Cardiff Blues
Richard Holland Earns his Spurs
Holland and Thomas
By Andrew Collins
October 4 2013
In the wake of the inexcusable loss to Zebre a fortnight ago, Richard Holland yet again proves he is the best acquisition Cardiff Blues have ever made.
I recently read an article on BBC by Phil McNulty, praising the way in which Tottenham Hotspur managed to sell Gareth Bale, but yet managed to keep the fans happy, the players optimistic and even boost their chances of winning the Premier League. While Tottenham fans were obviously going to be disappointed, disheartened and perhaps disillusioned with the transfer, McNulty argues that Spurs managed to turn selling their best player into a positive using good planning, good management, and excellent PR. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23793389)
Admittedly, this may seem entirely irrelevant to the Blues’ current predicament, or at least let’s hope so given the news that both Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton look set to remain at the Blues. No, the reason for bringing this up is that like Spurs’ PR team, Richard Holland’s quick thinking, excellent use of the media and long-term vision for the club managed to turn the Blues’ unacceptable home loss to Zebre into a good news story.
A fortnight ago today, at around 9pm, this web site, Gwlad’s forum, Twitter and many other web sites were bombarded with comments from appalled Blues’ fans demanding the sacking of Phil Davies and Gareth Baber as well as a host of players who took to the field that night. It had been an embarrassment.
As fans, we felt humiliated, but for the players and coaches, it was 10 times worse. Just 3 games into a new season and it looked like they were going to be under enormous pressure to turn things around. In situations like that, it’s easy for squads to fall apart. Felling as though the fans were against them, losing belief in themselves, their team mates and their coaches, a long season surely beckoned. Surely a season which Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton would make their last.
Something had to give.
First thing Monday morning, the Blues – on an apparently unrelated note – announced that Gareth Baber would be leaving the region at Christmas. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24209537)
This wasn’t news to anybody involved closely with the Blues, they had asked him to find work elsewhere over a year ago, but this exceptionally well timed announcement seemed like a direct response to the fans who demanded better.
Suddenly, the pessimism that had lingered over the weekend lifted. The management had acted to show fans that they agree, this wasn’t acceptable, and they were actually doing something about it.
The following week, as the Blues travelled to Leinster, rumours began to circulate that prize asset Leigh Halfpenny would not fly home with the squad following the match, but would instead fly directly to Toulon to hold talks over a potential move. So ‘true’ were these reports, that pundits on BBC Scrum V even mentioned them. Yet again, Richard Holland immediately went to work. Even before the full time whistle had blown, the Blues informed the BBC that not only would Leigh be on the flight back to Cardiff with the rest of his team mates, but that any contact with Toulon would be a direct breach of his contract and could potentially result in a law suit against the French club. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24305133)
In years gone by, the potential sale of a top player took months to be resolved, with fans knowing the conclusion long before the club had even publically acknowledged any rumour. Once again, Holland’s quick and clear response to a potentially devastating press story turned into good news.
Another example of Holland’s influence – although arguably less direct – came in the wake of what was really another inept performance, albeit against the league champions. The initial high of Baber’s Christmas departure was beginning to wear off, and both fans and pundits began jumping to conclusions over who would replace him. The early candidate seemed to be Mark Ring, the man who had supposedly been brought in at Cardiff RFC while being groomed to replace Baber. With the Blues’ recent history, it seemed inevitable that Peter Thomas would yet again give jobs to the boyos, keeping his friends in employment regardless of experience or knowledge; see Dai Young, Rob Howley, Richard Webster, Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber amongst others.
But there’s a new man in charge now, and things are done differently these days. Just as the rumour mill was building and fans were again growing either pessimistic at the possibility of another unproven coach coming in, or ecstatic at the thought of having Shaun Edwards involved, Phil Davies opened up to the press;
"We are looking for somebody who is experienced. I don't want an up-and-coming coach. I want somebody who will come in here and really turn these boys on and grow and develop them further than they already have been."
Adding;
"Shaun has a full-time job and we have a defence coach in Rob Powell. Shaun had other commitments with London Irish last year but, of course, we will try to utilise all available expertise. But we also have a process and a programme, from a coaching perspective, that we are delivering week in, week out here."
Yes these were the words of Davies, but surely they were engineered by PR guru Holland.
And finally, as mentioned above, it looks as though the region have somehow managed to work alongside the WRU to retain the services of Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton, just months after also re-signing Alex Cuthbert. If ever we needed some good news, now is it, and it looks like Holland will be able to deliver once again.
In the short time Holland has been at the region, things off the field have been a world away from the unprofessional, sluggish and often arrogant PR dished up just 2 years ago. We have been consulted about the product and what they can do to improve it, the club have been open and honest about their financial status and realistic targets (gone are the days of Thomas claiming to sign 6 world class players every summer!) and fans are quickly and easily able to contact the club and will always receive a reply.
This is a new dawn behind the scenes at Cardiff Arms Park, and long may it continue. Let’s hope his influence spreads onto the field sooner rather than later.
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04/10/2013 14:20
If they bring in the right coach to help Phil it could turn around very quickly at the Blues. Look at the team we have announced v Edinburgh. All the talent and potential there. The bench is sad but hopefully once Sam & Leigh are settled then Dickie will get on with looking for that flyhalf and centre that he promised us.
