Our Butt Ugly Sand Pit

[Forum Phoenix]

Alright...

While the purpose of this is not to start a bitter thread as I think we are all moving to a much more positive place with teh team than we have been in quite some time, and thank f**k for that!

But I'm confused. I look down over Bluetongue stadium everyday... and its looking absolutely immaculate and as good as I've EVER seen it - and it has been looking in excellent nick for at least 6 weeks...

BUT...

While I've watched it be regularly rolled and watered... I have seen no major works or certainly relaying of turf or anything of the kind.

So what the hell is with the official line about Canberra games because of the state of our pitch?

Furthermore... On saturday I am going to watch my eldest play in Rugby Union grand final... and its being held on Bluey!!!


While I love my boy and will be amazing to see him run on at BT...
I'm stunned. I've watched as the thugby world cup and local league finals destroy the turf before... its hard... but its a shared stadium and it is what it is...

BUT... To have this right in the middle of the whole we are moving home games to canberra supposedly for the pitchs' benefit speil.
I feel like I'm being treated like a mug.

I'm a very positive supporter, and I can easily handle, "well we need the dosh and its a good promotion for the A league - so its an offer too good to refuse" But I don't like being spun...

Can anyone explain?

 

[FFC Mariner]

You are being treated like a mug

 

[bulldogmariner]

It is a financial move. ACT Govt is paying us to play there. After home game against North Qld there is major work being done to the pitch and we have a series of away games and the game in Canberra.

 

[scottmac]

we don't have control of the stadium as you say. So why isn't it possible that one way we have in our control of limiting the traffic on the turf is to stop playing on it? We remove a few games from bluey and in doing so limit the traffic on it. Not good for us.

 

[marinermick]

there has been turfing works done in this break

 

[dibo]

there has been turfing works done in this break

'Works' sure, but certainly nothing major it would seem:

But I'm confused. I look down over Bluetongue stadium everyday... and its looking absolutely immaculate and as good as I've EVER seen it - and it has been looking in excellent nick for at least 6 weeks...

BUT...

While I've watched it be regularly rolled and watered... I have seen no major works or certainly relaying of turf or anything of the kind.

And if they're going to let junior grand finals be played there this week, why not the Mariners last week? They're playing 11s through to 17s from 9.00am to 5.35pm. Juniors or not, that's surely going to chop the field up. Packing scrums all over the pitch isn't going to do it any good whatsoever.

We're getting screwed. Not that we didn't know that already...

 

[typool]

We're getting screwed. Not that we didn't know that already...
[/quote]

That pretty much sums it up mate..it only hurts the bread and butter (the fans)

 

[Roy Law]

I certainly think my support is being treated like a mug; I was one of the hard core who fronted up for the dreadful ACL performances and am very disappointed that, as a reward for loyalty of all those fans, home games are being played in Canberra.  It would help very much if the club gave a clear and unambiguous statement about the situation and not fob us off with 'members will be entitled to free admission in Canberra'. If next season the Mariners or the FFA have the bright idea of repeating this exercise then I won't be renewing my membership.

 

[Deej]

 

[dibo]

 

[Donnie]

Questions need to be asked of the current board, I believe. We can invest millions into a CoE, but we will whore out our "home" games to make lousy $100k or so. To me, I think we have much bigger problems in the top echelon of our club.

 

[Bear]

i would be over it IN-A-HEARTBEAT if the mariners came out from the word go and said "we need cash, we are moving 2 games" deej

they are f**king us over, and think we are all ok with it

they should know we are not

not that that they give a flying f**k im sure

 

[Deej]

I had a great night in Canberra last week.......can't wait for Adelaide

What people need to remember is if we could get 12-15,000 to a home game the club would never have to consider moving a home game in the first place, members didn't have to pay for the game in their season ticket and these discussions are getting very repetitive.  The club are making decisions to ensure we survive for a long time, I can't argue with that.  Some people think that's wrong and that's fine, but tell the club your feelings.

As much as moving the game is annoying I support the 11 players giving their all for the team I support, so I'll follow them whenever/wherever I can!

Everyone is entitled to an opinion though.

 

[Bear]

i think thats the main point dj

we all know the mariners are looking to the long term, hence moving the game for cash. blind freddy can see that

so whats so hard about coming out and saying that, rather than feeding "fans" bullshit about pitch reno being done?

 

[Bex]

The CoE is a capital investment which will presumably generate income and will be a club asset for the foreseeable future. There is no relevance in comparing that to the one time profit (or loss) generated by moving a home game.

But yes, I agree that the current board should explain themselves. Its clear that the recent move to Canberra was nothing to do with the pitch and everything to do with politics/money. To the Mariners: lie to committed fans at your own peril.

 

[Deej]

so whats so hard about coming out and saying that, rather than feeding "fans" bullshit about pitch reno being done?

I understand and agree

 

[Roy Law]

Deej - "What people need to remember is if we could get 12-15,000 to a home game the club would never have to consider moving a home game in the first place" - but that isn't the explanation that the club gave is it? We were fed some nonsense about the state of the pitch at Bluetongue. Like others have said, just tell us the truth then we can get over it.

 

[dibo]

long story short - it seems everyone would prefer that the club were maybe a little more honest and open about matters, but what follows from that varies.

all's fair on the forum and we can agree to disagree.

now let's twat those f**king plumbers tonight, eh?

 

[dru]

Sorry the pitch does need the work, players were slipping a fair bit during the Newcastle game and leaving long divots in the pitch when they slipped. This was never going to be fixed in the 3 week gap that we had this time but by the next break all local finals for winter sports will be done and dusted and it is only us using it for a long time. Just because it is green doesn't mean it is a good pitch.

there has been turfing works done in this break

Around the goal mouth perhaps? Last time I drove past there the goal mouths looked to be tapped off.

now let's twat those f**king plumbers tonight, eh?

It's a me, A Mario

 

[Donnie]

The CoE is a capital investment which will presumably generate income and will be a club asset for the foreseeable future. There is no relevance in comparing that to the one time profit (or loss) generated by moving a home game.

But yes, I agree that the current board should explain themselves. Its clear that the recent move to Canberra was nothing to do with the pitch and everything to do with politics/money. To the Mariners: lie to committed fans at your own peril.

I understand the CoE is an investment for the future. It will be interesting how much money actually flows into the club, and not the pockets of certain board members.