Scottish Pro team thread

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First topic message reminder :

There doesn't seem to be much going on but I thought it might be an idea to set up a thread devoted to transfers, coaching news and general new information to do with the Scottish pro clubs over the summer

[jimbopip]

Say what you want about his rugby and management skills but the man has seen a bit of life. He brought up two children virtually single-handedly, when his wife Lesley having died of leukaemia in her late 20s. That's one tough b@stard.
 
He still needs to cut his hair, mind.

As Willie McIlvanney says in "A drunken Glaswegian meets Frankenstien's monster",
" See God he's a big vandal so he is"
To lose your wife at such a young age; how do you find the strength to get out of bed each day?

[RDW]

Really is desperately sad - massive achievement for him to have got so far after early devastation like that.

Although in better news we're no longer on bumface page! 

[Imperialbigdave]

Regardless of what happens in the rest of his tenure, his questionable tactics during the 6N, and his ridiculously rapid series of promotions, Johnson has been a breath of fresh air. I just hope he isnt going to man sausage evertything up as director of rugby.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

He's done well to write his own job description, it has to be said - not often that you get to do that!

[EWT Spoons]

There is a rumour going round the Edinburgh forum that this is potentially going to be the new home of Edinburgh Rugby, which is one of the main reasons for the size.  2500 seating with 2500 available for standing, and, whilst I haven’t seen the plans, I believe this would still leave space for some future expansion.

Accies redevelopment

Personally I think this would be a decent move for Edinburgh, if this is indeed the plan.  There does however, seem to be a mixed reaction from locals in terms of this development, so might not happen I guess (if its even the plan at all).

Any thoughts on whether this would be a likely & good/bad move for Edinburgh?

[RDW]

I personally think it would be fantastic, and exactly what Edinburgh Rugby – and indeed rugby in general in Edinburgh – need. Obviously it would depend on the final plans, but 5000 seems about right, although ideally it should be possible to increase capacity if required (as per Scotstoun).

There are issues of course, with parking, access and crowd movements being the main one. Unless people exit through the park, the only exit will be onto the main street in Stockbridge – 5000 people leaving at the same time will cause pandemonium.

Put it this way – I much prefer this idea to the one mooted at Meadowbank, which although bigger space and better access it is not a nice area to get to, and I certainly wouldn’t want to drink at many pubs there!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I love how fES has used the pseudonym 'Bruce Thompson' - you'd never guess that it was him!!!

[EWT Spoons]

My understanding of the proposal (which is limited at best) is that part of the ground is being developed for spectators and the other developments, the rest is going to be empty, and could therefore potentially be used for further capacity going forward.

This could of course just be a load of rubbish and folk on the Edinburgh forum putting 2+2 together and getting 12 but still nice to dream that something is being considered. Plus at £8m for the redevelopments, I’d assume Accies are getting some financial help on this one, the retail units will help, but I wonder if the SRU are picking up part of the tab.

You’re right though about the traffic/footfall issues, and it would appear this isn’t being considered as part of the development. Mind you, Edinburgh playing their matches there doesn’t seem to be a suggestion in the proposal.

[EWT Spoons]

I love how fES has used the pseudonym 'Bruce Thompson' - you'd never guess that it was him!!!

Having a whopping great big picture attached to the article probably didn't help with the old secret identity.

[RDW]

Mind you, Edinburgh playing their matches there doesn’t seem to be a suggestion in the proposal.

....which would be a key consideration in a planning application!

Maybe they just want to get the thing build then push for Edinburgh to use it.

The other thing to remember is how much Stockbridge would benefit from this - 3000 - 5000 people looking for pubs, shops, cafes, restaurants etc. pre and post match - that will significantly boost business!

[Weegie Wizard]

This could be just the thing Edinburgh are looking for. You're right about it not mentioning Edinburgh playing there in the plans but Accies wouldn't need that sort of capacity on their own so it must be the intention.

Any idea how long it would take?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

So Glasgow have performed the very astute move of appointing Kenny Murray as an assistant coach - he joins big Shade Munro (forwards) and Matt Taylor (defence) - excellent piece of business that strengthens the coaching set-up considerably

[RDW]

Weegie wizard – once planning is approved it won’t take long to throw up a small stadium and retail development like that. Should be good to go for next season, if the residents’ legal action doesn’t hold things up considerably. In fact they are already building something – last time I was there they had dug down a large basement level and were pouring concrete.

