Central Coast Bears, 2013.

[age.s]

I just knew it would be Manly's fault somehow :lol:

You guys do yourselves no favours at all with comments like that. I live on the coast (springfield) and my boy plays juniors for the Erina eagles. I would love to see the old rivalry back, also to see a direct local path to the NRL for his age group, but shit comments like that makes me think a big f*ck you to the Bears.

Only Manly fans see it that way.

That big f**k you hatred that you have for each other is the makings of the best rivalry in the game. From that perspective it's one of the things the Bears bring to the table that's unique and a good selling point for the bid.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

If another QLD team is seen as too risky then there should be no expansion.

Thats geniused. And what if QLD doesn't have a team in the finals we should scrap the finals series for the season too?:roll:

 

[Beowulf]

FFS can some of you bears fans move on from 2006? Seriously, the Titans was the best, most logical choice for the NRL. The Bears weren't rejected because of some conspiracy.

The Bears bid was rejected in favour of a second Qld side within the Brisbane oztam metro area. It was also done to apease the QRL. It was also done to better tap into the juniors of Qld/Northern NSW.

The Bears were beaten because Gold Coast was better for the game as a whole. The same is true now of Perth and Ipswich. Its not a conspiracy, just the truth.

The problem is, its not just 2006. Its 1995 and 1997. Ken Arthurson GUARANTEED the Bears license if they stayed loyal iso going to Super League. That was the major pivot point that swung the Bears away from Super league, which was the logical and obvious move after Manly stayed loyal. That earned the ire of News Ltd.

Then we were also GUARANTEED safety if we took a regional license and moved to Gosford by Whittaker. Hence we went from financial security to -$2m in paying for the stadium and associated delays. News got their revenge then in the 'peace' deal by insisting on our destruction to protect their baby, Cronulla.

Yet we have access to such resources through our clubs/benefactors/sponsors that by 2006 we had recivered to be +$45m in the bank and a $50m guarantee from Singo.

Only Souths fans could have a glimmer of an understanding of what the Bears have been through. To say 'get over it' is not realistic, which is why Bears fans are either standing and fighting together now, or have already walked from the game. And the kids born here can't afford to stay - they move to the Coast, northern Beaches and Hills District. With no RL background, these areas will become Union/AFL/soccer breeding grounds, hence if we go, Manly will to in 10-20 years, but some of their fans can't see past their hatred - they need us like we need them.

 

[Beowulf]

I think most are missing the point that the NRL sees the GC as a more strategic place for a team than the CC. It is why they got chosen despite having a weaker bid. It is also the same reason they are likley to once again chose 2 places other than the CC for expansion. It's not often the NRL seem to have a long term vision but they clearly made this decision based on long term outcomes, particularly in TV rights. If teams cost extra to prop up that is a good investment as long as that region is adding greater value to the rights and sponsorship deals than it is costing keep the club running. Same reason they are willing to pump $4mill into Melbourne each year.

No doubting a lot of people wanted a team there for various reasons, but they couldn't set bid criteria or the Bears would win...hence they cancelled the proces then made a surprise announcement 6 months later that the Titans were in.

We know what the real criteria is courtesy of John Quayles comments the other day - its got not much to do with TV but more about sustainability, otherwise we'll be adding basket case after basket case till it all falls down.

The key criteria are: stadium, finances, support, low costs. Obviously we top on this judging, with other bids getting 3/4 at best.

While John Singleton is obviously biased, you wont find a more qualified or objective judge that John Quayle when he says the Bears should be in NOW.

 

[Goddo]

The problem is, its not just 2006. Its 1995 and 1997. Ken Arthurson GUARANTEED the Bears license if they stayed loyal iso going to Super League. That was the major pivot point that swung the Bears away from Super league, which was the logical and obvious move after Manly stayed loyal. That earned the ire of News Ltd.

Then we were also GUARANTEED safety if we took a regional license and moved to Gosford by Whittaker. Hence we went from financial security to -$2m in paying for the stadium and associated delays. News got their revenge then in the 'peace' deal by insisting on our destruction to protect their baby, Cronulla.

