Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

First topic message reminder :

I understand that some players haven't had a break for a while, but still, either it's a must-win game (with a bonus point) or it isn't.

[Stone Motif]

Anyway, back to the Drags. Situation "perilous" apparently.

Not as perilous as it is for the club whose assets are being stripped for the benefit of their 72 nearest rivals

[Stone Motif]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

Jesus Christ

[Stone Motif]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

[Stone Motif]

I have read on WoL Mike Ruddock saying that the reasons are manufactured compared to the Irish provinces which were geographically formed.

But Gwent is in the same boat in that regard.

It has an ancient history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Gwent

A more modern history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwent_(county)

And a rugby history - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPKMDv0-3BE

Not to mention it is georgraphically bigger than any one of it's constituent clubs and it's whole player development pathway is about being the best in the area to go on and represent it. I don't understand why one wouldn't build on it?

Not this mist and moonbeams horsesh1t as well. No matter what the history the foundation is the money. The Irish have been very cute in that regard and it's got nothing to do with who was king of what in 936AD. I cannot fathom why people cannot get this. It's professional sport not A-level history.

[GavinDragon]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

[GavinDragon]

I have read on WoL Mike Ruddock saying that the reasons are manufactured compared to the Irish provinces which were geographically formed.

But Gwent is in the same boat in that regard.

It has an ancient history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Gwent

A more modern history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwent_(county)

And a rugby history - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPKMDv0-3BE

Not to mention it is georgraphically bigger than any one of it's constituent clubs and it's whole player development pathway is about being the best in the area to go on and represent it. I don't understand why one wouldn't build on it?

Not this mist and moonbeams horsesh1t as well. No matter what the history the foundation is the money. The Irish have been very cute in that regard and it's got nothing to do with who was king of what in 936AD. I cannot fathom why people cannot get this. It's professional sport not A-level history.

And professional sport could be on it's way out of this area unless people like YOU get with the times.

[Cardiff Dave]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

I would go for a name that reflected the industry thank links the entire region. Gwent Stealers would be my preference.

Fixed. Meh!

[Cardiff Dave]

Anyway, back to the Drags. Situation "perilous" apparently.

Not as perilous as it is for the club whose assets are being stripped for the benefit of their 72 nearest rivals

Aye.

[Cardiff Dave]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

Gwent won WW2 did they?
As you like your history Gav, why not find out what's been going on over the last 14 years at Rodders. Must've been doing something wrong if you ask me.

[GavinDragon]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

Gwent won WW2 did they?
As you like your history Gav, why not find out what's been going on over the last 14 years at Rodders. Must've been doing something wrong if you ask me.

We came third in our first season. Then, as the amount of ££ Hazell and Brown were willing to put in reduced, or the cost of the pro game increased, we started slipping down the table which made us unable to keep our best players.

Bisley stand was built to generate non match day income and it does so.

Look, I am in favour of NRFC keeping RP. It is their ground and the way they appear to be being strongarmed into this is wrong. But the region needs to move forward as a pro Gwent region. Gwent in name, colour and build it's own tradition. My preferred option would be for WRU to enter into a long term lease of RP with the ability to develop and generate revenue, but, crucially, with NRFC retaining ownership and securing their future.

[Steffan]

I'd scrap the Dragons and just have Newport RFC as the only professional team in Gwent personally (at Rodney Parade of course)

[Stone Motif]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

You're the one banging on about the Kingdom of Gwent ad museum. Don't be such a hypocrite.

[Stone Motif]

I have read on WoL Mike Ruddock saying that the reasons are manufactured compared to the Irish provinces which were geographically formed.

But Gwent is in the same boat in that regard.

It has an ancient history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Gwent

A more modern history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwent_(county)

And a rugby history - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPKMDv0-3BE

Not to mention it is georgraphically bigger than any one of it's constituent clubs and it's whole player development pathway is about being the best in the area to go on and represent it. I don't understand why one wouldn't build on it?