ASBO – is that the Ayr coach? What will he be his coaching remit? Backs I’m assuming if they already have a forwards and defence coach?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

RDW, Not specified in the stuff that I've seen, but I'd presume backs or attack maybe? It is the Ayr coach btw

[RDW]

Thanks ASBO.

Great to see a successful Scottish coach get the opportunity – he couldn’t have done any more to stake his claim! I’m assuming Toony was in charge of those kind of things last season? He must have done a pretty good job judging by Glasgow’s attack last season! I’m assuming this means Toony is going to focus on more of the management that comes with being head coach, but I suspect he won’t completely cut back his coaching time.

So Glasgow have 4 coaches now and Edinburgh have none???

That’s something I’ve not thought about with regards to the whole coaching fiasco – we are still waiting on a head coach but we also need attack/backs, defence and forwards coaches!

[EWT Spoons]

Good move by Glasgow in my opinion, he seems to have done a good job at Ayr. Also nice that a coach in the prem is being given a chance to step up.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I suspect that Toonie found his plate fairly full with overall direction, plus backs and attack - bringing in Kenny Murray to pick up attack coaching say, would make things far more manageable.

RDW, at least you have Stevie Scott on a part-time basis?!

[Weegie Wizard]

Good to see the appointment of Murray although I didn't think there was a need for another coach. As for Edinburgh, the playoff between the Lions and the Kings in Super Rugby is tonight so this weekend might be interesting if Solomon is the target (if there is one).

[RDW]

Where's FES when you need him to offer an incite into the goings on in Stockbridge?

[funnyExiledScot]

Ta da!

Haven't got a clue to be honest. The Raeburn has been a derelict site for a long while now, and if the plan is to get Edinburgh playing there then I'm entirely in favour. It'll make my walk to the games 5 minutes instead of 30 minutes, which should hopefully tip the vote in favour of building something rather than leaving an empty field. I'll let them know.

5000 seems slightly on the small side mind for Edinburgh - I'd have though 10,000 was more what we need. I guess we could always revert to Murrayfield for the big games.

[funnyExiledScot]

So Glasgow have performed the very astute move of appointing Kenny Murray as an assistant coach - he joins big Shade Munro (forwards) and Matt Taylor (defence) - excellent piece of business that strengthens the coaching set-up considerably

Stop gloating.

[RDW]

In other related news...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23463388

[funnyExiledScot]

I think Edinburgh would be better off taking over Easter Road, now that Hibs have given up playing football.....

Actually I take that back. The area around Easter Road and Meadowbank smells nearly as bad as Glasgow.

[EWT Spoons]

5000 seems slightly on the small side mind for Edinburgh - I'd have though 10,000 was more what we need. I guess we could always revert to Murrayfield for the big games.

There does still seem the opportunity to expand further down the line as only one side is being developed. 5k should be enough for now, expanding to more when demand is there.

Plus as you say there is always Murrayfield.

[funnyExiledScot]

Not sure I can remember what the average crowds were last season, but I'm pretty sure we'd have exceeded 5000 on a few occasions, and we certainly don't want to be turning fans away (or hiking ticket prices on a supply/demand basis).

I'm not convinced 5000 will do the trick, particularly when you factor in all the new fans that will be travelling from Hawick each week as a result of the marketing sensation that is the forthcoming friendly against Newcastle.

[RDW]

http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=competition&CompID=383&statType=home_Att

Edinburgh 2012 / 2013 in the Rabbo

Average - 3779
Highest - 4304 (I'm assuming they have missed the Glasgow game)
Lowest - 3128

Edinburgh 2011/2012 in the rabbo

Average - 4,264
Highest - 13,246(Glasgow game)
Lowest - 2,364

Although not sure how well they can be trusted considering we are called 'Edinburgh Reivers'!!

5k will be just fine for Rabbo games the now.

Our HK attendances were never less than 6k so we would need a bigger venue - Murrayfield.

[RDW]

Edinburgh had the 2nd lowest average attendance in the league - only Zebre were worse! 

