Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: BlackAndGoldSunglasses on October 23, 2023, 04:04:30 PM
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https://wasps.co.uk/club-announcements/wasps-announces-plans-for-new-stadium-development-in-kent/
The club is actively engaged with Sevenoaks District Council to identify a suitable location and ensure that the development meets both the needs of the club and the broader community.
Building on the rich 156-year history of Wasps, this move signifies a new chapter in the club's journey, reaffirming its commitment to professional rugby. In a statement on 17 October the club discussed its strategic journey since October 2022. Having faced significant challenges with regulation and funding, the club has persisted with its determination to revive Wasps at the highest possible level.
As the development progresses through its planning stages, Wasps will be actively exploring temporary facilities to underpin its operations in Kent. Whilst determined to establish a base in the southeast of England, the club has also agreed an option of utilising Worcester Warriors? Sixways ground for both training and playing purposes, without in anyway replacing Worcester Warriors RFC and indeed committed to assisting their return to competitive rugby.
A Wasps spokesperson said: "The journey of Wasps has been one of passion, resilience, and commitment to the game. Our determination to secure a new, sustainable future for the club has never been stronger. By working with Sevenoaks District Council, we hope to build a long-lasting legacy that acknowledges our storied past and charts an ambitious future.
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As a Cov Wasps fan, that's a hell of a trek for "home games"!
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Erm, not sure how I've managed to add this twice. Could someone adept at such things tidy one up?
Ta :)
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Gets my vote as I live 30 minutes away!
Keeps Warriors happy
Doesnt tread on the toes of any other prem or championship club.
Lots of rugby playing kids etc & local sides to tie up with.
Sounds like a winner on some levels, but the details will be key.
And teh obvious wheres the money coming form & what comp will they play in.
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Sevenoaks council:
Wasps Rugby Football Club stadium and training ground proposal
Wasps Rugby Football Club has put forward an early proposal for a new multi-use stadium, training ground and a hotel as part of our Local Plan ?Call for sites?.
The Local Plan sets out what could be built and where in the next 15 years and the ?Call for sites? identifies potential development sites that could be included in our new Local Plan.
The location of the proposed stadium, training ground and hotel is the Pedham Place area on the outskirts of Swanley, Kent.
You will have an opportunity to comment on Wasps? proposal (and all other 'Call for sites' proposals), at our next Local Plan consultation from 23 November 2023 to 11 January 2024 (this consultation is subject to Cabinet approval on 9 November 2023).
As a top tier Club, with an international profile, we believe this is a once in a generation opportunity. Wasps would bring unparalleled economic, sports development, health, education, skills and cultural benefits to the District and we are keen to explore how that could be achieved.
However, the public and partners will all need to have their say on Wasps? proposals before it could be considered for inclusion in the new Local Plan.
Wasps? proposals would also require planning permission, which again would give the public an opportunity to have their say and actively engage in the process.
For more information about the Wasps? proposal view our Development & Conservation Advisory Committee report or view our Questions and Answers.
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Well that really is a curved ball.
Obviously some work gone in. Just off Junction 3 of the M25 (I know it well as a foreign lorry driver totalled my car and nearly me a few years ago). Can't complain as can get there in under half an hour on a clear run plus still got my DartTag thingy.
If it works out I feel bloody upset about the fans attracted by the Coventry move. Really is a kick in the teeth.
Kent though is a good move with no Cheating clubs nearby but could have tried Essex first lads!
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Positive news to hear of a long term plan for Wasps' resurrection and pleased to see that consideration has been given to Warriors.
From a purely selfish perspective, it's a shame that the move will take Wasps' to the "wrong" side of London for me. I think this will rule me out of regularly attending home games in the longer term - I will probably need to consider attending the local(ish) home games instead (for the purpose of clarity, it's not gone unnoticed that many London-based fans had similar journeys to the Midlands during the Coventry era).
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My money was on Oxford! Perhaps the EPIC will be sold to help finance the move as it wont serve its purpose for the club now. Not a bad market to tap into with not much in the way of Pro sport in Kent. Lots of amateur clubs in and around that area too!
