We Need To Talk About Wasps

[will311293]

Really struggling with this now and I apologize for bringing this up again but have Wasps got no shame? If another company had gone under in the same circumstances then just set up shop again in the same area as if nothing had happened there would be uproar but everyone seems really happy and enthusiastic about it. What the **** am I missing here? I live in Coventry, there is a real bitter taste about the whole Wasps debacle and I am not on about the whiny, entitled Wendyball fans, sod them they deserve Mike Ashley but the businesses around here who Wasps owed money to, not to mention the local authority and the bloody tax man. Some people are pinning most of this on the RFU, how the hell is it the RFUs fault that Wasps was a **** business?

I said earlier I was pleased for Wasps fans but having given it some thought I'm actually not. If you are a Wasps fan and can sit there now with a big smile on your Chevy Chase because you can play rugby (at someone else's ground just for a change) knowing what your club has done and how it's behaved then screw you and in 8-10 years time when it all goes Pete Tong again I will laugh my head off as it's what you deserve.

Sorry it's been a long hard week.

Listen I a lot of Wasps are excited and understandably so because we thought our club had disappeared and so are most likely at the moment viewing things in a very narrow minded way. I understand your frustration with it and tbh the whole coventry debacle has been an odd fiasco.

To your point about the local businesses owed money - 1000% agree with you. It feels unjust and wrong entirely and i don't agree with it at all. The sums that some of the local businesses were owed was not good and it doesn't matter the figure, that is guaranteed money that should be paid back. Now if it was me and i was the new owner or the administrators, I would state the club had to be sold with the caveat of paying back or agreeing a payment plan. The whole thing feels wrong in that department.

In terms of the location - I agree, as a london based fan, I'd like to be back towards london even further as thats our true heartland. We feel very much like a franchise at the moment and have the baggage lots of franchise teams are associated with (i.e. LA Rams, the movement there and isolation of fans was horrendous). We need to figure out who we are and where we want to be and commit to it and stop moving it and tbh it wouldn't surprise me if the legends want to move us back to london eventually.

 

[McTallshort]

They have had move fans (even excluding the free tickets)at the Ricoh than they ever had in London.

Also Worcester are not in the same area at all. You need to temper your personal anger on this issue as you are starting to come across as a raving mad mad man against anything wasps and I know that's not what you want.

I'd also add that Worcester would have been fine with correct financial management, how many clubs these days are just reliant upon a sugar daddy which is wrong compared to clubs like Worcester trying to build a solid financial base with other things.

You are right I don't want to sound like a mad man and apologize if I do but, even with a bigger crowd at the CBS was Wasps sustainable? Answer is no so the move was still a failure. They would be better going back to Sunbury and playing in the regional leagues. The franchise model in Rugby Union doesn't appear to be sustainable.

Regards Worcester not being in the same area then I would have to politely disagree. Coventry to Worcester is closer than Leicester to Northampton, moving to Solihull makes it even closer (although not by much)

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

You are right I don't want to sound like a mad man and apologize if I do but, even with a bigger crowd at the CBS was Wasps sustainable? Answer is no so the move was still a failure. They would be better going back to Sunbury and playing in the regional leagues. The franchise model in Rugby Union doesn't appear to be sustainable.

Regards Worcester not being in the same area then I would have to politely disagree. Coventry to Worcester is closer than Leicester to Northampton, moving to Solihull makes it even closer (although not by much)

I mean literally Worcestershire and Warwickshire, Coventry and Worcester arnt too close at all. Just look at how close Bath, Gloucester and Bristol are to each other.

London wasn't sustainable crowd levels for wasps, they've said that. The attendance in Coventry was sustainable compared to other prem clubs but it all depends on how they were financed which is an issue for all clubs at the moment.

I know people see this as a 'franchise' issue but wasps would have died if they stayed in London and I get why they moved, I don't agree with it but they are in the area now and people around here will grow up supporting wasps so in 10 years time people arnt even going to care that they used to be in London.