What is perhaps more disappointing is that Glasgow had the 4th worst average attendance, despite doing so well - less than Connacht and the Dragons.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

So Glasgow have performed the very astute move of appointing Kenny Murray as an assistant coach - he joins big Shade Munro (forwards) and Matt Taylor (defence) - excellent piece of business that strengthens the coaching set-up considerably

Stop gloating.

I would never dream of doing that. How does Embra divvy up the coaching resposbilities?

[EWT Spoons]

You're possibly right, but I think it would be the exception rather than the norm.  If we have to start at 5k initially to then build as demand requires then I can live with that.

Edit - Just noticed RDW's post, suggests 5k should do for now.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Not sure I can remember what the average crowds were last season, but I'm pretty sure we'd have exceeded 5000 on a few occasions, and we certainly don't want to be turning fans away (or hiking ticket prices on a supply/demand basis).

I'm not convinced 5000 will do the trick, particularly when you factor in all the new fans that will be travelling from Hawick each week as a result of the marketing sensation that is the forthcoming friendly against Newcastle.

Fixed that for you, fES, no additional charge on this occasion

[RDW]

Not sure I can remember what the average crowds were last season, but I'm pretty sure we'd have exceeded 5000 on a few occasions, and we certainly don't want to be turning fans away (or hiking ticket prices on a supply/demand basis).

I'm not convinced 5000 will do the trick, particularly when you factor in all the new fans that will be travelling from Hawick each week as a result of the marketing sensation that is the forthcoming friendly against Newcastle.

 Fixed that for you, fES, no additional charge on this occasion

Now if there's one thing the Weege can't slag us off about is match attendance - to only have an average attendance of 400 greater than us when:

The population is 100,000 greater in Glasgow

Edinburgh were mince last season

Glasgow were very good


says it all!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Population of Glasgow less avid followers of roundball < Population of Edinburgh (plus Hawick)

[funnyExiledScot]

So Glasgow have performed the very astute move of appointing Kenny Murray as an assistant coach - he joins big Shade Munro (forwards) and Matt Taylor (defence) - excellent piece of business that strengthens the coaching set-up considerably

Stop gloating.

I would never dream of doing that.  How does Embra divvy up the coaching resposbilities?

We don't. We just don't do coaching. Can't you tell?

[RDW]

Population of Glasgow less avid followers of roundball < Population of Edinburgh (plus Hawick)

I need proof. 

[funnyExiledScot]

Not bothered by Glasgow's attendances. Once the mighty Glasgow Rangers are back in the top flight, I'd say 90% of the new fair weather Warriors fans will flock back to Ibrox, leaving just Schiz and Jimbo drinking away in the gym hall.

[jimbopip]

Not bothered by Glasgow's attendances. Once the mighty Glasgow Rangers are back in the top flight, I'd say 90% of the new fair weather Warriors fans will flock back to Ibrox, leaving just Schiz and Jimbo drinking away in the gym hall.

An empty scout hut would mean we get served all the quicker AND the delightful Grouse Ginger Laydeez would have no-one else to tempt with their wares. Also Fes you forgot UIG, I'm sure he would be easily recognised, even in a crowded scout hut.
Also, since I'm about to disappear for a month can I just say the new strips are shoite.
OR
The new strips are pure dead brilliant. (whoever thought of playing rugby in a onesie? Was it Ma Bennet?)
Anyway enjoy the summer, feel that the MFL's new home will arrive shortly after the tram stop is built outside it and cost slightly more than expected.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Brilliant Jimbo you old rogue ! Have a great holiday china. I had better watch or I will offend Mrs Robinson on here - the tw**  

[Imperialbigdave]

Brilliant Jimbo you old rogue !  Have a great holiday china.  I had better watch or I will offend Mrs Robinson on here - the tw**  

Take that giant head our your arse and dont flatter yourself. I call you out when you write utter sh1te, but once ive hit enter and moved off to do something else, you dont register in my thoughts. You dont offend me, I just dont like seeing blatantly false or spiteful stuff written about a team im passionate about from someone who isnt. Seeing as ive yet to see you write anything positive about anyone other than your beloved warriors, I dont take it personally. I just accept that youre a strange, angry little man and thats all the thought I give towards you.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

  Poor Mrs Robinson - who is the angry little man/woman now Bawbag?