Whilst it isn't a bad run for me (Guildford), I do feel for our Cov/Midlands family. Remember how we all felt when we went to Cov..
Nonetheless, hopefully another positive step in seeing our great club rise again! Once A Wasp!
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That?s me definitely done then!! 510 mile, 10+ hour round trip ain?t happening. Glad I enjoyed what I could of Wasps while I could. STH from early Adams Park days thro? to Cov inc. 325 mile, 7 hour drive when we moved to the Dales but can?t justify that sort of trip and expense. Will be sad if it does come to Sevenoaks but will wish all connected with Wasps the very best of luck.
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Just reading the Council's forward policy and it looks like they have taken whatever proposals Wasps put forward into their 2040 year plan outline.
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I can understand the thinking and hope it goes well, but it will be nightmare journey for me and many others. I don't think I've ever got past the A3/M25 junction without at least a 30minute delay and last month it was over an hour.
It looks like they could start at Sixways so I'll have to make the most of that opportunity if it happens.
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I moved from the ancestral home [Harrow] to Canterbury in January so good for me. 50 mins down the motorway. Accessible for most of Kent and SE London. I assume the academy region would move from Saracens to Wasps :)
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M40/M25 far worse than M40/A46. Have to look at rail options.
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If it works out I feel bloody upset about the fans attracted by the Coventry move. Really is a kick in the teeth.
2h from Oxon, too, eek...
...but not feeling too sorry for Cov right now, though - was right shocked to get an earful at Friday semi from a CRFC lad in row ahead who just couldn't let bygones rest. He wasn't there Saturday, though, hehe. Was flying the shirt and drew much better response from Stade Toulousain and other French fans, so not everyone hates us - COYW (even if in Kent, Essex, anywhere...)!
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From the Council documents -
Wasps Rugby Football Club Proposal
When will the stadium be built?
Planning permission will first be needed. This is a matter for Wasps to consider.
How big is the proposed stadium?
24,000 to 28,000 seats.
What about transport issues in the area, the junction to the M25 is already busy?
Transport would be considered as part of the proposal, including new transport infrastructure, but
it?s too early to say what this could look like at this early stage.
Who owns Pedham Place Golf course?
The golf course is in private ownership and unfortunately we cannot share the details.
What is the planning status of Pedham Place?
The site is in the Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it was agreed to
be a ?broad location for future growth? in the 2019 iteration of the emerging Local Plan.
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That?s me definitely done then!! 510 mile, 10+ hour round trip ain?t happening. Glad I enjoyed what I could of Wasps while I could. STH from early Adams Park days thro? to Cov inc. 325 mile, 7 hour drive when we moved to the Dales but can?t justify that sort of trip and expense. Will be sad if it does come to Sevenoaks but will wish all connected with Wasps the very best of luck.
Likewise. From mid Wales, Coventry was do-able (roughly 5hrs round trip) But any part of Kent is too long a journey in both time and distance. However if Sixways is initially used, then a easy jaunt fot Mrs FW and me.
But until the long term structure (including promotion and relegation) of prem2 / championship is certain, how can any club plan?
Regardless, best wishes that Wasps can be resurrected not just in name but in playing style too
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From the Council documents -
Wasps Rugby Football Club Proposal
When will the stadium be built?
Planning permission will first be needed. This is a matter for Wasps to consider.
How big is the proposed stadium?
24,000 to 28,000 seats.
What about transport issues in the area, the junction to the M25 is already busy?
Transport would be considered as part of the proposal, including new transport infrastructure, but
it?s too early to say what this could look like at this early stage.
Who owns Pedham Place Golf course?
The golf course is in private ownership and unfortunately we cannot share the details.
What is the planning status of Pedham Place?
The site is in the Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it was agreed to
be a ?broad location for future growth? in the 2019 iteration of the emerging Local Plan.
Thanks Neils, it'll be interesting to see what these transport links would look like. Won't be seeing anything any time soon though!
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From the Council documents -
Wasps Rugby Football Club Proposal
When will the stadium be built?
Planning permission will first be needed. This is a matter for Wasps to consider.
How big is the proposed stadium?
24,000 to 28,000 seats.
What about transport issues in the area, the junction to the M25 is already busy?
