<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Prestwick @ Feb 26 2009, 09:02 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Feb 26 2009, 05:44 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Edward Griffiths interview on The Rugby Club now; Typical spin and not really answering any questions.
Things really aren't looking good for Sarries right now.[/b]
I disagree, the guy has had some big brass cahjones to not only come onto the Saracens Unofficial board but to stay there and actually answer questions patiently and letting the board admin control the discussion. Can you name a CEO of any GP club that has done that recently, in the middle of such turmoil and panic? Thought not.
As a few of my fellow fans have done, I've taken a step back and gone over everything again and I'm going to wait and see. It isn't looking good but then again at least this way the club can make steps towards becoming financially viable. And as Steve has just posted, it isn't a done deal that the GP is going to see a team otherwise known as the Springboks first XV next season..
EDIT: one positive thing that all of this kerfuffle has done is suddenly bring loads of the Sarries fans who are occassional attenders from the outer limit's of its traditional catchment area (outer Hertfordshire and Essex) onto the board.
We're absolutely swarming with new members all passionate about getting their say across.[/b][/quote]
where are they all!! looks like you and me and steynboi still!
Just read Dallaglio's tuppence on the matter. I have to say I agree with him; it's all very well getting rid of mercenaries, journeymen and so on but for players like Sorrell it's very hard.
Saracens becoming financially viable is reliant on marketing ourselves properly, which we haven't done over the last few years.
I'll take a look at all the 'London' clubs. Harlequins are the only ones who are technically a London club; I count Saracens as well cos we're inside the M25, but Wasps and Irish are both out in the sticks.
And surprise surprise, Quins are easily the best marketed club in the South-East. They really do impress me, and I have to say that if I were a new rugby fan this season, then I'd support them too. They've got a snazzy kit; they've got the RL branch, they've really driven home the idea that they are alone as a London club, they've got a great ground that they're filling up regularly.
And here's the real telltale - Quins and Wasps both used Twickenham recently for big games. I went to both. Quins vs Leicester was used as a marketing oppurtunity pure and simple. They got a max of 50,000 into Twickenham but would have got more if the top tier was open. They got a new kit for the match, and it clearly wasn't about making money that day because tickets went at £10 a pop.
Wasps on the other hand got 30,000 in for the HC game against Leinster. It says it all. Quins are really spreading their name and their brand out to new audiences; Wasps just looking for a quick buck and probably not quite getting there.
Sarries and Wasps are in the same boat atm. The future, success wise, does not look bright. We play in rubbish football stadiums and have limited fans. Saracens do need to do something to start functioning as a business... and maybe trying to become the Walkabout of rugby is a viable option. I'd certainly move stadiums to Fulham if this was the case...
or hold on! Loftus Road! All the streets around White City Estate are called South Africa Road, Mandela Way, Australia Road and so on! Loftus Road even shares a name with a famous SA stadium...