Not this mist and moonbeams horsesh1t as well. No matter what the history the foundation is the money. The Irish have been very cute in that regard and it's got nothing to do with who was king of what in 936AD. I cannot fathom why people cannot get this. It's professional sport not A-level history.

And professional sport could be on it's way out of this area unless people like YOU get with the times.

at least if the ground does go to housing we know a man who can shift the goalposts...

The rest of Europe - including the staunchest bastion of union control across the Irish sea - is looking for ways to increase private input into the game and lo and behold here we are selling up lock stock to the WRU. Do you think this is progress?

Is it right that the ground of the club that kept this ginger step child if a merger on life support is pimped off because none of the other clubs in the so-called region have done a thing to support it financially in over a decade? Is it right that said club can't leverage the asset themselves because of third party loan liabilities secured by the region against their asset?

For an ideologist you have an astounding lack of morals.

[Stone Motif]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

I would go for a name that reflected the industry thank links the entire region. Gwent Stealers would be my preference.

Fixed. Meh!

Cuckoos might be better...I hear there's another club that own that moniker but it's not as if the NGD aren't up for taking things that don't belong to them.

[RiscaGame]

Play in Black and Amber too. All sorted then Stone

[Stone Motif]

Play in Black and Amber too. All sorted then Stone

Yeah, OK, let's dumb this down to that level.

[RiscaGame]

Just a little joke seeing as you loosely mentioned Risca RFC. Pretty spikey, aren't you?

[Stone Motif]

Just a little joke seeing as you loosely mentioned Risca RFC. Pretty spikey, aren't you?

Yeah my bad this identity shizzle does that to me

[Stone Motif]

Plus the thought of Dave Parade ending up in the hands of an organisation responsible for more clusterf3cks than Vivid Video, and some thinking this is a good thing

[RiscaGame]

Dim problem.

I get it about your second post too.

[mikey_dragon]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

You're the one banging on about the Kingdom of Gwent ad museum. Don't be such a hypocrite.

You're right. Gwent history should be in a museum.

[Stone Motif]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

You're the one banging on about the Kingdom of Gwent ad museum. Don't be such a hypocrite.

You're right. Gwent history should be in a museum.

Mia culpa

[Cardiff Dave]

Ketchup on the top shelf claimed:
“We want a minimum of a 10-year agreement but the WRU have again moved the goalposts. Last week it was the squash club at Rodney Parade, this week it’s this hitch.

“We want a deal that guarantees the future of professional rugby at Rodney Parade."

[Cardiff Dave]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

2003 called. It wants it's horsesh1t back

Yawn. We won the second world war in 1945. Are all Germans now Nazi's?

How long do you want to keep dragging a 13 year old, devoid of context, argument up to block progress?

You're the one banging on about the Kingdom of Gwent ad museum. Don't be such a hypocrite.

You're right. Gwent history should be in a museum.

"And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to seem 'em".

They were gonna build flats on CAP not so long ago. I lost the love then.

[Cardiff Dave]

Story still lacking meat on the bones.....

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15169056.Dragons_deal_hits_major_snag/?ref=twtrec

[mikey_dragon]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

[LordDowlais]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

[munkian]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15171030.WRU_to_outline_proposed_takeover_of_Newport_Gwent_Dragons/

[Cardiff Dave]

I'm reminded of another quote.....

"You can stuff it up your arse for nothing and feck off while you're doing it!"

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm reminded of another quote.....

"You can stuff it up your arse for nothing and feck off while you're doing it!"

Now there's a film!

[Cardiff Dave]

I'm reminded of another quote.....

"You can stuff it up your arse for nothing and feck off while you're doing it!"

Now there's a film!

Aye and perhaps a useful phrase for the up and coming Newport RFC shareholder's meeting?

[Guest]

Call me a pessimist but I can see the WRU announcing a deal to takeover the Dragons, the NRFC shareholders turning it down, Brown and Hazell walking as they seem to be planning anyway, and then RP being sold for property development. We then won't have either pro OR semi-pro rugby in Newport at all. I'm not overly keen on a WRU takeover, but can't see rugby continuing at RP unless a deal can be struck and the shareholders agreeing to it. Someone tell me there's a 3rd alternative? Who is going to invest if not the WRU? The current backers are off post haste, it would seem.