Transport would be considered as part of the proposal, including new transport infrastructure, but
it?s too early to say what this could look like at this early stage.
Who owns Pedham Place Golf course?
The golf course is in private ownership and unfortunately we cannot share the details.
What is the planning status of Pedham Place?
The site is in the Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it was agreed to
be a ?broad location for future growth? in the 2019 iteration of the emerging Local Plan.
Thanks Neils, it'll be interesting to see what these transport links would look like. Won't be seeing anything any time soon though!
Looking at the "Proposed" site it has a road from the J3 M25 rounabout but is on the outside (Kent side) of the motorway. Would think the only transport that could be laid on would be a bus from Swanley Station.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67193921
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Just had a look at the are on Google maps satellite images. Objectively it looks a good location if they can get planning permission*.
Good road links and Swanley has Southeastern and Thameslink trains, so accessible from North London as well
It does look like a 10 year project given how long it takes to get planning permission in this country, there?ll be lots of law suits as it?s Green Belt.
*as did Handy Cross
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1.5 mile walk from the station, which takes trains from Canterbury East.
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Very happy for Wasps. Very sad for me and my family as none of us have a hope in hell of ever getting to Kent. Maybe we can see an away-match. Perhaps the time has come to take the pictures off the fridge but I'll keep about 3 - George and Guy, Tom (Willis) and Launc. At least Wuss and KentWasp should be happy now. Neils .... you can still make it; we went 2 hours there and 2 hours back to AP and to Coventry. Huge huge hole in our lives now. B*****.
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I live in Sevenoaks so can?t quite believe this? trying not to get TOO excited 😛
In terms of transport links as well as those mentioned, Ebbsfleet is about 15 minutes away as is Sevenoaks which has fast trains into London.
Also that bit of the M25 is generally much better on a weekend than weekday.
I wonder how long this has been going on? ?5 was reportedly living in a Sevenoaks village not that long ago (never spotted him myself)
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I live in Sevenoaks so can?t quite believe this? trying not to get TOO excited 😛
In terms of transport links as well as those mentioned, Ebbsfleet is about 15 minutes away as is Sevenoaks which has fast trains into London.
Also that bit of the M25 is generally much better on a weekend than weekday.
I wonder how long this has been going on? ?5 was reportedly living in a Sevenoaks village not that long ago (never spotted him myself)
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Ludlow and the Welsh border are not on the Kent bus route I think.
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Also Canterbury based here and very surprised by this. Last year the Times quoted an RFU report that identified Kent (actually Canterbury) as the place where a professional team might be the most sustainable, so maybe that is behind some of this thinking. A huge catchment area with very little professional sport to compete with. Wealthy Home Counties and a rugby area. Fast links to North London via ebbsfleet and lots of road links. If it is going to work anywhere it is probably as good a place as any.
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Where are you, BdeB?
I am in Ickham, where my wife's father used to be vicar.
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Quite a shock this. Looks to be a good 4-5 years off at least though so it will be 6ways for a while. No mention of where the funding for this comes from. All appears quite a long way away.
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Well I know how people felt when the move to cov happened. Feel little sad. Kent to far for me. I honestly wonder if will get my love back even if wasps do start again. I've not watched any Orem rugby since the demise and not sure no longer being a season ticket will have same pull unfortunately. I feel cheated by the whole thing to be honest. Not this as much as the whole emotional investment I've made to be let down.
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There was an article from The Times floating around on one of the FB pages. Can't find it myself but a few nuggets of info in there make for interesting reading. Anyone care to copy and paste?
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Very sadly that?s me done then. Just too far a journey. I?d already piled up all my Wasps shirts, tops, jackets, scarves, hats etc up for vacuum packing for a season or two but that?ll just be the odd away game for me and Dr Wasp and supporting from afar. Stadium idea looks great and I really hope it works out. Just so sad that I won?t be able to be there, but what memories!
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One thing for the 'me done' crowd. Away games exist.
As a Wales based fan, over 20 plus years I have oscillated between more home than away games and vice versa. Obviously a huge amount is contingent on getting to the top tier. IF it happens, if you are SW based- Bath, Bris, Chiefs, Glaws. If you are Midlands based Cheetahs, Saints and even the saffers at Sale are within reach. If you are Southern then Quins and cheats major.
