By Steve Kaless
December 24th 2008 @ 2:15am
Related coverage
The NRL needs to hand a licence to the Central Coast
There is an elephant sitting in the NRL boardroom and it is adorned with a large flashing Las Vegas style neon light which reads ‘Central Coast rugby league’. The next big thing on the domestic to-do list is to get the Central Coast up and running and into the NRL.
The current pattern of teams relegating games against Newcastle to Bluetongue Stadium is the sort of halfway house solution that doesn’t satisfy rugby league fans in the region nor the fans of the travelling teams, and only slightly cheers up the club’s bean counters.
In fact, the only people it would make happy would be a few hard heads looking to test themselves against Belinda Neal after a dozen schooners at Club Troppo.
You could even argue it actually alienates local fans as it deprives them of the respect of seeing their own team in action. If they are good enough for NRL matches, they are good enough to have their own side.
For god’s sake, the people of Cronulla do.
I’ve also always maintained that a relocated side is also doomed to fail. Why should the people of the Central Coast pick up a side that has failed elsewhere?
The only exception would be a revival of the North Sydney Bears.
This is due to the fact that the Bears have always had an eye on the Central Coast (the attempts to get up there actually killed them off) and it is probably closer to their rugby league territory of Asquith, Pennant Hills, and the rest of the Hills district than North Sydney Oval.
I’d argue the NRL needs to hand a licence to the Central Coast in the same way it did the Gold Coast: that is, with a few seasons for the club to build its side and infrastructure.
The Titans are the blueprint for a successful launch, so plagiarism is encouraged if not demanded.
They’ve looked to restart the momentum by appointing David Fairleigh, and acting CEO Greg Florimo is clearly a contender for Australia’s most patient man.
A new club could also help retain players heading to Super League. In fact, I’ll even create the first rumour that Matt King could be a great marquee signing.
Unhappy in Warrington and a former North Sydney lower grader, it could be the sort of signing to get things happening, at least in the tabloid press.
Bluetongue Stadium is also a great ground and it is a crying shame it is only used in the summer months by the Mariners.
I’ll also fire a pre-emptive strike against anyone who believes that the area is strictly Mariners territory now.
You are dreaming.
The Central Coast clearly has a big enough population to support a number of sporting franchises, and given the Mariners crowds this year, they are clearly as far away from a mortgage there as many of the battlers in the area are.
If no other code could survive on the Central Coast, what hope the A-League franchises in North Queensland or the Gold Coast?
Remember, reality exists outside cyberspace.
But I digress, be it as the Central Coast Bears in red and black or the Central Coast Bucks in a Hawaiian motif, I’d love to make the trip come 2011/2012.
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oikee said | December 24th 2008 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Hardly a time to expand, relocation would be better, if they cant get their heads around this then like everyone else, they will just have to wait, we have other expansion teams wanting into the comp, Perth, New Guinea, Sunshine coast, Brisbane east and west, along with Wellington, now you do the sums, someone is going to miss out, so relocation should be a winner for any area, lets pull ourheads out of the sand and make this a joyous decision. Merry X-Mas.
Mick from Giralang said | August 16th 2009 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
Agree oikee. The only way Central Coast should get a team is a relocation. A Perth NRL side is a far more pressing need, in my view.
Wallythefly said | December 24th 2008 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Absolutley they should be back in,
The Central Coast argument is clear but the north shore argument is also important. You bring back the bears on the Coast there will be PLENTY of people who’ll suddenly tune into their games (i know plenty of them).
From Asquith and other places on the north shore its very quick to get onto the highway and get up north so a lot of them would travel to Bluetongue for games.
Midfielder said | December 24th 2008 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Steve
You raise an interesting dilemma … if I may bear with me as I don’t think it is as simple as you imply.
RL has limited resources in an increasing competitive market . So when it invests it must get the biggest bang for its buck it can, or greatest return on investment.
AS I see it RL can invest in PNG and the Pacific Islands or the Central Coast not both or at least not both together. Maybe even a second NZ team.