[Cardiff Dave]

As ever, the Devil's in the detail which is still lacking it seems. Should hear more today I spose....

"FoNR dismayed at possible outcome...

The Trust has discussed the situation in the light of what we learned from our meetings with the WRU and with Stuart Davies last week. Certain information was given to us in confidence and of course we will respect that. However if the WRU are to step in they will need to make considerable investments in the ground, including installing a new pitch and bringing other facilities up to standard. It is understandable that they would only be able to make that commitment if they own the ground.

It has been suggested that part of the ground be sold to clear debts, but the land values don’t seem to be high enough to do that and make the investments needed in the pitch and facilities. The loans secured on the ground include substantial sums owed to Tony Brown and Martyn Hazell but it is not clear how much of those loans needs to be repaid and how much, if any, will be written off. It’s also likely that a partial sale will take too long.

The situation is very serious and although there might be other options time is running short and lack of clarity on certain matters is proving difficult to overcome.

The supporters have been told on several occasions that Newport Rugby Club would be left debt free. Nobody ever imagined that this would be achieved by selling the ground and leaving it asset free as well. Many supporters will feel badly let down if this goes ahead."


"CEO to meet concerned supporters...

All Newport supporters are invited to attend a meeting with CEO Stuart Davies at 1900 in the Business Suite of the Bisley Stand at Rodney Parade on Monday evening, March 27th.

Stuart will answer questions concerning recent media speculation over the future of the club and any potential sale of the ground."

http://fonr.co.uk/

[Stone Motif]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

What makes you think the WRU will be able to invest a penny more than the current owners?

[Stone Motif]

Call me a pessimist but I can see the WRU announcing a deal to takeover the Dragons, the NRFC shareholders turning it down, Brown and Hazell walking as they seem to be planning anyway, and then RP being sold for property development. We then won't have either pro OR semi-pro rugby in Newport at all. I'm not overly keen on a WRU takeover, but can't see rugby continuing at RP unless a deal can be struck and the shareholders agreeing to it. Someone tell me there's a 3rd alternative? Who is going to invest if not the WRU? The current backers are off post haste, it would seem.

There is a third way, but it would have involved the debts being wavered. As it is, can't put it better than I saw on another thread - "the parasite has killed the host"

[Guest]

Up until yesterday all I've read is how Hazell and Brown are happy to write off the debts owed to them. Since yesterday, however, the news is all about how much is owed to them and how the ground needs to be sold off so they can recoup some of their debts. Weird.

[munkian]

I'm reminded of another quote.....

"You can stuff it up your arse for nothing and feck off while you're doing it!"

PONCE !

[munkian]

Announcement expected this afternoon. As Long as they sort out the bogs I don't really give a flying toss anymore.

[LordDowlais]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

What makes you think the WRU will be able to invest a penny more than the current owners?

Because if they do not, what is the point of it all ?

They might as well scrap the region if they are not going to at least bring it up to the level of the other three regions.

[munkian]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

What makes you think the WRU will be able to invest a penny more than the current owners?

Because if they do not, what is the point of it all ?

They might as well scrap the region if they are not going to at least bring it up to the level of the other three regions.

Hopefully to a higher level than the Turks who are in the red

[LordDowlais]

Hopefully to a higher level than the Turks who are in the red Hug

Hopefully to a higher level than all of them.

[Cardiff Dave]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

What makes you think the WRU will be able to invest a penny more than the current owners?

Because if they do not, what is the point of it all ?

They might as well scrap the region if they are not going to at least bring it up to the level of the other three regions.

Hopefully to a higher level than the Turks who are in the red

As much as Cardiff?

[munkian]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

What makes you think the WRU will be able to invest a penny more than the current owners?

Because if they do not, what is the point of it all ?