 

[McTallshort]

I mean literally Worcestershire and Warwickshire, Coventry and Worcester arnt too close at all. Just look at how close Bath, Gloucester and Bristol are to each other.

London wasn't sustainable crowd levels for wasps, they've said that. The attendance in Coventry was sustainable compared to other prem clubs but it all depends on how they were financed which is an issue for all clubs at the moment.

I know people see this as a 'franchise' issue but wasps would have died if they stayed in London and I get why they moved, I don't agree with it but they are in the area now and people around here will grow up supporting wasps so in 10 years time people arnt even going to care that they used to be in London.

London wasn't sustainable for Wasps to be a premiership side but I think that ship has sailed now no matter what. Even with the crowds in Coventry they started with a big debt and in hindsight even without COVID it was going to implode.

Wasps were lucky when the game went pro. They lost some great players to Newcastle but had a good core of youngsters like Dayglo coming through. They also had a good backer so they managed to get into the top tier when arguably bigger clubs at the time couldn't but it's never really clicked off the pitch despite their success on it. Several failed ground shares, no permanent home, an expensive failed move to the Midlands and administration. Now might be the time to make back to London and be happy with the regional leagues.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Just been idly playing on google maps:

Sixways to CBS/Ricoh 44 miles
Welford Road to Franklin's Gardens 36 miles
Solihull Moors ground to Sixways 32 miles.

I'd probably go and watch Wasps at Solihull, tbf, especially as I have a mate who lives close to the ground.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Just been idly playing on google maps:

Sixways to CBS/Ricoh 44 miles
Welford Road to Franklin's Gardens 36 miles
Solihull Moors ground to Sixways 32 miles.

I'd probably go and watch Wasps at Solihull, tbf, especially as I have a mate who lives close to the ground.

I'm lucky living in the midlands as Worcester, saints, tigers all very easily drivable but really the West Country teams are also only a couple of hours down the motorway.

I wonder how many of the new cov fans will go over. I'll take my lad as he's a wasps fan now but I'll still try and convert him to the mighty saints!

 

[Wasps92]

Just been idly playing on google maps:

Sixways to CBS/Ricoh 44 miles
Welford Road to Franklin's Gardens 36 miles
Solihull Moors ground to Sixways 32 miles.

I'd probably go and watch Wasps at Solihull, tbf, especially as I have a mate who lives close to the ground.

I started going along to watch Solihull Moors back in 2016 and usually meet some mates there and watch a game a few times a year. It's a cracking little stadium now. The only thing letting it down is the car parking situation. Last time I went (November 2021) they'd closed the main car park so I and many others parked on the road outside only to find a bloody parking ticket stuck to the windscreen after the game.

I believe they were directing people to park at the airport but that's a bloody trek.

 

[Wasps92]

I'm lucky living in the midlands as Worcester, saints, tigers all very easily drivable but really the West Country teams are also only a couple of hours down the motorway.

I wonder how many of the new cov fans will go over. I'll take my lad as he's a wasps fan now but I'll still try and convert him to the mighty saints!

I'm originally from Durham but now live in Nuneaton. As you say lots of clubs around here to go and watch a game. Even Bath is only a couple of hours away. I went there to watch Bath v Saints end of October. Stayed overnight and had a great weekend.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'm originally from Durham but now live in Nuneaton. As you say lots of clubs around here to go and watch a game. Even Bath is only a couple of hours away. I went there to watch Bath v Saints end of October. Stayed overnight and had a great weekend.

Another saints fan living in Nuneaton!! Snap!

Edit: just realised you are a wasps fan lol

 

[McTallshort]

I started going along to watch Solihull Moors back in 2016 and usually meet some mates there and watch a game a few times a year. It's a cracking little stadium now. The only thing letting it down is the car parking situation. Last time I went (November 2021) they'd closed the main car park so I and many others parked on the road outside only to find a bloody parking ticket stuck to the windscreen after the game.

I believe they were directing people to park at the airport but that's a bloody trek.