04/10/2013 15:48
Quote:ATTR
Dickie is a breath of fresh air among the dross that runs the club. More power to his elbow. I don't think he promised specifics rather they would look / aim for for them.
Yes but at least that indicated that he knew we needed them. That as you say is a breath of fresh air.
04/10/2013 20:03
Cardiffblues1- What were the 'chavvy t-shirts'?
04/10/2013 20:18
Quote:Joni89
I agree that Richard Holland has had a positive impact with the Blues.
Cardiffblues1- What were the 'chavvy t-shirts'?
There were some awful Birds. Booze and Blues type tshirts being offered through online shop and a lot of supporters and of course female season ticket holders thought they were pretty tacky and chavvy. They were pointed out to Dickie Holland on twitter and literally pulled from sale in seconds. He hadn't seen them before and didn't like what they said about the club. Top guy.
Thomas must take some credit. He appointed a business man in place of his lap dog (Bungalow Bob) he would have been a total fool to appoint him not realising that there was only one conclusion that DD would reach. He then, of course, had to back his man.
So many thanks to Dicky for being the driving power behind the return AND well done To the Pieman for facing reality and making the right appointment.
09/10/2013 16:45
Quote:bloogoo
Personally I think he's average at best
Ow's that then?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:10:07:15:15 by capsgon.
Quote:bloogoo
Personally I think he's average at best. The only reason why people think he's half decent is we've never had any kind of structure in that department.
Given that he's done more for us in 1 1/2 years than happened in the previous 8 1/2+, he must be above average.
I for one would take him any day over Bobby Big Nose.
Quote:bloogoo
Personally I think he's average at best. The only reason why people think he's half decent is we've never had any kind of structure in that department.
He did an excellent job at Chepstow. The difference at Cardiff Rfc Ltd since he got here is amazing.
So the question begs: Why do you make that claim?
Quote:capsgonQuote:bloogoo
Personally I think he's average at best
Ow's that then?
I'm still wondering why you think that, mun?
But, I guess we've got a massive match day blimp and a supporters club who make the atmosphere so much better. Actually...
17/10/2013 15:33
17/10/2013 15:42
Quote:cardifflose
Dont have a very good business aceumen do you goo? we are making money for the first time since 2002 FACT, is that not down to him?
Damn Iphone ACUMEN!!!
Quote:bloogoo
Because Blues, once again are in a complete mess. Is it not his job to make sure this doesn't happen? Sure we've got a 400k pitch, but a coach that's worth £20. Hiring of out of date players and holding on to those that should've moved on with the last enema. Now a laughing stock as they can't beat Zebre and get their @#$%& handed to them against Exeter.
But, I guess we've got a massive match day blimp and a supporters club who make the atmosphere so much better. Actually...
So the fact that he's turned to club toward a profit in around 2 years. Got us away the SdR and all the terrible nonsense that brought with it. The fact we now have a chance to move forward. Is blown away by the fact he has not delivered the moon inside those 2 years.
Make no mistake. Where we are it totally unacceptable but that is not DD's doing. Were it not for him the situation would be 1000% worse. Also don't forget the salary cap. He is limited as to possible signings by that.
Quote:Whatever our views of the coach. He cannot be changed unless a better one is ready to take over! That will happen I've no doubt.....ATTRQuote:bloogoo
Because Blues, once again are in a complete mess. Is it not his job to make sure this doesn't happen? Sure we've got a 400k pitch, but a coach that's worth £20. Hiring of out of date players and holding on to those that should've moved on with the last enema. Now a laughing stock as they can't beat Zebre and get their @#$%& handed to them against Exeter.
But, I guess we've got a massive match day blimp and a supporters club who make the atmosphere so much better. Actually...
So the fact that he's turned to club toward a profit in around 2 years. Got us away the SdR and all the terrible nonsense that brought with it. The fact we now have a chance to move forward. Is blown away by the fact he has not delivered the moon inside those 2 years.
Make no mistake. Where we are it totally unacceptable but that is not DD's doing. Were it not for him the situation would be 1000% worse. Also don't forget the salary cap. He is limited as to possible signings by that.
___________________________________________________________
Soldier: This is the worst part. The calm before the battle
Fry: And then the battle is not so bad?
Soldier: Oh, right. I forgot about the battle
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot
24/10/2013 13:36
v Connacht:
12/13 - 5,236
13/14 - 6,874 31% increase
v Zebra:
12/13 - 9,769
13/14 - 7,513 23% decrease
v Edinburgh:
12/13 - 7,412
13/14 - 7,245 2% decrease
v Toulon:
12/13 - 9,624
13/14 - 11,573 20% increase
Overall to date:
12/13 - 32,041
13/14 - 33,205
4% increase.
24/10/2013 13:53
weather, opposition, time & day played (vary too much!)
What is improving though is the commercial side with sales up across the board...
Now all we need is a decent league & cup to play in with a decent team coached by a top class man!!!
I've said too much!
___________________________________________________________
Soldier: This is the worst part. The calm before the battle
Fry: And then the battle is not so bad?
Soldier: Oh, right. I forgot about the battle
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot
