Wasps post worrying annual loss (and are after Betsen!)

TigerTimmy · Post by **TigerTimmy** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:11 am

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/ma ... remiership

Quite an interesting article, with a lot of info in it

Also didn't realise Wasps were after Betsen
"...who are close to signing the Biarritz and France flanker Serge Betsen.."

An interesting comment at the end too about the spliting of the RFU compensation for England players

""While we agree with the principle of an equal distribution of central money, we voted against in this case because we felt we would effectively be subsidising others to buy foreign players."

Doesn't seem to agree with the claim on another thread that everyone voted for the equal split. Couldn't understand why teams like Tigers, Wasps and Glos would vote for an equal split.

salcombe bob · Post by **salcombe bob** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:06 am

suggest they drop into the Ist Division so their wage bill drops.

chipnchase · Post by **chipnchase** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:12 am

Milton Keynes? Could a likley option. They already stole Wimbledon so why not have the MK Wasps?

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:32 am

Yes, it does seem to bring in to question the original media reports that the vote amongst the 12 clubs was unanimous!

PRL spin being unspun?

chipnchase · Post by **chipnchase** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:34 am

Mr Angel as we both know the powers to be couldn't organise for 12 jolly fellows to become intoxicated in a brewery.

GO MK WASPS! haha

POSTIGER · Post by **POSTIGER** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:19 pm

..........or maybe ol' Serge will sign a new-improved contract with Biaritz like he did when he was 'signing' for us!

TigerTimmy · Post by **TigerTimmy** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:53 pm

They might actually be closer to London if the played in Milton Keynes

Daveyboy · Post by **Daveyboy** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:45 pm

The main reason for their lack of solvency is Dayglo's pension.

Nik · Post by **Nik** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:44 pm

if you remember guys we thought we were on the verge of signing betsen a couple of seasons ago but he was playing Biarritz off against us in a wage war...

If he is playing the same tactics again and loses the daft bu.g.g.er will end up in sunny High Wycombe, the lucky lucky boy

captain_insaino · Post by **captain_insaino** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:59 pm

we've heard the term 'close to signing' banded around a lot hear recntly (hernandez, evans)

teds · Post by **teds** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:37 am

chipnchase wrote:Milton Keynes? Could a likley option. They already stole Wimbledon so why not have the MK Wasps?

I think Wimbledon moved because they couldn't afford the unsustainable losses they were making. Same as Wasps really.

Actually MK would be a smart move for Wasps. Big catchment area, easy access. The trouble is they would probably have to take a short term hit on the fan base for a season or two, but the proposed East-West rail line would make a location like the National Hockey Stadium easy to reach for almost every Premiership away fan (except Quins) by direct train, within the next 10-20 years. If they want a long term home, MK sounds like just the ticket.

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:44 pm

Betsen has been linked for a long time now - and linked quite heftily aswell. RT said something about him wanting to play with Ibanez for a season before retiring.

MurphysLaw · Post by **MurphysLaw** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:08 pm

Teds - not sure that either Sarries or Saints would be too chuffed if Wasps were to relocate to MK.(Likewise, Bedford, of course, but in a different league).

Sarries played their "home" game there last week, and I think both clubs look to pull in punters from the MK catchment.

Cozza Fan · Post by **Cozza Fan** » Fri May 16, 2008 11:50 am

Betsen is pretty much guarnteed to be coming to Wasps, as someone to bring experience to the backrow and who will be available all year with no international commitment and with the apparent departure of another backrow to fill that void.

They are very unlikely to relocate again, as a lot of work has been done to push attendances and it working and waspies do a lot of good community work which is now paying off.