By Dragons' Den
January 27 2014

After fiftyfive years at Old Deer Park, rumours abound that London Welsh could be making it's second move in as many years, if it is to be believed that they are seriously looking at moving into, the now defunct Witney Town's old ground, at Downs Road in West Oxfordshire.

Call it deja vu , but isn't this all reminiscent of last season when there was great speculation over where we would be calling home for the 2013/14 season.

Unlike last season we have a definite home at the Kassam if we want it and it would appear that any possible move would be with the intention of bettering the clubs fortunes commercially.

Many have voiced their concerns over access and transport links, but most have equally realised the thinking behind a possible move and the benefits it could bring.

A return to a proper clubhouse atmosphere, where all revenue would go back to the club, with the club being in control of it's opening hours and refreshment supplies, something it was not even in control of at Old Deer Park.

Control and retention of stadium revenue, marketing and rental incomes all of this surely a good thing for the long-term interests of the club.

Word is that both the Local Authority and businesses in the West Oxfordshire area are very receptive to the idea on top of the fact that Witney Rugby Club were one of the first to sign up to the club's partnership programme.

Some have said that London Welsh breezed into Oxford and have maybe put a few noses out of joint, maybe this would be a perfect opportunity to start afresh in a new area and take with it what has been learnt from the Oxford experience.

The biggest concern, seems to be the transport situation with Downs Road being situated outside of realistic walking distance of even Witney town centre, with no trains and even limited public transport from Witney itself. The club would have to throw some significant resources at a transport infrastructure, maybe even going as far as shuttling fans from Oxford and the surrounding area. This on top of what appears to be an improving atmosphere at the Kassam and other factors such as potentially hastening the loss of existing London support, gives plenty to consider and in itself leaves no easy decision, especially when you factor in the other options, should we end up still playing championship rugby next season.

So once again we may go into another closed season of uncertainty , but this time at least it seems we have options and the reasons for making these decisions are for positive reasons, rather than necessity

Come on lets hear your opinions maybe they will even be taken into consideration.

Head West Young Man ?

Discussion started by The Dragons' Den , 27/01/2014 14:45

The Dragons' Den
27/01/2014 14:45

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jaypad
27/01/2014 16:57

no chance of us going to see the team even further west in witney which is only 37 miles from gloucster but 63 miles from south hertfordshire. will support the amateurs and see the pros when they are playing at close away venues be it in the championship or premiership.

hard to have a good clubhouse atmosphere when most people will have to drive and games will probably be on a sunday to allow witney rfc some support for their saturday games.

if witney does become home then logically a change of name may have to be sadly made, in which case it would definitely no longer be my club.

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chappers
27/01/2014 17:05

I have to admit Sundays would really make me think twice too and thats from Oxford.

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Ealingnye
27/01/2014 17:44

On that note Jaypad, we're at home this Saturday with an early KO before the secondary match on the tv in the bar- a vintage ODP in the offing!

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Oxfordwelsh
27/01/2014 17:45

Who's said anything about Sundays? Witney RFC wouldn't be co-locating at the new ground so I don't see why the way would be cleared for them. Part of the point of this presumably is so that we can play pretty much on Saturdays except when Sky/whoever come knocking. Primacy of tenure innit?

I'd be astonished if (other than the current link-up continuing to benefit them, and greatly enhanced potential for training for their players, loans maybe down the line) there was any need to avoid clashes with Witney RFC, as the appeal and aims of the two clubs will be different to an extraordinarily large degree. Certainly, no one appears to have thought twice about whether matches will clash with Oxford Harlequins to date - we've played mostly on Sundays to avoid clashing on the same pitch with OUFC, not because we (or indeed the local rugby clubs) were particularly worried about treading on each other's toes.

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paddytaf
27/01/2014 20:13

It's no secret to anyone that i'm not happy about us being in Oxford. Whilst of course that is perfectly true it is also perfectly true that i'm passionate about my club LONDON WELSH and will always want them to succeed in what ever they do, and also where ever they play. Having read the opening post by DRAGONS DEN which i think has been worded in a very eloquent fashion, it does make me feel and think that at the end of the day we must obviosly look at every avenue in order to do what's best for the clubs long term future.

This Witney Stadium venture may be just speculation, whether that is the case or not the idea of LONDON WELSH owning its own Stadium and rugby ground must be the target for our great club, and surely with this in mind it's the GOAL that we are all striving to achieve.

In short although as i've said Oxford isn't really for me, the club would have my 100% backing in a venture of this nature if it means we are in control of our own destiny. PADDYTAF.

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peterh64
27/01/2014 21:52

looks great to me, I dont mind going to Witney and own clubhouse etc and no football about would be great
still prefer Iffley Road mind

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AlinNoobree
27/01/2014 23:59

Quote:

A proposal to redevelop the Polythene Stadium into a 10,000 capacity ground, with 6,000 temporary seats, has been given to West Oxfordshire planners.

Tell me there's a name change in the offing..... please.......

The Polythene Stadium??

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oxfordlocal
28/01/2014 07:44

Rename it Dragons' Den?????

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