March 27, 2005

Glasgow Warriors bound for Stirling?

Posted by Editor on March 27, 2005 02:45 AM | 5 comments | Print | E-mail author

Glasgow Warriors could be moving to Forthbank Stadium - home of Stirling Albion Football Club
Today's Scotland on Sunday reports that there is a radical big-money proposal to buy a pro team and move it to Stirling, with Glasgow the team likely to make the move.

Iain Morrison reports that the proposal was made to the SRU back in the middle of February. It is not a franchise deal but rather a simple purchase of a pro-team by a company formed for that purpose, which would see the consortium take over and run one of Scotland's three professional teams.

According to Morrison, no formal reply has yet been received from the game's governing body but the early indications are that, pending some hard bargaining, the bid is likely to be approved.

What will be of particular interest to Glasgow supporters is that the proposal includes a section stating that the company set up to acquire the pro-team reserves the right to relocate the team for reasons of facilities and commercial purposes.

This has led to fevered rumours about the final location of the team, with speculation currently centring upon Stirling.

The consortium claims that no decision on location has been made, but sources close to the group claim they visited Stirling Albion's ground at Forthbank and declared it an appropriate venue. The close proximity of all the added facilities at Stirling University and the Scottish Institute of Sport only adds to the argument.

Morrison goes on to claim that the dressing room at Glasgow Warriors has been abuzz with talk about Stirling for several weeks now and one source suggested that the three Glasgow coaches have also cast their collective eye over Albion's facilities.

The other factor in the equation is Kenny Logan. Kenny still has a couple of months to run on his SRU/Glasgow contract but he is rumoured to be joining the consortium this summer.

You can read Iain Morrison's article here

Comments
Posted by Envy on March 27, 2005 04:36 AM | Reply to this comment

Well I don't know about anyone else but I'm personally coming to the end of my tether with being a rugby fan in Scotland. It just seams to be one huge let down after another and no-one seems willing to change it. I love the sport but I am growing weary of all this behind the scenes secret activity and unprofessional behaviour. Nothing seems to be structured and now, if this is accurate, the Glasgow set-up will move to Stirling. Well bully for Stirling and that area. Where the hell does this leave us? Perhaps HB75 could have maybe let us know that they wanted it too move to Glasgow as he was fair enough to tell us to expect a shocker from Logan.

I'm just losing the will to follow the sport now. People out here spend good money wanting Glasgow to play well and all that is asked is some professionalsm by the Union heads. I'm just growing sick of hearing one bad news story after the other. Sorry to sound depressed but this really is becoming a torture. I can't believe that all this has runed the enjoyment of the game for me...and I'm only 23!

Posted by Envy on March 27, 2005 04:50 AM | Reply to this comment

I must just add though that I think their intervention could save Scottish Rugby. I just wish they wouldn't take my side away with them...

Posted by hugh on March 27, 2005 09:59 AM | Reply to this comment

This is what you voted for pro rugby franchising just like the good old USofA

Posted by Alan on March 27, 2005 12:46 PM | Reply to this comment

Most of this sounds like what we have been asking for at Glasgow ..but at Glasgow!

Posted by Highlandbrave75 on March 27, 2005 12:27 PM | Reply to this comment

I heard yesterday about this venture from people within Stirling County. Seemingly it's been raging since before the Six Nations campaign with Scotland.

Seems that the Scotstoun scenario has hit a brick wall and the old North & Midlands District has been promised a side since pro inception.

Then there's the fact the old Glasgow/Caledonian team which played in Stirling on Friday evenings the crowds were well above those which are being attracted at the moment in Glasgow.

I know more players than usual, from Stirling County are looking at contracts with pro teams in Scotland just now. Maybe another indication?

Will try and find out more.

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