Saracens will be staying at Vicarage Road (From Watford Observer)
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Saracens will be staying at Watford's Vicarage Road for the start of next season
10:24am Tuesday 10th May 2011 in Sport
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Saracens' move to Barnet Copthall will not be ready in time for next season
Saracens and Watford should announce today the Aviva Premiership club will be staying at Vicarage Road until at least the beginning of 2012, the Watford Observer understands.
It is expected an announcement will be made confirming Saracens will be playing at Vicarage Road for the first few months of the 2011/12 season, at least, due to delays in their proposed move to Barnet Copthall Stadium in Mill Hill.
The Watford Observer also understands the Hornets could confirm they will not be relaying the out-of-date pitch at the stadium, although there were serious doubts over whether the work would have taken place regardless.
The rugby club have been based at Vicarage Road since 1997 but decided to leave last summer, with Watford insisting Sarries increase the amount they pay the Hornets, which for most of the deal had been £489,000 a season, and due to the Men in Black’s desire to improve their disappointing attendances.
Watford had initially set a deadline of September for Saracens to confirm whether they would be staying at Vicarage Road but the rugby club but did not state they would be leaving the ground until November, when they presented plans for their proposed move to Barnet Copthall.
The Hornets announced they had formally activated the break clause in the two clubs’ agreement hours after Saracens’ press conference in November and stated the rugby club “will leave after June 2011”.
Saracens always faced a race against time to be ready for the beginning of the rugby season in September but at the time, refused to discuss what they planned to do should the proposals be delayed.
The rugby club stated in April they were in negotiations with six potential venues for the start of the season, which it is understood included Northampton Saints and MK Dons.
At the same time, Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths said he anticipated Barnet Copthall would be ready in time for January but there is a chance the Men in Black will need to stay for longer and we understand Watford could facilitate this.
Sarries plan to spend up to £10m on Barnet Copthall, which will be a 10,000-seater venue when Saracens play during the season and will have detachable stands which will be removed for large parts of the year. See below.
Barnet Copthall Stadium during rugby season
Barnet Copthall Stadium when Saracens are not using the ground
Saracens submitted more than 7,000 letters of support to Barnet Council yesterday morning.
A statement on Saracens’ website read: “The letters have been signed by local residents, businesses and sports clubs along with other supporters of the scheme which include Sport England, UK Athletics and the Rugby Football Union.
Saracens are planning to stage no more than 16 days of Premiership rugby at Copthall, and the club has developed a comprehensive match day traffic and parking plan, incorporating satellite car parks and 200 match day stewards, to avoid disruption for residents.
Comments(55)
truefan
says...
10:37am Tue 10 May 11
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny
says...
10:50am Tue 10 May 11
money? Can't see why we can't make them pay for a new pitch also.
herts hornet
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10:56am Tue 10 May 11
herts hornet
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11:16am Tue 10 May 11
big statement Frank , we deserve more information than this though if you are saying "serious doubts" work would not have happened regardless
please clarify more your information with proper statements from our board of directors
DannyMan
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11:38am Tue 10 May 11
smalon
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11:45am Tue 10 May 11
Read in the Sun today that Derby are about to sign Eustace for £200,000.
Please tell me this is the usual tabloid rubbish?
saracen1971
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11:58am Tue 10 May 11
"ohhhh but what about or lovely pitch"
errr it died about 4 years ago when you decided not to spend the rent on a new one.
skinny chap
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12:03pm Tue 10 May 11
easumhornet
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12:05pm Tue 10 May 11
They belong at a backwater like Copthall, but even the residents there are opposed to these sad little egg-chasers!!
Can't wait for you to leave, and to watch your gates plummet to around 3000!!!
BTW Smalon, the Sun and the Express are up to their usual nonsense of trying to fill the transfer gossip sections. Take no notice!!
SarrieC
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12:09pm Tue 10 May 11
pstannard4
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12:16pm Tue 10 May 11
pstannard4
says...
12:19pm Tue 10 May 11
smalon wrote:@Smalon
Would have thought relaying the out of date pitch was a priority and the new owners at least had enough money for that.
Read in the Sun today that Derby are about to sign Eustace for £200,000.
Please tell me this is the usual tabloid rubbish?