I know and the way the Bears were treated in the 90s was pretty bad. But the Bears financially put themselves in a precarious position at a time when there was no money in the game and huge pressure to cut costs.

The NRL partnership which culled the Bears (and overlooked their bid in 2006) is a different organisation to the NSWRL who first mooted a Gosford relocation, different again to the ARL who made guarentees about their future, and also a different body to the ARL Commission who will rule on expansion this time around.

Its like blaming the current government for something the previous 3 governments did.

Yet we have access to such resources through our clubs/benefactors/sponsors that by 2006 we had recivered to be +$45m in the bank and a $50m guarantee from Singo.

Ok. So you had cash to fund your bid. Did your bid however improve the NRL's negotiating position with media organisations? Did your bid improve market reach of the game? Did your bid offer new eyeballs, or eyeballs not already watching the game?

The reason the Bears failed in 2006 was that Gold Coast did offer these things.

Only Souths fans could have a glimmer of an understanding of what the Bears have been through. To say 'get over it' is not realistic, which is why Bears fans are either standing and fighting together now, or have already walked from the game. And the kids born here can't afford to stay - they move to the Coast, northern Beaches and Hills District. With no RL background, these areas will become Union/AFL/soccer breeding grounds, hence if we go, Manly will to in 10-20 years, but some of their fans can't see past their hatred - they need us like we need them.

You aren't making a case based on a bids strengths there, you are merely making up hypotheticals, fear mongering and declaring injustice.

As I said, the ARLC is a new, independent body which will make a decision on expansion which it sees as being in the game in the whole country and the NRLs best interests.

 

[adamkungl]

Love how the NSW haters put shit on Channel 9 all over LU then talk them up as key decision makers in this thread and this thread alone. Kidding yourselves...

 

[DC_fan]

What will the Central Coast Bears do when they miss out on being one of the next expansion teams?

Is the bid team willing to hang around for another shot sometime in the future.

 

[Beowulf]

What will the Central Coast Bears do when they miss out on being one of the next expansion teams?

Is the bid team willing to hang around for another shot sometime in the future.

IF the bid doesn't get a license its all over. Flo has said this is a fight for the existence of the club. our bargaining power diminishes come 01Jan 2013 with no licnse, because all the financial memberships expire, and who wants to be a member of an entity with no apparent future? Also, the State Govt has offered $3.5m towards creating a REAL centre of excellence at Mt Penang - this deal is off the table if no licnse is forthcoming this time.

If the NRL want a team on the Coast that can reconnect with northern Sydney, its this time or never.

 

[Perth Red]

or they could look to an area determined by the ARLC as a definate future expansion spot?

 

[bobmar28]

IF the bid doesn't get a license its all over. Flo has said this is a fight for the existence of the club. our bargaining power diminishes come 01Jan 2013 with no licnse, because all the financial memberships expire, and who wants to be a member of an entity with no apparent future? Also, the State Govt has offered $3.5m towards creating a REAL centre of excellence at Mt Penang - this deal is off the table if no licnse is forthcoming this time.

If the NRL want a team on the Coast that can reconnect with northern Sydney, its this time or never.

That's stupid. What if you miss out this time but a Sydney team falls over in the future? What will the Bears do then?

 

[Version 6]

That's stupid. What if you miss out this time but a Sydney team falls over in the future? What will the Bears do then?

Membership drives at Woy Woy Maccas.

 

[Perth Red]

Have the Bears gone too early? All mention of expansion is now focussing on Perth and Queensland, the Bears seem to be on the nose?

 

[bad boy bubby]

The problem is, its not just 2006. Its 1995 and 1997. Ken Arthurson GUARANTEED the Bears license if they stayed loyal iso going to Super League. That was the major pivot point that swung the Bears away from Super league, which was the logical and obvious move after Manly stayed loyal. That earned the ire of News Ltd.

Then we were also GUARANTEED safety if we took a regional license and moved to Gosford by Whittaker. Hence we went from financial security to -$2m in paying for the stadium and associated delays. News got their revenge then in the 'peace' deal by insisting on our destruction to protect their baby, Cronulla.