Coventry rugby club is pretty good too. Couple of pubs next the ground, plenty of bars in it, curry for a quid in the clubhouse bar. Also the team is pretty good too.

 

[Wasps92]

Coventry rugby club is pretty good too. Couple of pubs next the ground, plenty of bars in it, curry for a quid in the clubhouse bar. Also the team is pretty good too.

I've never even thought about going to watch Cov. I'll have a look next season I think.

 

[McTallshort]

I've never even thought about going to watch Cov. I'll have a look next season I think.

Well worth it. We took the kids to the fireworks display this year and I was impressed so went to the London Scottish game the following week. Really good. There were also a fair few Wasps fans in their colours watching the game. If you go check out Brown at full back.

 

[will311293]

The one thing in wonder is if Wuss join Wasps in the champ, i wonder whether the RFU will finally take some responsibility and help fund the champ, especially if someone like Dimes comes in for Wuss.
I'd love to see the Champ at full power like the french second division. Also im looking forward to getting around the country to watch a few champ games next year for sure.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

'It's not fair, it's not right and it shouldn't happen'

Coventry CEO Nick Johnston has labelled as “mind-boggling” the suggestion the RFU will allow Wasps relaunch as a Solihull Championship rival.

www.rugbypass.com

 

[TRF_Olyy]

We will be chasing the same commercial sponsors, the same fans and the same players in the same community.

Do feel for them on this point

 

[McTallshort]

'It's not fair, it's not right and it shouldn't happen'

Coventry CEO Nick Johnston has labelled as “mind-boggling” the suggestion the RFU will allow Wasps relaunch as a Solihull Championship rival.

www.rugbypass.com

Absolutely spot on. Why are they bending the rules for Wasps?

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Coventry rugby: angry wasps moves to Coventry, wants them gone

Also Coventry rugby: angry wasps are leaving Coventry

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Coventry rugby: angry wasps moves to Coventry, wants them gone

Also Coventry rugby: angry wasps are leaving Coventry

Angry wasps are getting special treatment more than moving out

 

[McTallshort]

Coventry rugby: angry wasps moves to Coventry, wants them gone

Also Coventry rugby: angry wasps are leaving Coventry

Not leaving though are they? Solihull is right next to Coventry

 

[will311293]

'There is an absolute belief': Inside Wasps' grand plans to bounce back from oblivion

The new owners of the six-time league champions reveal how they hope to build an entirely new playing staff, find a new home and keep finances 'bullet-proof' as they prepare for life in the Championship

inews.co.uk

So a hugely interesting read.

PLC Style Board consists of Chris Holland (HALO22 Limited), Andy Scott (former CEO of 188Bet & Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation Interim CEO), Dame Inga Beale (former CEO of Lloyd's of London, Simon Morris (Chief Creative Officer Worldwide at Amazon), Chris Braithwaite (Former head of Apple's Global Real Estate Division, plus another finance director) - Also includes Peter Scrivener, Kenny Logan and Mark Rigby, Dallaglio is not part of core team but aware of plans.

4 main steps they are currently working on
- Stadium Agreement to replace CBS (Somewhere in Midlands)
- Obligation to pay rugby creditors
- Squad of players, coaches, support staff (Pudsey Bevan only one of 168 kept on)
- Institutional Investor (one preferred party identified) - to remove concept of sugar daddy and tie into new rugby regulatory framework being worked on by RFU.

So it sounds like are creditors are broken into 3 crediting groups (also states stadium sale was under ACL and not Wasps Holdings so can't go to creditors)
- Secured Creditors - Richardson/Bond Holders 28m and 35.2m owed respectively - won't be paid under financial law of land
- Preferential Creditors - former employees, HMRC, DCMS etc. - owed 7m, 14m and unstated - won't be paid under financial law of land
- Rugby Creditors (under RFU law) - Munster, former players etc. - owed 3.5m - will be paid. - assuming this includes grass roots and some small businesses?

Really interesting read for sure, 100% worth a good read and very interesting to understand more about the takeover.