I really hope this is not true either. Has is good loyal servant to this club, especially shows his commitment every 90 minutes being on the the best Watford Captains we have had for a while.
Looking at the local press for Derby, no Derby fan wants him at the club. They all seem to think he is League One material and have started calling him John Useless.
Malky. Please PLEASE PLEASE do not sell our captain.
skinny chap
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12:32pm Tue 10 May 11
truefan wrote:Could'nt agree more. All Saracens fans fit into that category.
SarrieC wrote: So truefan is going to give the season ticket a miss next year, might want to change your username as well then. Missing out on the season ticket because Saracens are staying until January is pathetic.you sad egg chasing t1t,go and watch a game where 30 men like touching each other,typical public school boy.Why not have 6 pints and drop your pants like all rugby fans thats really funny.
SarrieC
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12:33pm Tue 10 May 11
herts hornet
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12:39pm Tue 10 May 11
smalon wrote:NIGEL Clough has revealed that Derby County are closing in on an experienced Championship midfielder as they start to rebuild for next season.
Would have thought relaying the out of date pitch was a priority and the new owners at least had enough money for that. Read in the Sun today that Derby are about to sign Eustace for £200,000. Please tell me this is the usual tabloid rubbish?
First, the Rams are expected to announce the permanent signings of goalkeeper Frank Fielding and strikers Jamie Ward and Theo Robinson today as their summer recruitment begins.
All three have been on loan at Pride Park this season.
But the new arrivals will not stop there.
Clough is looking to bring in six to eight players and one target is a midfielder to replace 36-year-old Robbie Savage, who made his farewell appearance for the Rams at Reading on Saturday ahead of retirement.
“We have got an experienced player in mind to replace Robbie and we are close to bringing him in during the next week or so,” said Clough.
“He is a player from the Championship. All our targets are from the Championship and possibly one or two from above, be it loan or whatever.
“There will be a lot of players released by clubs this summer and we have to get the right ones.
“Character comes into it. As much as possible, we look into the character of players and try and get that right because the blend and mix in the dressing room must be good.
“I think that has been shown at a number of clubs like Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Reading where there is a lot of team spirit.”
The Rams lost their final game of the season at Reading and finished 19th in the Championship – five places below last season’s position.
A total of 49 points, seven fewer than last season, is the lowest by a Derby side in a 46-match campaign.
But Clough is confident they will be more competitive in 2011-12 if the club can land a number of their transfer targets.
“Better players will just take it on to that next level. It is not a massive leap, not a massive gap to make up, and a few more experienced players sprinkled over the pitch will make that difference,” said Clough.
“It is absolutely crucial in the next couple of months. Can we get the right players?
“We are working very hard, everybody from the chief executive down, to get those necessary players in.”
Fielding is set to sign from Blackburn Rovers. The England Under-21 international enjoyed two loan spells with the Rams and became a favourite with the fans.
Ward, who has been on loan from Sheffield United, scored his fifth goal in 13 games for Derby while 22-year-old Robinson has been on loan from Millwall.
“Come Monday, we could have three players signed,” said Clough.
“That would be a good start but that is all it will be.
“Supporters want reassurance that what has been said by the club, by Tom Glick and myself about signings, will happen.
“We have had a few seasons of survival, now we need to take it on and improve.”
oh dear !!
DannyMan
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12:44pm Tue 10 May 11
.
I don't think that truefan should change his name. Judging by his contributions here he is indeed a true chavball fan.
MrMeaner
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12:48pm Tue 10 May 11
Shame the WFC pitch wont be relayed for yet again another season by the end of 2012 that would make it 13 years old? (life span of the pitch 7-10 years?)
i am glad they arent going far so soon, less travelling for me to support Saracens and Watford. and i am a believer that Watford should should at least be getting an improved rate on the deal.
p.s. the squabbling is pointless, deal with the facts and put up with it, its out of our hands. not renewing season tickets or non-support helps noone!
SarrieC
says...
12:55pm Tue 10 May 11
MrMeaner wrote:Couldn't agree more. Well said :)
We all knew this was coming ever since planning permission was delayed. realistically where else would sarries play for peanuts and without disrupting the sarries fan base.