Yet we have access to such resources through our clubs/benefactors/sponsors that by 2006 we had recivered to be +$45m in the bank and a $50m guarantee from Singo.

Only Souths fans could have a glimmer of an understanding of what the Bears have been through. To say 'get over it' is not realistic, which is why Bears fans are either standing and fighting together now, or have already walked from the game. And the kids born here can't afford to stay - they move to the Coast, northern Beaches and Hills District. With no RL background, these areas will become Union/AFL/soccer breeding grounds, hence if we go, Manly will to in 10-20 years, but some of their fans can't see past their hatred - they need us like we need them.

You are full of it. Do you guys always try to change history?
At the time there was a criteria set, Cronulla were up the top end of the scale, definitely one of the top ranked Sydney teams. If it was to happen now, yes we would be in big trouble, but at the time we were one of the more supported and successful clubs, please don't distort history to suit your agenda.
And for the record I am a supporter of the Bears back in the comp.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Have the Bears gone too early? All mention of expansion is now focussing on Perth and Queensland, the Bears seem to be on the nose?

Apparently not. There's a few big aces still up our sleeves :-D

 

[Beowulf]

Have the Bears gone too early? All mention of expansion is now focussing on Perth and Queensland, the Bears seem to be on the nose?

Acccording to Ch9 it is, granted! I talked to Michael Slater recently about the bid...personally, hes a Manly fan, lives in their territory and is behind the Bears bid for local rivalry reasons, but put him behind the camera on ch9 and.......he reads the company line.

People think we went early, but we're already at the finish line, bid ready, waiting. Other bids are still in the building phase so are getting the attention we got 1-2 years ago, and its not that easy to get to completion of a bid as I'm sure everyone involved with a bid will concur.

At the end of the day, we've been assured time and time again (as recently as a few weeks ago) it is not about geographic expansion, but best/most advanced/comprehensive bid. Gallop has assured us to ignore the media.....so the Bears have to take his word. Many believe it is Ch9 driving a QLD/Perth agenda to weaken our bid, and that the NRL will decide on its own criteria, as espoused by John Quayle - stadium, support, low costs, finance. For the Bears, the Titans woes have come around at a good time to prove the wisdom of this criteria.

Unfortunately for Ch9, their efforts to dissuade investors/sponsors has failed - great news from our AGM last night. From what I hear, the anti-bear bashing of 9 has got the hackles up on plenty of influential people who now want to be involved in our story.

 

[docbrown]

For the Bears, the Titans woes have come around at a good time to prove the wisdom of this criteria.

You guys shouldn't comment on the Titans or the other bids at all.

I've said it before and I will say it again, stop comparing yourself to others and focus on promoting the Bears' bid strengths.

 

[_MayMoo 2]

You guys shouldn't comment on the Titans or the other bids at all.

I've said it before and I will say it again, stop comparing yourself to others and focus on promoting the Bears' bid strengths.

Good advice

 

[gyallop]

Bears have a numbers problem caused by too many existing NSW clubs. Qld has 3 NRL teams and NSW has 11 but both states have similar numbers of senior players. logically Bears only hope is a relocation and how many clubs are putting their hand up for that?

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Bears have a numbers problem caused by too many existing NSW clubs. Qld has 3 NRL teams and NSW has 11 but both states have similar numbers of senior players. logically Bears only hope is a relocation and how many clubs are putting their hand up for that?

And yet qld has trouble sustaining 3 teams... So let's throw another to the lions...

 

[KnightsMan90]

And yet qld has trouble sustaining 3 teams... So let's throw another to the lions...

No they dont. Brisbane are the most profitable club in the comp, and the Cowboys are sustainable as well.

The Titans problems stem from one man doing to much to fast in an economic downturn and it coming back to bite him in the ass. You can bet they would also be a sustainable club if they hadn't of built the COE, and will become a sustainable club when they sort their problems out. The fact they have not one but 2 consortiums willing and ready to spend big on fixing the Titans, and turning it back into a sustaining club and their are 3 expansions clubs from QLD spruiking their sponsership deals and credentials as being a sustainable club, shows theyre is interest and more then enough resources to have 3 and more clubs in QLD.