They might as well scrap the region if they are not going to at least bring it up to the level of the other three regions.

Hopefully to a higher level than the Turks who are in the red

As much as Cardiff?

I didn't want to summon he who should not be named.

[Cardiff Dave]

Well that's that for the flipping WOL brigade then. You may leave now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/39260052

Good.

I now hope they show this region the respect it deserves and funds it and manages it properly. Not like the current bunch of clowns are doing. We need 4 strong regions, only then will we reap the rewards on the international stage.

What makes you think the WRU will be able to invest a penny more than the current owners?

Because if they do not, what is the point of it all ?

They might as well scrap the region if they are not going to at least bring it up to the level of the other three regions.

Maybe the point of it all is to "property develop" Rodders now or a bit later on, whatever? Dunno and I can't envisage the Dragons experiment working out much better even if a few extra quid is thrown in. More to this whole shebang than meets the eye. Just like the CCS fiasco. Gotta look beyond the facade to discover what the deal is.

[LordDowlais]

Maybe the point of it all is to "property develop" Rodders now or a bit later on, whatever? Dunno and I can't envisage the Dragons experiment working out much better even if a few extra quid is thrown in. More to this whole shebang than meets the eye. Just like the CCS fiasco. Gotta look beyond the facade to discover what the deal is.

HMmmmmmmm......

How very conspiracy theory of you.

I dunno, perhaps your right.

Perhaps the WRU are finally seeing a way to getting what they wanted over a decade ago. One region in the south east (Cardiff), one region in the South West (Swansea), one region up North. The only stumbling block they now have are Scarlets.

So there's only one question. What colours do you nail to the mast ?

[munkian]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wru-make-major-announcement-future-12778757

[LordDowlais]

“The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) today formally announced its intention to assume operational control of the Newport Gwent Dragons (NGD) region, both on and off the field – with a targeted completion date of 1st July - after reaching ‘heads of terms’ agreement.
“The WRU has been working closely with the NGD board for some time, to help find external investment and to explore how the WRU can support the region as it moves into a new ambitious phase of development.
“The proposed transaction includes the purchase of the nine-acre Rodney Parade site in its entirety – for a price which has been mutually agreed, deemed to be a fair offer and has been ratified by the Boards of the WRU, Newport RFC and NGD - but must still be ratified by the shareholders of Newport RFC.
“On completion of the proposed transaction all current NGD employees will be taken on by the WRU and a new company will be formed which will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the WRU and will be free of any historic debt.
“The WRU also plans to make required investments in the Rodney Parade pitch and stadium and provide WRU expertise and resources, ensuring that the infrastructure in the region is in keeping with the requirements of professional rugby and the Guinness Pro12 competition in which it participates.
“WRU Group chief executive Martyn Phillips points out that the investment is, first and foremost, about safeguarding the future of rugby in Gwent, safeguarding the future of Newport RFC at Rodney Parade and enabling a sustainable professional entity which is attractive to further future investment (NGD).”

[Cardiff Dave]

Maybe the point of it all is to "property develop" Rodders now or a bit later on, whatever? Dunno and I can't envisage the Dragons experiment working out much better even if a few extra quid is thrown in. More to this whole shebang than meets the eye. Just like the CCS fiasco. Gotta look beyond the facade to discover what the deal is.

HMmmmmmmm......

How very conspiracy theory of you.

I dunno, perhaps your right.

Perhaps the WRU are finally seeing a way to getting what they wanted over a decade ago. One region in the south east (Cardiff), one region in the South West (Swansea), one region up North. The only stumbling block they now have are Scarlets.

So there's only one question. What colours do you nail to the mast ?

Well I sort of still vaguely remember the CCS saga, so i'm very wary of what is said, what isn't said and the drip, drip of info. Must've lasted around 5 or 6 years I reckon including the 3 seasons at Leckwith.

[LordDowlais]

[LordDowlais]

Oh well then, what is the new name going to be ?

"the WRU Dragons" ?

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