Shame the WFC pitch wont be relayed for yet again another season by the end of 2012 that would make it 13 years old? (life span of the pitch 7-10 years?)
i am glad they arent going far so soon, less travelling for me to support Saracens and Watford. and i am a believer that Watford should should at least be getting an improved rate on the deal.
p.s. the squabbling is pointless, deal with the facts and put up with it, its out of our hands. not renewing season tickets or non-support helps noone!
luther blissett
says...
1:06pm Tue 10 May 11
Also, we all knew Sarries wouldn't be in Barnet at the start of the season and probably will never get planning permission. It was obvious they would come back to the Vic, so why are you all whinging about it. You don't even know if they are paying more to us. It could be a good deal for WFC.
And Sarries fans, I seem to remember you were all so glad to be leaving the dump and were so happy about your shiny new portacabin stadium. So why are you so happy that you are coming back?
DannyMan
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1:11pm Tue 10 May 11
herts hornet
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1:21pm Tue 10 May 11
luther blissett wrote:sorry luther ,the sun print the story Eustace is going to Derby ,Clough says the following, "He is a player from the Championship. All our targets are from the Championship and possibly one or two from above, be it loan or whatever" .
Herts Hatter, where does that report mention John Eustace? Also, it quite clearly states they are looking at players being released. JE has not been released. Also, we all knew Sarries wouldn't be in Barnet at the start of the season and probably will never get planning permission. It was obvious they would come back to the Vic, so why are you all whinging about it. You don't even know if they are paying more to us. It could be a good deal for WFC. And Sarries fans, I seem to remember you were all so glad to be leaving the dump and were so happy about your shiny new portacabin stadium. So why are you so happy that you are coming back?
Then goes on to say There will be a lot of players released by clubs this summer and we have to get the right ones
As you are being so corrective it does not say this player they have targeted is being released just mentions quite correctly players will be released from many clubs please keep up !
And if you are implying i am a hatter just because my view is different to yours then you are a muppet and a disgrace to the Luther Blissett name so get lost ,we will see in a few days who was right i obviously hope i am wrong !
rookerynook
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1:22pm Tue 10 May 11
a1derek
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1:23pm Tue 10 May 11
This also raises further questions about the financial ability of the new owners. The JE thing is probably just paper talk and one would hope so. MM was quick to say how important JE is at the end of the season and if he was suddenly to be sold it would send out all sorts of wrong messages.
As someone else has said come on WO get the full story and let us know ASAP please. If all of the above does come to pass many people will think twice about renewing.
smalon
says...
1:28pm Tue 10 May 11
DannyMan wrote:Weren't 6 rugby players arrested recently for performing sexual acts on each other while on a coach traveling down the motorway for everyone to see?
At least Watford will have the Premiership champions to be proud of. For a few months anyway. Let's face it, it's not gonna happen any other way is it?
.
I don't think that truefan should change his name. Judging by his contributions here he is indeed a true chavball fan.
Give me "chavball" any day of the week.
luther blissett
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1:31pm Tue 10 May 11
ChrisG85
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1:36pm Tue 10 May 11
As a Watford supporter and Saracens "follower" I think a decent contract should be negotiated between the 2 clubs. 2 seperate teams investing into Vicarage can't be bad can it? Seems to work well for Reading and London Irish. And i'd even argue that their pitch was one of the best i've seen all season.
herts hornet
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1:40pm Tue 10 May 11
luther blissett wrote:you need to read more muppet this is an opinion board i post both positive negative and challenging questions you do nothing but post against anything challenging maybe you work for the club and cannot handle anything challenging take the rose tinted glasses off now and again
Herts Hatter, I do not need to imply you are a hatter. It is clear for all to see from your constant negative posts that you hate Watford.
herts hornet
says...
1:44pm Tue 10 May 11
luther blissett wrote:anyway for the record 38 years a season ticket holder and barely miss an away game but will never stop challenging things especially at this club after what has gone on over last few years !
Herts Hatter, I do not need to imply you are a hatter. It is clear for all to see from your constant negative posts that you hate Watford.
stuperman
says...
1:52pm Tue 10 May 11
herts hornet wrote:It's you and me against the world mate. If you're over 19, you know nothing! When ASDA opens up on the site, let's hope there's a disabled car park for our three wheelers!
luther blissett wrote: Herts Hatter, I do not need to imply you are a hatter. It is clear for all to see from your constant negative posts that you hate Watford.anyway for the record 38 years a season ticket holder and barely miss an away game but will never stop challenging things especially at this club after what has gone on over last few years !
herts hornet
says...
