“Just like yesterday's classic, negatively phrased, headline "Nothing to suggest Steve Lansdown's move will dilute his support for Bristol City", this headline is a complete joke.

It basically insinuates something is up, when it isn't. The rugby news basically has no baring on Rovers' stadium plans, but since when did the truth get in the way of a rubbish headline opportunity at the BEP. What a rag.”

“I had to laugh when I read Mr Higgs said he would carry on regardless. I used to love those films with Sid James and Liz Windsor.”

“mr kipper a great many rugby fans walk to the Mem so they can have a pint. Will they be able to do that at the UWE?”

“The heart says "new £40 million stadium for Rovers fantastic".

But the head says "something isn't right about the whole thing".

Trying to pretend that losing £100 000 pa worth of income doesn't matter only adds to the sense of unease.

The statements don't ring true about funding because the three sources we are told by the club are the only sources don't add up to £40 million or anything like it.

The myth about sustainability keeps being repeated but no significant new income streams are going to come from a gym, a club shop, a big bar, a convenience store or a jogging track. Even renting out teaching space isn't going to produce a huge income when you consider the upkeep and maintenance cost of such a big complex. Lets face it if a brand new stadium was allowed to deteriorate into a condition like the Mem is in today it would be a disgrace. So what crowds are we banking on to eliminate the £2 million per year loss ? Would 13000 or 14000 be sufficient ?

If Bristol City can't get those sort of crowds in the Championship how are Rovers going to manage it in league 1 or 2 and in a period of increasing economic austerity ?”

“Yep, hear what you are saying Mike, but BRFC are still in charge of their own destiny and not looking over one's shoulder as indicated by Theiron

But take your point.”

“But Bluecamel, the planners have the final say in what happens up at the Mem.

Mr Lansdown is entitled to put in a planning application for the Mem even if he doesn't own it.”

“@THEIRONS

BRFC own the memorial stadium - Lansdown would have no say in what happens up at the Mem.

But i do share conserns that with the rugby most likely moving to the dark side, this could possibly leave a financial hole left for Rovers to fill .....”

“I wish you blues all the luck with your proposed move to the U.W.E.But if i were a blue i would be very wary of the intentions of the new owner of the rugby club at your present home.As M.R. stated, your move is completely tied up in the fact that planing permission for the supermarket has to be obtained to secure the funds,it would be of no surprise if Mr Lansdown has a cunning plan, to put forward an alternative plan for the future of the rugby ground, other than as a supermarket.”

“Bristol Rovers are the only SME I've ever heard of which suffers no material impact through losing £100 000 per annum income.

But, more to the point, what is to stop the rugby club and Mr Lansdown submitting a planning application to redevelop the Mem but keep it primarily as a sports venue ?

The planners have to act within guidelines and make a decision based on the best interests of the community not on the best interests of Bristol Rovers. Would they be likely to approve an application for a supermarket if a plan for a redeveloped sports ground was also on the table ?”

“F.M, why, would we want Bath RFC playing in Bristol. We are Bristolians not Bathothians. Let them stay in somerset, and do what we can to encourage Bristol RFC to stay, with Lansdown's business nouse, maybe he could come up with a solution that suits BOTH teams. But don't forget The stadium owners are having Bristol RFC over, not BRFC we don't own the ground and are tennants ourselves, so when we got go to the new stadium, any revenue, made will again got to the landlords, UWE.”