TRP

[wasps]

Newcastle Footy Fan saying Ashley will rip the heart out of Wasps - hmm methinks others have already done that!

I'm struggling to see the downside of a Mike Ashley ownership right now.


Some say that he hadn't invested in Newcastle United by signing expensive players therefore won't invest in us.
What extra investment is really required in the playing squad beyond being near the cap salary wise?


Others say that he'll strip all assets from the club.
What assets have we really got right now that mean anything?


It's fairly obvious that he has no interest in a rugby club and it'd be about the stadium, but it's a cheap side project for him that may drive some extra sales at sports direct.
Even if he were to put us up for sale in 12 months, is that any worse a position for us to be in?
At least the staff, and players would get paid for another 12 months

It’s possible Ashley may arrive along with Gary Hoffman. Who is a very genuine guy. Essexwasp on DW also confirmed he is something of a rugby fan even though he’s most heavily linked with CCFC.

Genuine guy or not, they're going to be businessman who expect a return somewhere along the line.... Which they're ultimately not going to get.


But right here, right now, it feels like a far better alternative then what we're facing.
Even a return to the Steve Hayes days is better than oblivion

[Chunky24]

Newcastle Footy Fan saying Ashley will rip the heart out of Wasps - hmm methinks others have already done that!

I'm struggling to see the downside of a Mike Ashley ownership right now.


Some say that he hadn't invested in Newcastle United by signing expensive players therefore won't invest in us.
What extra investment is really required in the playing squad beyond being near the cap salary wise?


Others say that he'll strip all assets from the club.
What assets have we really got right now that mean anything?


It's fairly obvious that he has no interest in a rugby club and it'd be about the stadium, but it's a cheap side project for him that may drive some extra sales at sports direct.
Even if he were to put us up for sale in 12 months, is that any worse a position for us to be in?
At least the staff, and players would get paid for another 12 months

It’s possible Ashley may arrive along with Gary Hoffman. Who is a very genuine guy. Essexwasp on DW also confirmed he is something of a rugby fan even though he’s most heavily linked with CCFC.

Genuine guy or not, they're going to be businessman who expect a return somewhere along the line.... Which they're ultimately not going to get.


But right here, right now, it feels like a far better alternative then what we're facing.
Even a return to the Steve Hayes days is better than oblivion

Hoffman has links to a local grassroots club in Coventry.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Speaking as a female I would prefer little or preferably no interaction with a club that took on Paddy Jackson.

I'm not female, but that always left a bit of a sour taste for me as well.

[BlackAndGoldSunglasses]

Speaking as a female I would prefer little or preferably no interaction with a club that took on Paddy Jackson.

I'm not female, but that always left a bit of a sour taste for me as well.

+1

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Speaking as a female I would prefer little or preferably no interaction with a club that took on Paddy Jackson.

I'm not female, but that always left a bit of a sour taste for me as well.

+1

+2

[Rossm]

The entire Paddy Jackson affair is thoroughly distasteful and in an ideal world I would want nothing to do with him. However, assuming this story has wheels which I doubt, then we can't be choosy. Jackson is 30 and won't be there forever. This could be about the survival of the club in one form or another.

[RogerE]

The only problem with a possible tie-up with London Irish is what will they be called?

Remember the current London Irish (professional) team is an amalgamation of the original London Irish, London Scottish and Richmond first teams, and they decided to keep the London Irish name with the idea it would attract the London-basewd Irish supporters. To that end they adopted the pseudo Irishness, including Republican overtones, and those bl00dy drums.

Would we become Irish Wasps?

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Irish have been my second team for the last few years, but there is little about this idea that appeals to me.

Wasps are my team, have been for decades. We play in Black and Gold and we have a glorious, and slightly checkered history.

Whatever team remains after a merger with Irish will not be Wasps.

[hookender]

The only problem with a possible tie-up with London Irish is what will they be called?

Remember the current London Irish (professional) team is an amalgamation of the original London Irish, London Scottish and Richmond first teams, and they decided to keep the London Irish name with the idea it would attract the London-basewd Irish supporters. To that end they adopted the pseudo Irishness, including Republican overtones, and those bl00dy drums.

Would we become Irish Wasps?

Might possibly start off as Irish Wasps, but like Bordeaux Begles ( or even Racing Metro 92 ) will be shortened when referred to , and eventually a name dropped.

 Would I care or go ? Too numb at moment to make an opinion. Might as well speculate on giving what and who is left to Coventry RFC and merge with them.

[RogerE]

Same for me - started to support Wasps when I was taken to watch a match at Sudbury as a 10th birthday treat.

It's now 65 years later, and I've supported, and as a youngster played for, Wasps for all those years.

Can't support another team.

[DanJester]

Speaking as a female I would prefer little or preferably no interaction with a club that took on Paddy Jackson.

I'm not female, but that always left a bit of a sour taste for me as well.

+1

+2

+3

[hookender]

Statement issued by London Irish

https://www.london-irish.com/news/club-statement-speculation-on-wasps-merger/bp3796/

[Neils]

Statement issued by London Irish

https://www.london-irish.com/news/club-statement-speculation-on-wasps-merger/bp3796/

Was read out on RT earlier.

[DanJester]

I remember how Irish acted when Richmond came unstuck many years ago. The only way I'd want to see a merger would be with us as the main focus, not them. Don't know how we can buy them and imprint our brand on theirs though.