LOYAL DRAGON
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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23752269-5001023,00.html
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.
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.