1:57pm Tue 10 May 11
stuperman wrote:yes your right cheers !
herts hornet wrote:It's you and me against the world mate. If you're over 19, you know nothing! When ASDA opens up on the site, let's hope there's a disabled car park for our three wheelers!luther blissett wrote: Herts Hatter, I do not need to imply you are a hatter. It is clear for all to see from your constant negative posts that you hate Watford.anyway for the record 38 years a season ticket holder and barely miss an away game but will never stop challenging things especially at this club after what has gone on over last few years !
luther blissett
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1:58pm Tue 10 May 11
And for the record 30 years a season ticket holder. Considering I'm 35, that's not too bad, but I'm not here to win points like you.
thomas.howard
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2:02pm Tue 10 May 11
Got a link to this coach story?
jasonwatford
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2:11pm Tue 10 May 11
the sniper
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2:38pm Tue 10 May 11
DannyMan
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3:03pm Tue 10 May 11
easumhornet
says...
3:44pm Tue 10 May 11
jasonwatford wrote:Played 41 out of 46 games, so much for his age and being prone to injury!!
First off - Maybe Saracens will be paying a more realistic sum to stay for a limited time ? What would be the point of re doing the pitch if this is an option...easy money and let the pitch see out another season...Its same for both teams and playing week in and out we should know our pitch and adjust. I Like John Eustace however 200k for him now at his age and consider he really did not come back on form after his injury maybe a good deal. We would have to buy in a replacement as we should let jenkins go as not good enough. John Eustace is older and with that any injury takes longer to heel. If he stays thats ok but not the end of the world if he goes either.
We cannot afford to sell Captain Fantastic.
Leads by example, and probably our only leader on the pitch other than Taylor!
If Malky sells him (especially for a derisory £200K), his stock will go down alarmingly after praising John to the hilt, and telling us all what a great influence he is to the youngsters both on and off the pitch.
WFC4ever
says...
3:53pm Tue 10 May 11
I presume Sarries will pay something for staying a futher 6 months and beyond (probably!) seeing as they appear unlikely to get the Barnet move.
Wasn't Eustace rejected by Derby having been on loan with them before?
Cannot see it unless there has been a falling out in recent days.
Agreed it would send out a bad message though...if he was allowed to leave despite signing a new deal others less caring players would.
Most people knew these new "owners" have no money...its why they are so quiet!
Usually you here all sorts of wonderful ideas and plans from incomming owners when they take-over about spending this and that.
I would say not renewing hardly helps though and actually gives the club a futher excuse to sell players etc!
easumhornet
says...
3:59pm Tue 10 May 11
That is why it will be so disappointing if he is allowed to leave now, with all of our young talent coming through.
Regarding the new owners being quiet, it is probably because we still do not know who the real money-man is behind the takeover.
When all is revealed, perhaps we will know a little clearer what direction the club is going in, but the early signs do not look too promising!
WFC4ever
says...
4:08pm Tue 10 May 11
Also gets a few goals (more than the 500k man Deeney for example!)
He'd be a bigger loss than Graham in someways because 300k is nothing and would only go towards paying off part of the debt.
Lets hope the new owners are honest and do what some progression to buld on this season.
Elton Bog
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4:09pm Tue 10 May 11
WFTTWTFR
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5:00pm Tue 10 May 11
MrMeaner wrote:Sensible post amongst the usual guff, totally agree with your points. Common sense, pragmatic approach from both clubs. Less disruption for Sarries and better deal for Watford, and I really think that pitch relaying was an aspiration not a plan.
We all knew this was coming ever since planning permission was delayed. realistically where else would sarries play for peanuts and without disrupting the sarries fan base. Shame the WFC pitch wont be relayed for yet again another season by the end of 2012 that would make it 13 years old? (life span of the pitch 7-10 years?) i am glad they arent going far so soon, less travelling for me to support Saracens and Watford. and i am a believer that Watford should should at least be getting an improved rate on the deal. p.s. the squabbling is pointless, deal with the facts and put up with it, its out of our hands. not renewing season tickets or non-support helps noone!
jasonwatford
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5:26pm Tue 10 May 11
easumhornet
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5:31pm Tue 10 May 11
jasonwatford wrote:41 games out of 46 (some of those missed were for suspension), says it all for me!
Easumhornet please read what i said...i didnt say injury prone .. i said at his age injurys will take longer to heal....also he did not regain his fitness and stamp himself on games after he came back and was not that great for last part of the season. Also said if we were to let him go we would need to buy a replacement. As said would not mind him staying but if he went not end of the world.
Six goals as well, great captain and leader.
We CANNOT let him go with such a young squad!
Still very inspirational to all members of the squad, both young and mature!
cliff46
says...
5:34pm Tue 10 May 11
I also hope John Eustace stays but perhaps we do need to remember that he was good enough to take a pay cut so that he could play for us. At his age we couldn't blame him if he wanted to earn as much as possible in his final year or two.
Personally I would like him to play for us for another year or two and then come on to our coaching staff.
Malky won't stay forever and his probable successor Sean Dyche would need a number two.
skinny chap
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5:37pm Tue 10 May 11
Scoredell
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5:52pm Tue 10 May 11
There was only one Scully
says...
7:49pm Tue 10 May 11
This is disgraceful. Our new owners seemed to imply that this was a priority I recall, as 1 of there reasons for taking over!
I am not happy!!
Its another excuse for another season of struggle and strife.
I want to see some positive action by our new leaders not, this encouragement of the egg ball agricultural kickers who have absolute no care for us which is typical of the types that follow this Neanderthal game!
Lets be honest, we are in for another season of rubbish posts and excuses for our displays.
Not happy!!
GloryHornetBoys
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11:08pm Tue 10 May 11
No Wheels
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6:36am Wed 11 May 11
easumhornet
says...
6:48am Wed 11 May 11
skinny chap wrote:Hey skinny moron, have a read of this from Wikipedia:
John Eustace did'nt turn down Leeds, no one from the club came to met him so he got bad vibes. Failing a medical did'nt help matters either.
********************
*
"On 9 March 2009 John Eustace joined Championship rivals Derby County on loan until the end of the 2008/09 season, in order to help solve the Rams' midfield injury crisis. He made his Derby debut in the 1–1 draw away to Southampton, and scored against his parent club on the final day of the season. However, Eustace failed to secure a permanent move to Derby at the end of his loan spell with the club and returned to Watford at the beginning of May. However, Derby manager Nigel Clough said "He's got a year left at Watford. If he's still in the same situation at the start of next season, needing a loan, then we might look at that."
With his Hornet's career seemingly in jeopardy, Eustace signed an amended contract stipulating that he would not receive his sizeable appearance fee, freeing up Malky Mackay to pick the tenacious midfielder. After being handed the number 28 jersey for the season, Eustace went on to play an instrumental role as Watford retained their Coca Cola Championship status for another season. Eustace was also handed the captaincy on a number of occasions with first-choice skipper Jay DeMerit sidelined through injury. Eustace made over forty appearances in league and cup competitions and was the 'Player's Player of the Season' as voted by his peers.
After much speculation throughout the 2009–10 off-season, Eustace finally put pen-to-paper on a new two-year contract with Watford.
EUSTACE AND MacKAY LATER REVEALED THAT HE HAD PASSED A MEDICAL AT LEEDS UNITED, AND THAT THERE WAS INTEREST FROM OTHER CLUBS".
*************
Any more erroneous comments skinny??
srfc
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8:14am Wed 11 May 11
Surbiton
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8:19am Wed 11 May 11
a1derek
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8:27am Wed 11 May 11
easumhornet
says...
12:26pm Wed 11 May 11
Read the other article where WFC have succumbed to Sarries again, with no mention of a re-laid pitch!!!
easumhornet says...
10:36am Tue 10 May 11
Just like the QPR debacle, money speaks louder than actions!!
No re-laying of the pitch!
More crap hoofball when the pitch deteriorates after the usual promising start!
What message does this give to Malky, the current players, and perhaps most importantly Prem managers who "might" have loaned us more Cleverley's and Lansbury's!!
Very negative thinking by the new owners, who appear to want to get money in quickly, and by what ever means that will be!!