If it is second tier only, it will fail anyway.
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From where I live it's nearer than the Ricoh/CBS by about 10 miles.
Estimated travelling time though is 35 mins longer by car (nearly 2 hours). However tht is Googles estimate for this evening - don't know what it would be like on a Saturday afternoon.
Can get, by train, to Swanley station though with only 4 changes involved - still will take nearly 3 hours though
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Before we get too despondent over the travelling, that survey did ask about a Wasps TV channel so they?ve obviously given the move to Kent lot of thought.
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/10/23/wasps-announce-new-kent-home-stadium-sixways-temporary-base/
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/23/wasps-plan-to-begin-revival-by-exploring-possibility-of-permanent-move-to-kent
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https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby/wasps-kent-stadium-b1115444.html
Northampton?
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Maybe there is a plan/wish for everything Waspish to start anew? Square 1, new broom, new Management etc, and maybe that includes the fans/supporters too? Completely new Club. Wasps Mk ll. New everything. Just a thought.
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Indoor stadium is interesting,and could be where some of the funding is coming from.
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I?m 2017 my son was 8 years old and had never seen a rugby match in his life apart from England on the TV. Then we went to the first match of the season against Exeter and he was totally hooked and became Wasps and rugby obsessed, he joined a local rugby club where he still plays as a aspiring scrum half that combined with a Wasps season ticket and numerous away games meant our weekends became all about rugby. When the club went out business a can?t begin to tell you how devastated the boy was almost to point of tears. For the past year he?s been clinging to the hope they would resurface at some level, he did care how low down the leagues they started he just wanted to watch his beloved Wasps again. We live 15 mins from the CBS Arena so todays news has come like an arrow to his heart. With a younger brother that plays football on a Saturday morning it is just not possible for us to attend home matches also the time and cost just make it impossible. We will still do a few away matches if possible but it just won?t be the same. Apart from him playing rugby and the World Cup we just haven?t had the interest in Rugby that we had. We?re both glad to hear that there is a chance it might all start again and we truely hope if it does that it is successful it?s just with a tinge of sadness that we won?t be involved.
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That's me done then. Nice to have known you all. My dad and brother bowed out some time ago. Looks like I will be joining them. Can't see me following a different club, so I will be at a loose end in the season.
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Wow, my parents live in Biggin Hill just down the road so will have to stay with them on match weekends coming down from Solihull.
To those who remember him. finally some good news for Beckenham Bandit after all these years, he lives in spitting distance!!
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Got to be honest- Wasps away games, by and large, were better than the home.
Why? LR, AP, Ricoh. Football grounds. Sure, 25 -30 k matches were awesome. 15k, were OK. AP, 8 or 9 k rocked, 5k, not so much. Wasn't just the crowd, the shop at AP being brought out and packed away, turning back to Wycombe shop.
None of them felt like home, save for a few Christmas matches at AP with mulled wine in the car park, and some community Wasp sales, the odd match of adversity like the 500 in one stand vs Newport, and a few times in Coventry, when the Wasps nest was open and I found some Cornish Rattler or Evie got to be face painted etc
. It felt far more Wasps at Bath, watching us win from behind after the usual 10 point head start, or watching them kick repeatedly to Wadey. Or 6 at 6ways complementing the locals on their ground. Or at Castle Grim, moaning with the locals that they now had Cips, or drinking in the pub opposite waiting for my dad wondering if I will miss kick off. Or Fridays in Bris getting stuffed in traffic or finding Cheddar Valley at the ground.
The rugby at Wasps was fab. But most solid memories are the away matches at small rugby grounds.
Some became routine- Glaws and later Bris, who seemed to make the footie ground work better than us, others like Sale were always tied with family trips. So I would say to those screwed by this, it should not be the end. I never felt less Wasps when I managed 8 away matches and only 3 or 4 at home, any more than when it was reguarly the other way round before my daughter was born.
If we restart in Worcester then there is a start. And a long way to go yet.
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I'll buy into it.
