Something to ponder.

[T.R.O.L.I.]

Varied use of the stadium also raises the profile of the club and our town and that leads to increased investment from other organisations.

Nail hit squarely on the head there - any extra revenue and publicity that can be gleaned from "renting out" the stadium is a bonus. In the past few years there's been:

England 'B' International
England U21 Internationals
Elton John Concert
Red Hot Chilli Peppers Concert
That radio thingy (XS?)

Add to that the cancellation of Pavarotti's concert and the fact that the half-marathon finishes there and it goes to shows the amount of interest in using the Mad Stad as a venue.

Plus, as far as I can remember, this was the first game to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch so its not like the rugby causes persistent problems.

[West Stand Man]

Compare and contrast:

The FA Cup - apparently not worth taking seriously as the money is paltry compared to the riches on offer if we stay up.

Groundsharing with London Irish - makes an invaluable financial contribution, (but never mind what damage might be made to the pitch and our passing game).

Double standards?

Just what damage are you referring to? There is so much said on here about this 'rugby damage' but little evidence of it.

I had a good look at the pitch on Saturday and, funny old thing, the main damage is in the goalmouths and the centre circle. If rugby was the cause we'd expect to see serious wear in the corners, where they aim to take play if they can.

So, to avoid pitch damage and make it more playable for the footballers lets ban football instead - doh, that won't work will it!

[The 17 Bus]

Well we almost did ban football in the first season at the Madstad!!

[Platypuss]

Compare and contrast:

The FA Cup - apparently not worth taking seriously as the money is paltry compared to the riches on offer if we stay up.

Groundsharing with London Irish - makes an invaluable financial contribution, (but never mind what damage might be made to the pitch and our passing game).

Double standards?

Just what damage are you referring to? There is so much said on here about this 'rugby damage' but little evidence of it.

I had a good look at the pitch on Saturday and, funny old thing, the main damage is in the goalmouths and the centre circle. If rugby was the cause we'd expect to see serious wear in the corners, where they aim to take play if they can.

So, to avoid pitch damage and make it more playable for the footballers lets ban football instead - doh, that won't work will it!

Seeing as the vast majority of people are in the "Coppell can do no wrong" camp, isn't his opinion good enough?

"Obviously I'd be happier if there wasn't a rugby club sharing the ground".

Or do you think you are a better authority than Steve Coppell?

[Huntley & Palmer]

The LI share is a no brainer. Different posts and a few different colours around the stadium and it's ready. Easy money and I think they contribute a percentage of the costs to relay the pitch every season.

I don't see how it is relevant to the 'Should we play in the FA Cup' arguement or not

[readingbedding]

The LI share is a no brainer. Different posts and a few different colours around the stadium and it's ready. Easy money and I think they contribute a percentage of the costs to relay the pitch every season.

I don't see how it is relevant to the 'Should we play in the FA Cup' arguement or not

Yeah, it's not relevant at all.

Simply put, if our football degrades because of Rugby playing on it, well enough's enough.

If it doesn't - carry on.

[Gordons Cumming]

I'm in the Platypuss "knows best" camp.

[coyrls]

I'm in the Platypuss "knows best" camp.

Attracted by the wide open dusty plains and the tumble weed no doubt.

[readingbedding]

I'm in the Platypuss "knows best" camp.

Platybuss 'has an opinion' camp you mean.

Whether he knows best is down to opinion.

[Gordons Cumming]

I'm in the Platypuss "knows best" camp.

Platybuss 'has an opinion' camp you mean.

Whether he knows best is down to opinion.

Don't let him hear you say that.

[Forbury Lion]

Perhaps Steve Coppell will be prepared to have his transfer budget reduced by the deficiet from the loss of the LI money as he views a decent pitch to be worth it.

If LI are under contract then RFC have to honour it or buy them out!