Instead, both sides agreed that the Ospreys’ focus should lie with the new 20,000 all-seater Morfa stadium, which is set to open for the season commencing 2005.
Following the break-up of the Warriors by the WRU, the Ospreys – which now take in the Bridgend quota of the Warriors’ region – signalled their intention to play an undetermined number of Ospreys fixtures during the forthcoming season at the Brewery Field. Nevertheless, this was to be a one-season only arrangement, leading up to the opening of the Morfa stadium.
Both sides have now conceded, in reality, that only one or two games at best were likely to be played at the Brewery Field, amounting to a costly, tokenistic gesture that stood to do more harm than good and represented a logistical nightmare.
Speaking today, Ospreys chief executive Andrew Donald said:
“We’ve had a number of key discussions with Leighton about holding fixtures at the Brewery Field and it’s become abundantly clear that while seeming like a great idea on the surface, the reality of actually staging a game at Bridgend is fraught with difficulties.
“Aside from logistical problems like the number of seats versus season ticket holders, we are both acutely aware that the move could actually alienate three sets of supporters rather than embrace supporters with a true sense of inclusiveness.”
Bridgend RFC chief Leighton Samuel commented:
“In reality the Ospreys were only ever likely to play one pre-season home game here at the Brewery Field during the forthcoming season. Whilst I know the gesture will be hugely appreciated by both Warriors and existing Bridgend fans, I think we all agree that a longer-term view should now be taken.
“In particular this means focusing on the opening of the Morfa stadium and using this new neutral facility, without historical ties to any one club, as a way of integrating fans from Bridgend and the surrounding area. This will allow for a real and lasting support base to be created rather than relying on a one-off token game at the Brewery Field as a way of appeasing fans.
“I’m convinced we now have a way to move forward positively with the Ospreys.”
The Ospreys are, however, continuing to create formal ties with the old Warriors region, employing former Warriors commercial manager Emma Rogers to act in the same role for the Ospreys. Additionally, Gethin Watts has been appointed as rugby development officer by the Ospreys, with the task of enhancing the Ospreys’ Academy and redefining its structure to include many aspects of the Warriors’ own development and Academy structure.
Andrew Donald continued:
“We have a great deal of work to do in the Bridgend area over the next season and in the run up to Morfa. We’ve already started integrating former Warriors players and back-room staff and our focus is now on integrating supporters and developing new players.
“Later this month we’ll be conducting a consultation exercise in the Bridgend area with fans and from that we hope to gain a great deal of feedback on what the next steps we should take in the former Warriors region. In the meantime from a structural point of view the drive for seeing players develop from the Bridgend area through to the Ospreys remains as strong as ever and we are grateful to Gethin Watts and the work he is now doing to strengthen the Ospreys’ Academy structure to help us embrace the Bridgend area.”
