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Blow up Homebush: Singleton

El Diablo

Post Whore
Messages
94,107
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23752269-5001023,00.html
Blow up Homebush: Singleton
Article from: The Sunday Telegraph

By David Riccio

May 25, 2008 12:00am

MILLIONAIRE businessman and Central Coast stakeholder John Singleton has a simple solution for the NRL's funding crisis.

"The best thing Osama bin Laden could do to get the league fans on side in Australia is blow up Homebush Stadium,'' Singleton said.

"That's the greatest blight on sport. They (clubs) get a handout to play there, nobody watches on TV simply because it looks like nobody's there. It's a blight on TV ratings, the players hate it, I hate it, you hate it.''

Singleton urged NRL boss David Gallop to point struggling clubs towards the Central Coast after last night's clash between Melbourne and South Sydney at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium.

"There's always been too much competition in Sydney,'' Singleton said.

"Less is the magic number. There's one rugby union team (Waratahs), one AFL (Swans) team and there's nine rugby league teams.

"You've got to realise the NRL has offered money ($8million) to relocate permanently to the Central Coast.

"That's a lot of money - relocate and be successful.

"The clubs that are struggling know they can have that, but they would rather play in front of a few thousand every week at Homebush.''

Singleton drew comparisons with the thriving Gold Coast Titans, claiming a team situated on the Central Coast would be just as successful - both on and off the field.

"It would be just the Gold Coast all over again,'' Singleton said.

"It's the same demographic, same opportunities, except we've already got the ground. With 400,000 people versus 450,000, it's virtually the same population.

"It's the same amount of young and older people, with an equal amount of rugby league fanaticism. Instead, it's all been handed to soccer on a platter.''

Gallop confirmed a relocation package of $8m remained for Sydney's nine NRL clubs.

"The package would be conditional on the team meeting certain conditions,'' Gallop said.

"Most importantly, we'd be looking for a long-term commitment to the area.

"We would love to have a team on the Central Coast. It was a tough call between the Gold Coast and the Central Coast, but strategically it's proven to be the right move to go to the Gold Coast first.''

Gallop conceded there was concern from the NRL that playing in front of empty stadiums wasn't a good look for the game.

"There are certainly games at ANZ Stadium which don't attract a crowd befitting that stadium. However, for certain games the venue is an excellent facility,'' Gallop said.
 

Vossy

Bench
Messages
3,440
yes please

worst stadium ever..blow it up and build a proper league stadium..so awful cant play there and so it doesnt hurt the eyes when trying to watch on tv

only go there as its easy to get to..and doesnt take long to get there
 

butchmcdick

Immortal
Messages
49,079
How is this other than a PR exercise by singleton to get a team based fulltime out of a stadium he owns on the central coast ?

If you can't see his agenda here then you are blind
 

Moffo

Referee
Messages
23,986
i like singo, funny merkin

he can blow up kogarah oval whilst he is at it. not far for osama, quick drive down king georges road and up stony creek road from homebush will get him close
 

Timmah

LeagueUnlimited News Editor
Staff member
Messages
100,874
Let AFL buy it, build us a better one.

And move a team to Bluetongue.
 

salivor

First Grade
Messages
9,804
Let AFL buy it, build us a better one.

And move a team to Bluetongue.

For once we can agree on something Tim. ANZ is nothing but a cash cow for struggling Sydney clubs. Let the AFL have it, take all games away from there bar the GF, SOO and maybe a major semi and watch the ground become a white elephant and a money pit for the AFL.
 

t-ba

Post Whore
Messages
55,529
For once we can agree on something Tim. ANZ is nothing but a cash cow for struggling Sydney clubs. Let the AFL have it, take all games away from there bar the GF, SOO and maybe a major semi and watch the ground become a white elephant and a money pit for the AFL.

Bugger that. Shop it around to other major cities and make the AFL pay a sh*tload to get it at their stadium.

I was against the Grand Final being a travelling showcase, but can you imagine how huge it would be getting cities across Australasia bidding for the honour of holding the regions largest rating sporting event? imagine the kind of tourism dollar it could attract to cities like Auckland, Perth and Adelaide.
 

Timmah

LeagueUnlimited News Editor
Staff member
Messages
100,874
ANZ Bank, have done since before the naming rights. They have controlling stock in SAG (Stadium Australia Group) if memory serves correctly.
 

Timmah

LeagueUnlimited News Editor
Staff member
Messages
100,874
It's ahead of Parramatta in design and location tbh.

Gunning is a Newc. Jets supporter and is inclined to ridiculous bias when it comes to stuff like this.
 

NK Arsenal

Juniors
Messages
1,842
A four-sided stadium in inner western sydney -> a three-sided stadium on the central coast.

Ever had to sit in the away bays tim? They are absolute sh*t.

Sure the stadium is right next to Brisbane Water but who cares.
 

Timbo

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
20,270
A four-sided stadium in inner western sydney -> a three-sided stadium on the central coast.

Ever had to sit in the away bays tim? They are absolute sh*t.

Sure the stadium is right next to Brisbane Water but who cares.

From a round ball perspective where you're allocated seats as an awat fan, perhaps.

League fans who can sit wherever they want, it's an ace stadium.
 

NK Arsenal

Juniors
Messages
1,842
From a round ball perspective where you're allocated seats as an awat fan, perhaps.

League fans who can sit wherever they want, it's an ace stadium.
Somebody would have to sit in the crap bays

Seriously, there is no decent seat in that stadium.

sfx26751.jpg
 

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