

[HambrookRed]

And then we can all go back to our homes wearing our white jackets that are the wrong way round and very tightly done up so we cant move our arms or anything.

That would be our new "shared" kit.

:noexpression: