The Egg chasers relegation

[retro royal]

Great news, the pitch should be much better next season with the imminent relegation of London Irish

[Sutekh]

Why's that then? Do you get a season off if you get relegated?

[CountryRoyal]

Why's that then? Do you get a season off if you get relegated?

I'd imagine they'd look to a downgraded capacity ground but not sure how that would work out with current contracts?

Anyway I think there's a thread on this already in club policies, which is where this should be.

On a side note the pitch is truly shocking, I don't remember it this bad for some time.

[JamieY26]

It wouldn't surprise me if they have opted to not strengthen in order to go down and release themselves from the contract they have with the stadium and move to Brentford new ground when its finished.

There won't be a huge difference in the money the club receives as there is no real money in the game anyway.

They used to sell out the stoop when they played there, so I would imagine they would be willing to take a hit for a year in order to achieve their long term ambition of playing in London.

[Stranded]

I would be surprised if they stay as can't see them attracting the crowds they would need in the Championship bar in the play-offs if they make it.

Depends on the contract I guess though. Wouldn't surprise me if there is a clause in there allowing them to leave if they are relegated with the option to return if they get promoted again.

Also would depend who comes up, Bedford are well placed to make the play-offs and will need a suitable ground, so could look to move over if they are promoted and LI relegated - though Wycombe may suit them better.

[Nameless]

Lol at the idea they have not strengthened ! They signed some top class players but sadly everyone else has more money so just keeps moving further ahead.
There is a thought that a season in the Championship would be no bad thing as they get parachute payments and would win just about every game by a big margin if they kept the squad together. I think they'd stay here for that one season as the crowds would probably not change (fewer away fans balanced by more locals returning to see a winning team).
The Brentford move seems unlikely, there's no benefit for them to go there unless it is at zero cost. They need a ground of their own but I've seen nothing to indicate that is even on the horizon.
Would be really sad if they left and it wouldn't make that much difference to the pitch so we'd need another excuse for that....

[bobby1413]

On a side note the pitch is truly shocking, I don't remember it this bad for some time.

True dat... it's an utter disgrace

[tidus_mi2]

It's a bit premature to be celebrating their relegation when there are still 6 games left to play, including away games against their 2 closest relegation rivals Newcastle and Worcester. That said it does look bleak, winning those 2 games would still only put them level on points with Newcastle directly above them so they'd either have to get a win or 2 elsewhere or actually start picking up bonus points when they've only gained 1 all season.

[John Smith]

Are people genuinely talking about rugby on here?

[Nameless]

Are people genuinely talking about rugby on here?

sure, some people can appreciate a wide range of sports. I understand for some a simple game like football is as much as they can handle but there are more sophisticated options

[paultheroyal]

and it wouldn't make that much difference to the pitch so we'd need another excuse for that....

[Maneki Neko]

cannot believe we only charge them 0.6 million a year.
ridiculously under priced.

[Wimb]

Was pondering this earlier,

Some quotes from admittedly the previous regime in 2013 when faced with relegation....

“Firstly, we won’t get relegated. But even if we did, we will still be at Madejski Stadium.

“You would expect when these sort of contracts are put in place long term all different eventualities are factored in.

“One of those is what league we are playing in, but there is no grey area. It is very clear, the contract works for us and we enjoy being at Madejski Stadium.

“We will be staying there regardless of what league we are playing in next year. That is covered in the contract so we are absolutely relaxed about that. It won’t happen.”

[url]http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/rugby-news/london-irish-stay-madejski-stadium-4299077
[/url]

[West Stand Man]

It wouldn't surprise me if they have opted to not strengthen in order to go down and release themselves from the contract they have with the stadium and move to Brentford new ground when its finished.

There won't be a huge difference in the money the club receives as there is no real money in the game anyway.

They used to sell out the stoop when they played there, so I would imagine they would be willing to take a hit for a year in order to achieve their long term ambition of playing in London.

When did they play at The Stoop? That is Harlequins stadium (just across the road from Twickenham).

[leon]

Are people genuinely talking about rugby on here?

sure, some people can appreciate a wide range of sports. I understand for some a simple game like football is as much as they can handle but there are more sophisticated options

Lol at rugby being sophisticated. A load repressed homosexuals jumping on each other.

[West Stand Man]

On a side note the pitch is truly shocking, I don't remember it this bad for some time.

True dat... it's an utter disgrace

But not a lot to do with the Irish playing on it. The problems go deeper than that.

[Ian Royal]

On a side note the pitch is truly shocking, I don't remember it this bad for some time.

True dat... it's an utter disgrace

But not a lot to do with the Irish playing on it. The problems go deeper than that.

Yeah it's not like we've had a rugby team on it every other season when the pitch was fine or anything.

[Nameless]

The pitch is designed to cope with the use it gets. And the areas of worst wear are pretty obviously caused by football use.
It's fair to say if the pitch was used less, and especially if there were fewer double header weekends it might help keep it better but I don't think there is much evidence that the rugby causes the pitch problems.

Irish shared The Stoop before moving into the Madejski.

As for rugby players being repressed homosexuals it's a thought that rugby is one of the few sports where openly gay players and officials have been involved at the very top level with barely an eyebrow raised. Repressed or just not bothered about it ? Whereas football is way too scared of it to do anything other than use it as a term of abuse. Very sophisticated......

[leon]

You're a cheerless fcuker nameless. Go on smile.

[paultheroyal]

The pitch is designed to cope with the use it gets. And the areas of worst wear are pretty obviously caused by football use.
It's fair to say if the pitch was used less, and especially if there were fewer double header weekends it might help keep it better but I don't think there is much evidence that the rugby causes the pitch problems.

Irish shared The Stoop before moving into the Madejski.

As for rugby players being repressed homosexuals it's a thought that rugby is one of the few sports where openly gay players and officials have been involved at the very top level with barely an eyebrow raised. Repressed or just not bothered about it ? Whereas football is way too scared of it to do anything other than use it as a term of abuse. Very sophisticated......

Not sure if you are on a wind up or totally dillusional!

Rugby has destroyed that pitch. The bare patches are set down from line outs and scrums! The pitch can cope with a match on a Saturday with a downpour but throw in a wet rugby match on a Sunday and it takes it toll.

I will be delighted if Irish get relegated if it means it's not financially viable to stay at the madjeski and go elsewhere.