What would the reaction of fans of BOPB and Bayonne be? Would they be happy to support this new entity or like the Welsh regions, would the new team be met with apathy?
I beleive that the reaction is going to be very mixed amongst supporters and the wider rugby world........there is little doubt that there are many supporters on both sides that will resist any "Fusion" very strongly to the point of boycotting it when it comes into being.
Already there are many on the BO side that are saying that it should never happen and Bayonne is not Basque! However, many people have told me that these people are not the true supporters who have the clubs' interests at heart or bought the season tickets or go to every match but the occcasional supporters who really go to matches at Anoeta only!
There are many hurdles before any negotiations can be successful, not least to overcome the type of response that dear old Gaston has exemplified, but the case for Fusion is overwhelming from a financial and geographical point if view. It is important that the culture of both clubs be combined as much as the playing staff but that is not to say that the executive management should be left in the hands of those who have driven the downward spiral of both clubs.
There have been discussions previously between the clubs, the Conseil General and the various municipalities about a new stadium and this can be achieved with the right mindset.......after all the "potential" (but certainly untapped) population base is into the millions as such a team could draw support, with proper marketing, from the likes of Northern Spain (as Biarritz already does to a very small extent to my knowledge) as well as the "real" South West of France outside of the towns themselves, neither of which is big enough!
There will, of course, be losers amongst the players and staff but, to be quite honest, there should be anyway as there are players, managers, physios and trainers on both sides that should not be involved with any Top 14 team.
Paramount will be the need for the present leaders, Blanco and Afflelou to take no more than a ***ular role but certainly not an executive role in the new organisation and for a powerful and competent Chief Executive to be appoiinted to run it as a business if it is to compete successsfully and, therefore suvive itself in the competitive business that is Top14 and European rugby!
If demotion to the Pro 2 is necessary under the rules, I would not object as it must be in the interests of both clubs, and certainly the Basque people, to have a sustainable Top 14 in the South West and Fusion is the only way that this can be achieved in the long term in my humble opinion!