A Central Coast would get how many more people in the Central Coast to watch RL on TV … say 15% which is way to high an increase on current viewing patterns as the CC is already a very good rating area for RL on TV. However 15% of 300, 000 people is 45, 000 extra and that is well beyond what they would achieve.
Now a PNG side with a number of Island teams suddenly opens up Oceania to RL and gives it more access to the 12 million people living in NZ / PNG/ Fiji/ and other Pacific Islands. Also it gives a six nation international tournament with Australia & NZ being seeds.
Now lets take another extreme figure … assume and this is extremely low that by having a PNG / PI side its gets only an extra half of one percent. That half by 12 million is 60, 000.
So its simple an extra CC team would add little if anything IMO to the TV media deal… whereas the PNG / PI team would add heaps and help promote the six nations international tournament and by far offset any loss incurred by the AFL moving into RL heartland.
In business it called a discounted cash flow or return on earnings or similar such names … But it is not simple to run a sport these days and the next move for RL must be in PNG and the Pacific Islands the last RLWC proved that beyond doubt IMO.
Redb said | December 24th 2008 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Midfielder,
“whereas the PNG / PI team would add heaps and help promote the six nations international tournament and by far offset any loss incurred by the AFL moving into RL heartland.”
Code war mongering again I see.
Redb
Forgetmenot said | December 24th 2008 @ 11:08am | Report comment
The NRL has failed to realise that the FFA is targetting Queensland and the area south going to Sydney as a development area for soccer in Australia. If they fail to get their act together soon it will be all over red rover.
Steve Kaless said | December 24th 2008 @ 10:11pm | Report comment
Midfielder,
The big difference between PNG and the Central Coast is also the set up costs and costs of running the franchise. The Central Coast has an NRL ready stadium, transport costs are the same as most Sydney clubs, they have a team in the NSW Cup and the infrastructure ready to go. PNG are a long way off all of those and in thus two very different prospects.
In business, I believe it is called comparing apples to oranges. However you are correct is questioning whether funds should be allocated to them. I, of course, think it would be a winner.
Midfielder said | December 24th 2008 @ 11:56pm | Report comment
Forgetmenot
All codes now accept what the NRL have been saying about regional NSW & QLD viewing patterns.
A copy and paste from another Roar threat I posted in but adds to your comment and the it is estimated by 2012 that 56 maybe a bit more of Australia’s population will live in NSW & QLD and the fastest growing parts of Australia are NSW & QLD regional centers
NSW has a regional population of 2, 828, 329 & QLD a regional population of 2, 294, 400 with SA, WA, TAS, NT have a total population of 4, 256, 216 meaning that NSW & QLD regional areas have 865, 813 more people than SA, WA, TAS, NT.
My population listing for your analysis by regional center.
NSW Regional
Central Coast…. 306,000
Hunter ………….. 611,935
Illawarra ……….. 414,000
Riverina ………….149,039
Murray………….. 111,000
Capital Region …500,000
Mid North Coast.. 242,000
Northern Rivers .. 265,000
New England ….. 175,883
Orana …………….120,000
Central West ……175,351
Far West …………..23,181
Total ……………. 2,828,329
Queensland
Gold Coast ………… 505, 500
Sunshine Coast ….. 303, 100
West Moreton ………..74, 300
Wide Bay-Burnett ….275, 700
Darling Downs ……..229, 300
South West ………….. 26, 200
Fitzroy …………………204, 500
Central West ………….11, 400
Mackay ……………….163, 100
Northern …………….. 214, 300
Far North …………….253, 700
North West ……………33, 300
Total QLD ………….2, 294, 400
Total NSW & QLD ..5, 122, 729
South Australia…… .1, 542, 000
Western Australia …2, 010, 000
Tasmania ………………..491, 704
Northern Territory …….212, 512
Total SA/WA/TAS/NT… 4, 256, 216
Regional NSW /QLD …….865, 513
ros said | December 25th 2008 @ 7:14am | Report comment
The north sydney bears built the stadium and the bears need to be on the coast to fix our game it is wrong that they were kicked out in the first place they did relocate and only had a short fall of funds due to the stadium not being completed on time. in 1999 the bears played home games in queensland etc thats why they were short of funds they did not have the gate taking from a home crowd until the last couple of games at north sydney oval the nrl should have aloud them to trade out at gosford but instead they forced the merger with manly. get it right nrl give us back our bears.
