wajimun
09-02-09, 08:09 AM
Souths must go north
By Tom Smithies | February 09, 2009 12:00am
IT may have been the day South Sydney returned to their spiritual home of Redfern Oval, but one of their legends yesterday insisted they should move.
Speaking in the bowels of the newly refurbished ground after completing a lap of honour, Ron Coote was adamant the club should play out of John Singleton's Bluetongue Stadium at Gosford.
"I think that's where their home is," Coote said. "Souths fans are everywhere. They're not just in the Redfern area. Commercially, they would be much better off to be at a ground that can hold nearly 50,000 people. There's all the corporate support they can attract. Singo wants to look after them. To me it's a no-brainer."
Souths co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court vowed to never move the club up the F3 Freeway when their privatisation bid was successful in 2006. But the NRL confirmed $8 million in incentives was still on the table for a Sydney club willing to move to the Central Coast.
The Rabbitohs signed a long-term deal in 2007 to play out of ANZ Stadium at Homebush.
"If we're going to come back to Redfern, why don't we go all the way and come back to the Sydney Football Stadium?" former halfback and coach Craig Coleman said.
Another South Sydney great, John Sattler, wants to see an improbable $21 million redevelopment of the ground everyone came to pay homage to yesterday.
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Hmmm, one wonders if this isn't a preemptive strike to test the resolve of supporters or at least gain some market research for another go later this year :hmmmm:
There are still many supporters who believe that because of privatisation and the Member Co that we are protected from relocation...poor, poor simple minded fools.
By Tom Smithies | February 09, 2009 12:00am
IT may have been the day South Sydney returned to their spiritual home of Redfern Oval, but one of their legends yesterday insisted they should move.
Speaking in the bowels of the newly refurbished ground after completing a lap of honour, Ron Coote was adamant the club should play out of John Singleton's Bluetongue Stadium at Gosford.
"I think that's where their home is," Coote said. "Souths fans are everywhere. They're not just in the Redfern area. Commercially, they would be much better off to be at a ground that can hold nearly 50,000 people. There's all the corporate support they can attract. Singo wants to look after them. To me it's a no-brainer."
Souths co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court vowed to never move the club up the F3 Freeway when their privatisation bid was successful in 2006. But the NRL confirmed $8 million in incentives was still on the table for a Sydney club willing to move to the Central Coast.
The Rabbitohs signed a long-term deal in 2007 to play out of ANZ Stadium at Homebush.
"If we're going to come back to Redfern, why don't we go all the way and come back to the Sydney Football Stadium?" former halfback and coach Craig Coleman said.
Another South Sydney great, John Sattler, wants to see an improbable $21 million redevelopment of the ground everyone came to pay homage to yesterday.
---------------------
Hmmm, one wonders if this isn't a preemptive strike to test the resolve of supporters or at least gain some market research for another go later this year :hmmmm:
There are still many supporters who believe that because of privatisation and the Member Co that we are protected from relocation...poor, poor simple minded fools.