Kent is way too far for a regular commitment, but away games will be the staple. As others have said there will be a lead-time of some 5-6 years where we'll be Worcester based in all likelihood, so in the meantime that's a happy medium.
A trip to a "home" game will be quite the adventure!
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I know it?s a very personal thing but I can?t see the direct correlation between not being able to attend matches and not following Wasps. I quite understand that the live matchday experience is great but there is a lot around that and, as others have said, there are away games and TV.
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I think, like some, the away games will be a regular thing with the odd home game, having been season ticket holders since the 1st match at the Ricoh I don't see us being STH again (in Kent, if 6ways happens that may be different).
I used to go to Brands Hatch a lot (and looking at the maps went past the planned site every time) and used to use the M1 route before I gave up and took the longer (145 vs 125miles), but usually quicker M40 route home, regularly the traffic home was a nightmare due to Dartford and I think that will be a big negative for a lot who come from the eastern side of the country.
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For my family home match days were/are often a great get together and outing. We met and made lots of friends (Hi Steve and Sharon, Simon and Lynsey, and many others) and were lucky enough to meet players and background staff (Hello Smiler, Pudsey, Derek and family, JC, Tom, Guy, Nick, Ben, Matt, Danni, James et al) ........... that's who we'll miss. And the rugby. Oh, the rugby! Sill, whatever will be will be. And may Wasps continue.
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PS ..... and thank you, Wasps, (and Rob, plus Mark, Louise and family) for helping our borderline autistic g/son to learn how to react and behave in crowds and with strangers; you all helped so much.
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this is just to keep the warriors fans happy when we are playing at their stadium for the next 10 years. it sounds more like CCFC and we are going to build a new stadium but don't have any money . the last few football stadiums that have been built look at the costs and time and are all over budget even sending contractors bust .
Wasps need someone with very deep pockets
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If this happens its going to be a very long way away & depends on a tournament structure & investment that currently don't exist.
It does seem like a genuine attempt to make a move that will work, make new fans while still being close enough to at least some of their original fans. I do feel for those from west London, High Wycombe & Coventry.
The Council seem relatively on side so far, but there will be a lot of work to do to make this happen & even more to make it work.
I am not counting any chickens at this point
Not sure about a quoted 24 - 28,000 seats, seems far too large for me. Make a small compact ground of 10-15,000 and make it a really intimidating place to play.
The term "multi-use" was also quoted. Can't think of any obvious other likely local users.
Access will be an issue. Thats a very busy junction at the best of times & takes the traffic for Brand Hatch. Not really walk-able from any public transport at present although a shuttle bus from Swanley, Sevenoaks or Ebsfleet would be options.
"At last Beckenham Bandit will be happy" sadly every silver lining has to have a cloud attached!
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I think there is a huge cloud over the whole sport financially. The world over players are paid more than clubs can afford. The All Blacks haven't a pit to piss in, financially broke, too many players. It is all in the report.
We know what is responsible- or irresponsible- it's the minority of deep pocketed owners in a couple of countries paying wages that have no resemblance to what is coming in, and others paying to keep up. Look what it has got us.
Those issues are coming home to roost and we don't have a structure for this new home. Does anyone see a viable structure? I don't. I can see another club going under. We are trying to build a stadium on sand. I don't doubt it is possible to build one, but, and it is a huge but, without the structure in place it won't get going.
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I know it?s a very personal thing but I can?t see the direct correlation between not being able to attend matches and not following Wasps. I quite understand that the live matchday experience is great but there is a lot around that and, as others have said, there are away games and TV.
+1 people manage to support Premier League football teams from the other side of the world without ever realistically having the chance to see them live. Each to their own though.
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I know it?s a very personal thing but I can?t see the direct correlation between not being able to attend matches and not following Wasps. I quite understand that the live matchday experience is great but there is a lot around that and, as others have said, there are away games and TV.
+1 people manage to support Premier League football teams from the other side of the world without ever realistically having the chance to see them live. Each to their own though.
Don?t think anyone is saying they are going to stop following wasps if the new ground is in Kent, just that it?s not viable to attend home matches. I know for sure my son will still want the new kits and to go to games at Northampton, Leicester etc. just a shame most of our money will end up funding other clubs
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Having been season ticket holders for the Coventry duration we have decided to support the club from afar. Travelling to home games in Kent is unrealistic.