Midfielder said | December 25th 2008 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
Ros
State government built the stadium ..
Crosscoder said | December 26th 2008 @ 6:52am | Report comment
Midfielder : Not fully correct according to the official NSW govt Hansard 11/5/2004:
The State and federal govts each contributed $12.5m each.The Local council $4m and the balance the Nth Sydney rl club and the Central Coast RL club for a $32m stadium.According to my maths the rl clubs contributed $3m in toto.
If any code has a right to have its sport ensconsed there, it is the big ,black, brutal and forever the bridesmaids, Bears.
ros said | December 26th 2008 @ 7:59am | Report comment
midfielder the north sydney district rugby league football club lobbied the government andgained the funding the norths league club did in fact put in over 4 million and for the first 3 years once the stadium was open paid over 320000.00 per year for the up keep of the grounds so the stadium would not have been built if it was not for the bears moving up to the central coast.
Midfielder said | December 26th 2008 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Ros & Crosscoder
I agree with your recent comments but disagreed with Ros’s previous comment that Norths Built the stadium.
But back on topic… What in in this for RL … how many more people will watch TV because of it. Sydney has what 9 teams and Newcastle to the north .. 300, 000 people and many of these especially in the northern parts of the CC have Newcastle as there team. Reach year the NRL play a number of games there so where is the advantage to grow and expand RL. Are other areas better say Sunshine Coast, Wellington, PNG as I said earlier.
IMO the CC needs a Sydney team to die and take its place with its own team… lets look at the contenders.
Manly … no way
Easts … needed to counter the Swans & SFC and who else other than the Easts Leagues club would fund them so they stay,
Souths… I don’t think RC would allow it.
Saints … no way Commonwealth just re developed their ground and the gong thrown in so no.
Cronulla … Good chance they will go broke ..
Wests … No way are to well supported by their various leagues clubs
Parra … not with the new board,
Penrith … NO with the leagues club and the Commonwealth Gov redeveloping the ground a real no go.
C’Bury … Ya homeless have had some big problems so ya.
IMO put in a bid when the next Sydney team falls over you will take their place much like Tassie has done in the AFL … the sharks or the dogs more likely the sharks will go under and its yours then a new team.
Crosscoder said | December 26th 2008 @ 11:21am | Report comment
Midfielder.
Have to disagree with you on the perilous position re the Sharks.In view of proposed development plans( on land which they own), and which they will put to council in the DA proposal 1st qtr 2009 involving confirmed committment of a 3.5star hotel group,retail outlets and over 55s housing(120-150 apartments/villas),think they will be in a far better financial position than the majority of Sydney clubs.This will take away any reliance on poker machine profits.More about this development will appear in the media over the next few months.The early stage of local input and comment has already taken place,prior Christmas.
The Commonwealth also threw in $10.5m for the development of a new stand at Shark Park.Thank you to Mr Pierre Costello.
I do agree a team is needed on the CC.A team with the nostalgia of the Bears would do more to heal the SL rift than any other
decision IMO.
A team in Perth ,one involving PNG and one in Wellington NZ. 20 teams 2 conferences .Should just about do it.
Adelaide and Sunshine Coast down the line maybe.
Midfielder said | December 26th 2008 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
Crosscoder
Thanks for that info on the Sharks I did not know that … that leaves the dogs as I see it, or Souths if RC does not see improvement.
I am still not convinced a CC team adds more value than than others I have mentioned … QLD is now the real power house in RL and I would give the Sunshine Coast a team before the CC.
In the end we are both going on gut feel more than a detailed analysis ..Hopefully the NRL will do some homework on which brings the best result for the overall betterment of RL as a whole.
Marty said | December 26th 2008 @ 7:15pm | Report comment
This is not just about the Central Coast getting it’s own rugby league team (which is needed).