[RDW]

21st - enough.

We've gone 16 pages without bickering, lets not start now!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Ok - but why do I get a warning and Mrs R does not ?

[RDW]

It's not a warning, just a plea for calmness!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Ok - point taken. Mrs R 's corsets too tight perhaps ?

[RDW]

That kind of comment doesn't really help schiz...

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Apologies. Will back off.

[RDW]

Thanks.

Anyway - I've started a thread on an interview with Rory Lamont on him being forced to play while being injured - well worth a read. A fairly shocking perspective on the bad practices in the game.

[George Carlin]

Schiz - solidarity brother, Scotland is weaker when Edinburgh continue to be underpowered. It's in everyone's interest when they are strong.

I'm delighted with Kenny Murray's appointment. Incidentally, both Glasgow AND Edinburgh advertised for a Scottish assistant coach to joint their coaching set-ups, the difference being that Glasgow have chosen their guy and made their appointment. Murray is a west of Scotland man through and through and knows an enormous amount about young Scottish players - Mark Bennett and Gordon Reid were brought on through him. I think Murray is the best club coach in Scotland and everyone I know who is associated with Ayr thinks so too.

[Imperialbigdave]

I'm delighted with Kenny Murray's appointment. Incidentally, both Glasgow AND Edinburgh advertised for a Scottish assistant coach to joint their coaching set-ups, the difference being that Glasgow have chosen their guy and made their appointment. Murray is a west of Scotland man through and through and knows an enormous amount about young Scottish players - Mark Bennett and Gordon Reid were brought on through him. I think Murray is the best club coach in Scotland and everyone I know who is associated with Ayr thinks so too.

I think its hard to argue with what hes turned Ayr into considering that they were not one of the traditional big clubs, although I think they definitely have to be considered one now. With Melrose in a transitional period, Curries star waning, and Gala still a young team albeit with enormous potential, I cant see Ayrs dominance being usurped any time soon.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Schiz - solidarity brother, Scotland is weaker when Edinburgh continue to be underpowered. It's in everyone's interest when they are strong.

I'm delighted with Kenny Murray's appointment. Incidentally, both Glasgow AND Edinburgh advertised for a Scottish assistant coach to joint their coaching set-ups, the difference being that Glasgow have chosen their guy and made their appointment. Murray is a west of Scotland man through and through and knows an enormous amount about young Scottish players - Mark Bennett and Gordon Reid were brought on through him. I think Murray is the best club coach in Scotland and everyone I know who is associated with Ayr thinks so too.

Pat MacArthur is one of his rugby prodigies too I believe. Excellent appointment and well done Kenny Murray - sends the right signal to other club coaches too. Continues the very obvious benefits to the Warriors and Ayr of continued close liaison. Ayr have a rather good setup across all age ranges.

What is Chick Chalmers doing now btw ?

[George Carlin]

Schiz - solidarity brother, Scotland is weaker when Edinburgh continue to be underpowered. It's in everyone's interest when they are strong.

I'm delighted with Kenny Murray's appointment. Incidentally, both Glasgow AND Edinburgh advertised for a Scottish assistant coach to joint their coaching set-ups, the difference being that Glasgow have chosen their guy and made their appointment. Murray is a west of Scotland man through and through and knows an enormous amount about young Scottish players - Mark Bennett and Gordon Reid were brought on through him. I think Murray is the best club coach in Scotland and everyone I know who is associated with Ayr thinks so too.

Pat MacArthur is one of his rugby prodigies too I believe.  Excellent appointment and well done Kenny Murray - sends the right signal to other club coaches too.    Continues the very obvious benefits to the Warriors and Ayr of continued close liaison.   Ayr have a rather good setup across all age ranges.

What is Chick Chalmers doing now btw ?

He's coaching a D2 side in Oxfordshire from what I recall. Which sounded to me at the time a lot like toys being tossed from a pram and he is biding his time in a nice part of the world until such time as the SRU comes off the medication and decides to employ Scottish coaches like him in plum jobs. I should add once again that he had every reason to be narked at the appointment of Townsend, who at the time was the only international attack coach on record to say that his side didn't need to score tries.

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