We both fell in love with the club from the outset and enjoyed some fabulous away trips both home and abroad.
We hope the club survives and prospers and look forward to seeing them get back to the top.
For me - I?m unable to support another Premiership club or Cov but wish all our former players well.
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Don?t think anyone is saying they are going to stop following wasps if the new ground is in Kent,
It looks suspiciously like those that have said "I'm done" do intend to stop following Wasps.
That of course is their prerogative but I think it's strange that there's lots of supporters from my town in North Oxfordshire who travel up
in their cars or on the train to watch Liverpool which is 30 miles further than the proposed ground and Manchester which is 20 miles further.
To put it into perspective I rode on a train to Amsterdam in June and last month rode down to Barcelona via Marseilles on a Vespa Scooter
so I'm hardly going to be put off by a 115 mile 2 hour ride/drive to Kent.
No I won't get a season ticket like I probably would if we had a ground in North Oxford but home games would be cherry picked and it would be special days out and the odd hotel stay.
Great news that the club has these ambitions and we will get to see the team again as looks likely.
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I travelled from Kent to Loftus Road and then from Kent to High Wycombe. I then travelled from Kent to virtually all the Coventry games where I had a season ticket throughout their stay there. It meant so much to me I did this. If they were back in Coventry or Worcester I would do the same again. Where there's a will there's a way, I guess, although i sympathise with the guy from Yorkshire which might make it too much for him. Come back anywhere for me, Wasps.
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I travelled from Kent to Loftus Road and then from Kent to High Wycombe. I then travelled from Kent to virtually all the Coventry games where I had a season ticket throughout their stay there. It meant so much to me I did this. If they were back in Coventry or Worcester I would do the same again. Where there's a will there's a way, I guess, although i sympathise with the guy from Yorkshire which might make it too much for him. Come back anywhere for me, Wasps.
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I will always be a Wasps supporter, could not change even though Sale and Falcons are nearer than any other club. If Sixways happens for a few years then that is doable as it?s no worse than home to Cov was and we would make the trip regularly. Kent in 5/6 years time is simply unrealistic though. Still wouldn?t stop me supporting from afar and possibly making matches at Sale/Falcons if they happen. Once a Wasp always a Wasp.
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This is so much nearer for me (West London) that actually being able to get to a Wasps game in a little over 90mins is a huge relief.
Coventry cut me off from the club in a lot of ways, as I was unwilling to spend the min. 7 hrs travel to get to a home game, and back again.
As a result, I totally sympathise with anyone who now feels that the reborn club will be too far for them to follow in person. Hopefully see some of you at away games where possible.
Equally, this is a very bold plan, and I would not be too shocked if it changes drastically between now and actual realisation. Wasps aren't back. Yet. But the intent does seem to be there, and the right noises are being made.
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This is so much nearer for me (West London) that actually being able to get to a Wasps game in a little over 90mins is a huge relief.
Coventry cut me off from the club in a lot of ways, as I was unwilling to spend the min. 7 hrs travel to get to a home game, and back again.
As a result, I totally sympathise with anyone who now feels that the reborn club will be too far for them to follow in person. Hopefully see some of you at away games where possible.
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IF Wasps was at Wuss for a few years Mr WW and I could just about manage to get there, but after that age and debility (or worse!) will kick in and probably any travelling anywhere at all will out of the question!! But we could sit on a black and gold settee, and mutter and watch Wasps on TV, and say ''I remember when ............. etc''
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It feels to me that a number of Waspies are falling by the wayside in all this. I don't see how the "club" intends to keep our interest up in the meanwhile (10 years?)
We need to see a Wasps side playing - for me it doesn't matter where or who the players are.
I'll buy a season ticket no matter where we play, although Kent probably rules out home matches for me. I shall be nearly 90 then!
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Where are you, BdeB?
I am in Ickham, where my wife's father used to be vicar.
I am in Canterbury where I am a vicar!
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I know it?s a very personal thing but I can?t see the direct correlation between not being able to attend matches and not following Wasps. I quite understand that the live matchday experience is great but there is a lot around that and, as others have said, there are away games and TV.
