Post by QPR Report on May 15, 2010 8:38:55 GMT
So we move our reserves out to preserve the ground, and then bring in a rugby team to churn up the pitch?
WATFORD OBSERVER
Saracens consider Regent's Park as club consider move away from Watford
15th May 2010 By Simon Mail »
Saracens have confirmed ambitious plans to play several matches in Regent's Park next season as they continue to consider a long-term move away from Vicarage Road.
The Guinness Premiership side are committed to playing in Watford next season but a break clause would allow them to leave in 2011 and Sarries' chief executive Edward Griffiths insists the club are keeping their options open.
Griffiths claims playing in a temporary 10,000-seat stadium in Regent's Park, as part of a rugby festival, is a realistic prospect either in September or April. The club are still trying to make it "commercially viable" but have been boosted by their new sponsorship agreements with Nike, Virgin Atlantic and satellite navigation firm Garmin.
Griffiths, who held a meeting with Watford chief executive Julian Winter on Thursday, said: "We have been looking at a number of options to play rugby in central London. We are continuing discussions with Watford about developing Vicarage Road into the stadium that both of us would like it be. But we are looking at other options and one of those could be to put up a temporary stadium in Regent's Park.
"It's not something we could do for a full season. It's the sort of thing that cricket has done. If you look at Kent they play in Canterbury but also have a festival in Tunbridge Wells. Yorkshire play at Headingley but also go to Scarborough for a few games.
"It's conceivable we could have a couple of matches in a type of festival. It's definitely early or late season in September or April because I don't think Regent's Park would be suitable for December or January.
"We have had a number of quotes but obviously we want to make it commercially viable," Griffiths continued. "We have been told it can happen and now it's up to us to formulate a plan to make it happen. Premier Rugby are very supportive towards our innovative approach to taking rugby into central London."
Saracens have played four matches at Wembley this season with more than 40,000 attendances in each game. But the Men in Black have struggled to attract crowds to Vicarage Road with most gates falling below 10,000. The club will host four games at the iconic football stadium next season and have made no secret of their desire to search for a move towards central London.
Griffiths has ruled out a move to Fulham's Craven Cottage but insists all other options are possible and Sarries have been strongly linked with a possible relocation to Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground.
"We have had communications with proprietors of every stadium in London, whether it is for cricket, football or rugby," Griffiths said. "We want to be recognised as one of the best and biggest sports brands in London and we are interested in every space where we can play rugby.
"We are not ruling out being partners with Watford. That is still an option and Watford understand our position. Watford have got a sound plan going forward and we need to have further discussions."
Saracens unveiled their new shirt this week, which will be supplied by Nike, and also secured a reported £500,000 two-year deal with Garmin.
Sarries' chairman Nigel Wray said: "This partnership with Nike underpins our plan to become one of the most dynamic and innovative sports brands in the country.
"In partnership with our main sponsor Garmin, sponsors Virgin Atlantic and Grundfos and our kit supplier Nike, we have gathered a world class group of commercial partners who will contribute to, and indeed share in, our continuing success on and off the field.
"Something special is indeed happening at Saracens."
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/8165088.Sarries_consider_rugby_festival_at_Regent_s_Park/
WATFORD OBSERVER
Saracens consider Regent's Park as club consider move away from Watford
15th May 2010 By Simon Mail »
Saracens have confirmed ambitious plans to play several matches in Regent's Park next season as they continue to consider a long-term move away from Vicarage Road.
The Guinness Premiership side are committed to playing in Watford next season but a break clause would allow them to leave in 2011 and Sarries' chief executive Edward Griffiths insists the club are keeping their options open.
Griffiths claims playing in a temporary 10,000-seat stadium in Regent's Park, as part of a rugby festival, is a realistic prospect either in September or April. The club are still trying to make it "commercially viable" but have been boosted by their new sponsorship agreements with Nike, Virgin Atlantic and satellite navigation firm Garmin.
Griffiths, who held a meeting with Watford chief executive Julian Winter on Thursday, said: "We have been looking at a number of options to play rugby in central London. We are continuing discussions with Watford about developing Vicarage Road into the stadium that both of us would like it be. But we are looking at other options and one of those could be to put up a temporary stadium in Regent's Park.
"It's not something we could do for a full season. It's the sort of thing that cricket has done. If you look at Kent they play in Canterbury but also have a festival in Tunbridge Wells. Yorkshire play at Headingley but also go to Scarborough for a few games.
"It's conceivable we could have a couple of matches in a type of festival. It's definitely early or late season in September or April because I don't think Regent's Park would be suitable for December or January.
"We have had a number of quotes but obviously we want to make it commercially viable," Griffiths continued. "We have been told it can happen and now it's up to us to formulate a plan to make it happen. Premier Rugby are very supportive towards our innovative approach to taking rugby into central London."
Saracens have played four matches at Wembley this season with more than 40,000 attendances in each game. But the Men in Black have struggled to attract crowds to Vicarage Road with most gates falling below 10,000. The club will host four games at the iconic football stadium next season and have made no secret of their desire to search for a move towards central London.
Griffiths has ruled out a move to Fulham's Craven Cottage but insists all other options are possible and Sarries have been strongly linked with a possible relocation to Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground.
"We have had communications with proprietors of every stadium in London, whether it is for cricket, football or rugby," Griffiths said. "We want to be recognised as one of the best and biggest sports brands in London and we are interested in every space where we can play rugby.
"We are not ruling out being partners with Watford. That is still an option and Watford understand our position. Watford have got a sound plan going forward and we need to have further discussions."
Saracens unveiled their new shirt this week, which will be supplied by Nike, and also secured a reported £500,000 two-year deal with Garmin.
Sarries' chairman Nigel Wray said: "This partnership with Nike underpins our plan to become one of the most dynamic and innovative sports brands in the country.
"In partnership with our main sponsor Garmin, sponsors Virgin Atlantic and Grundfos and our kit supplier Nike, we have gathered a world class group of commercial partners who will contribute to, and indeed share in, our continuing success on and off the field.
"Something special is indeed happening at Saracens."
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/8165088.Sarries_consider_rugby_festival_at_Regent_s_Park/
