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July 04, 2006

Logan sees a gap in the market

Posted by Editor on July 4, 2006 12:01 AM | 9 comments | Print | E-mail author

Kenny Logan in Glasgow colours. Now he wants to move the team out of the city
Kenny Logan believes that a professional rugby team based in central Scotland has the potential to emulate the commercial success enjoyed by transplanted Guinness Premiership sides London Wasps and London Irish.

Both clubs have seen attendances and sponsorship revenues increase dramatically since they relocated from the capital to outlying venues.

Logan's old side, Wasps, now play their home fixtures at the Causeway Stadium in High Wycombe, while London Irish ground share with Barclays FA Premiership newcomers Reading at the Madjeski Stadium.

Logan is part of the Graham Burgess-led consortium which is negotiating to buy a controlling interest in one of the SRU-funded pro teams, with Glasgow their preferred franchise option.

The Warriors currently play their home games at Firhill, but if a deal can be struck with the Union, Burgess will look to move the side to Stirling's Forthbank Stadium, Perth's McDiarmid Park or Falkirk Community Stadium.

"There is no sport in these areas which dominates like football does in the cities' Logan told the Daily Mail, explaining the raison d'etre behind Burgess' thinking.

"For a rugby team to have a chance of attracting a new generation of supporters you have to go into an area, or a community, where there is a gap in the market.

"When Wasps went to High Wycombe, people were sceptical, but attendances have doubled.

"The only London-based rugby team that continues to draw decent crowds is Harlequins. But they have a long, well-established history at The Stoop - and they don't have a dominant football team on their doorstep like Rangers or Celtic.

"In a Scottish rugby context, if Edinburgh played Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on the same day as Hearts were at home in the SPL, where do you think the public interest would lie? Most people would rather go to see Hearts.

"I think the commercial opportunities for a rugby team in Stirling, Perth or Falkirk are huge." Logan insists a regional location can pay off, despite the commercial failure of the SRU-backed Borders team in Galashiels. He says the Borders, in common with Edinburgh and Glasgow, have been hamstrung by a serious lack of marketing commitment.

"When I played for Glasgow a couple of years ago, we had one marketing officer. We need to have at least five of these guys to go out and sell the club," Logan added.

"Despite their poor crowds, I believe the Borders could still work commercially - it just needs the right level of commitment from the owners to make it happen.

"The time-scale, if we are to have something up and running for next season, is pretty tight," Logan admitted. "But I feel we can deliver on our blueprint should we get the green light in the next few weeks.

"I am not in this to make money. None of us are. We just want to make a difference.

"I am fed up with people slagging off Scottish rugby. People down south see our clubs losing in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League and think we are a laughing stock. I feel we can break the mould and create a team the public and sponsors will get behind."

Comments
Posted by A True Warrior on July 4, 2006 09:01 AM | Reply to this comment

That’s right there's a huge gap in the market!! No one in the central belt supports either Rangers or Celtic, it's simply not true that there are probably more people boarding supporters buses in the central belt to travel through to Glasgow and watch Rangers and Celtic than watch local football and rugby teams!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by ajm686 on July 4, 2006 10:20 AM | Reply to this comment

There may be more to the Wasps and Irish situation that location like the quality of the teams/league/infrastructure, not to mention sponsorship and investment?

Moving from the largest population centre in Scotland seems a bit strange...still it is difficult to be too hard on this proposal as it may be the only realistic way of keeping three pro teams in Scotland!

Warriors for Glasgow!

Posted by Phall on July 4, 2006 12:15 PM | Reply to this comment

It is interesting even if I don't agree with him.
What he hasn't addressed or appear to have been asked is the question that it took many year for Irish and Wasps of losing money before they started to attract the crowds. Part of the increase in interest was attributed to RWC2003.

How deep are the pockets and what would give the game a similar lift up here?

Posted by stones on July 4, 2006 11:28 AM | Reply to this comment

Oi! Logan! Hands off my team!!!!!

Posted by Warrior_dave on July 4, 2006 11:54 AM | Reply to this comment

GRRRRRRRR!!!!!! Right stones, ATTACK!!

Posted by Les on July 4, 2006 01:48 PM | Reply to this comment

I agree with Kenny. The potential for professional rugby is huge - but not if its in Stirling, Perth or Falkirk. By all means move the Borders to Aberdeen so that all main population centres are covered but leave Glasgow alone!

Posted by Big Blue on July 9, 2006 07:24 PM | Reply to this comment

Do you think Kenny will be investing in this project or will he be a salaried employee? I know what my money would be on!

Posted by jimmy on July 9, 2006 11:24 PM | Reply to this comment

MEOOOWWWW!!!!

Posted by sunday5 on July 13, 2006 12:32 PM | Reply to this comment

It is rediculous to blame Glasgows poor crowds on Rangers and Celtic. There are thousands of rugby players and supporters in this city and, i can assure you, they don't even like football.
The reason the crowds are dwindling is because we have seen a poor lacklustre team playing a dreadfull half-arsed brand of rugby. Who wants to watch that? More over, if I didn't happen to be a regular patron of this site I would not have a clue when the Warriors were playing and certainly not know where to find them. The Club needs to finaly become serious about their advertising putting posters on bus stops around the city centre and handing out fliers would be a start, as would a few radio or TV ads. Nobody knows we are here! The club needs to become a brand, to advertise and do it regularly. ASAP!

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