+1 people manage to support Premier League football teams from the other side of the world without ever realistically having the chance to see them live. Each to their own though.
Don't think anyone is saying they are going to stop following wasps if the new ground is in Kent, just that it's not viable to attend home matches. I know for sure my son will still want the new kits and to go to games at Northampton, Leicester etc. just a shame most of our money will end up funding other clubs
^^ This. I went to/supported Wasps at home in the 80s, because it was geographically within my means, living as I did right next to Egham station. Kent will not be. IF Wasps are more local for some games, I can rock up to those. Financially, it's winners and losers for Wasps. But, while we all know some Kentish Wasps, there will not be many, just as there were few when they decided to move to Coventry, my back yard as it were for the last 30 years, and my first 20 years (as a lad). So, they will be back to building a STH fan base again.
But, I won't be as financially committed, buying tickets when it suits me. Priorities change.
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Perfectly fair.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67211621
Worcester Warriors' administrators Begbies Traynor say they are still owed ?1.2m if prospective new owners Atlas are to finalise their purchase.
The latest interim 'progress report' issued by Begbies Traynor shows that Atlas missed a self-imposed deadline to complete the deal earlier this month.
Atlas were last month given more time to finalise the buying of the troubled ex-Premiership club.
They are now under the control of Chris Holland, who also owns Wasps.
Holland, who this week announced a plan to move Wasps to Kent, took over last month as Atlas majority shareholder.
When Atlas were announced as new Warriors owners in May, having paid ?2m to complete the purchase of WRFC Trading Limited, they were required to pay another ?1m by 9 October.
But they did not meet that deadline and one of Holland's companies, Loxwood Holdings, now own the 97% holding of WRFC Trading by default as original Atlas owners Jim O'Toole and James Sandford had failed to repay a loan by the due date of 28 May.
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Where ever Wasps end up it will mean supporters will have to make a hard decision on what form their support will take.
Some stopped supporting the club when it moved to Coventry, some others (myself included) supported form a far & at whatever few home or away games I could get to. Some embraced it & continued as before while new supporters were collected form the Midlands.
If Wasps pull off a stadium in Kent as suggested (a MASSIVE if IMO) then I will be able to return to supporting at as many home games as I can get to, even though I know others will change to supporting from the sofa. We're all fans at the end of the day.
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https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/rugby-giants-wasps-eye-once-in-a-generation-move-to-kent-295639/
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0gnjxj2?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
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Another section of the press-
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/wasps-buzz-into-kent-on-hunt-for-new-stadium/
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We've been played three times over property deals and always emerged in a worse state than when we went into them.
This time it's with, possibly, I'm not sure where the money comes from, a local authority. Sadly those guys are hardly models of financial probity.
If a hotel, conference centre, essential to the deal as a stadium used a few times a year won't fill the coffers, was such a good idea then why isn't there one there already?
What basis is there for suggesting that a stadium could be filled for home games? With interest rates unlikely to return to near-zero levels the interest charge alone will be huge. Lenders will think "Wasps? Oh yes, Coventry. What a mess. No thanks." and pass on the deal.
We haven't been living in the real world for some time now. Stadia, hotels, players, all cost money. Cut your cloth according to your means.
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It is only going in to the local 'Call for Sites'. It could 1-5 years before that gets in to an approved Local Plan (if it does at all). Then 1-2 years to get planning permission. Then 1-2 years to build. During all this time, who owns the land? Who finances the process, and then the build? Who 'owns' it after all that?
This is a very tenuous peek in to a possible future, to a time when I will be lucky to even be able to remember my name. In an era when we will wistfully remember petrol.
This has nothing to do with the now and next season, that's for sure.
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Could I be so bold to suggest that stopping the sniffing of petrol might improve longer term memory prospects😃
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On a more serious note, the bit I?m struggling with is the idea of a short-term fix in Worcester. If the longer term plan is a move to Kent, what is the strategy on building a brand and a fan base?
My take is this looks like two tactics bolted together dressed up as a strategy. In other words, it?s just tactics without strategy.
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I think my personal clogs will be well and truly popped by then!