This is also about reconnecting the North Shore of Sydney to Rugby League.
On their own they are two important markets for Rugby League.
Together, they should be handing the Bears a licence for 2210, why wait ’til 2011 ??
Col said | December 28th 2008 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
It’s time to fix the wrongs of rugby league..David Gallop has made it clear that the next target is the Central Coast,end of story, this statement he made back on august the 1st 08,in the media.not my words, his…The Mariners and the Bears can both live side by side on the CC, there is room for both clubs to succeed and they will..As Ros has stated, it was the Bears who negotiated the funding from the govt,Bob Carr and John Howard were not sitting around one night having a couple of beers and said “hey lets build a 32 million dollar stadium at Gosford” it was Norths who instigated that, plus 4 million of their own funding and with Gosford Council and a big Bear supporter in the mayor at the time here Chris Holstein..Norths junior clubs have also had an affiliation with the CC and each year since the 70s have played trial matches against Kinkumber, and Ourimbah..The very strong North Sydney Junior club of Berowra, enjoys their annual outings against the CC juniors and vica versa..Yes ;the Bears will work,the Central Coast will work, all we need is the go ahead from the NRL..I agree 2010 would be better for all concerned, but you have to get the players coming off contract to make the CC Bears a very strong club straight up, as Gold Coast have done..it took then 1.5 years to get up and running..Its our turn now, Bears supporters so keep the momentum going, but as I look around on all these other forums,the Bears reinvigorated on the CC seems to be what the majority of posters want weather they are from the CC ;North shore. or Penrith supporters or Souths supporters even Manly supporters are saying bring the Bears back and when Zorba openly says it on air, you just wonder don’t you…Its been mentioned about the value of another team, well I’m sure Fox would love to have more subscribers from Milsons point to Wyong.plus more merchandise sales, plus a stop on players going overseas to super league or other codes, if they have another team..Yes lets just get on with it, Mr gallop.but just one more thing,the Swans have also been making inroads to the central Coast recently, with camps, and getting into the schools , if the NRL don’t act soon,they will loose more and more kids to AFL,.cheers Col.
Col said | December 28th 2008 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
oh and just an add on here, not having an NRL team has had some major effects on clubs in the CC and North Shore region…When the jim Beam cup first got up and running you had 4 Central Coast teams in that comp..now I believe for next season it’s just one and they are struggling..Union has made major inroads into the North Shore as has AFL..Junior clubs have lost many many teams from the Bears Juniors since Norths were dropped..Clubs like Lane cove are no more, Penno struggles as does Brothers and willoughby, once all very strong clubs not that long ago,Hills Hawks, Berowra and Asquith, have continued to be strong, but even those clubs have lost teams since the Bears were ousted..Northern district Knights gone…Yes it is time to finally fix this before more rot sets in..Col.
billy said | December 28th 2008 @ 7:15pm | Report comment
Col, agree with much of what you have written except the bit about union making major inroads on the north shore. Rugby union has always been strong on the north shore in part due to the vast array of rugby clubs e.g. first division clubs such as Northern districts, Gordon, Manly, Warrigah. Many sub-district clubs, plus a very strong presence in school especially private schools.
I am a Manly rugby league supporter but would love nothing more than to see the Bears re-instated!
Col said | December 29th 2008 @ 6:50am | Report comment
I refer to one junior club in prticular..Hornsby, now Hornsby Lions were the colours of forrestville, Green and White,they were quite a strong junior club, I recall them winning the A Grade grandfinal in the late 90s..they are no more.The only Hornsby Lions club now wear the colours of Red,Black and Yellow and play Union..The Maroon and white club of Berowra Wallabies are a stong club, they don’t have the backing of a Leagues club as Asquith, but this year were the first North Sydney Rugby league junior team to take out the Manly A grade comp on a shoestring budget unlike the Valleys United..But Berowra are a very tight nit communtiy based club, and the majority of the community do get involved and behind the club, and the boys are all locals..I feel the same can be done for the Central Coast Bears team..the community to get involved..and it will be a great success.as the Mariners are.it’s just 9 seasons overdue for us..but as you know Billy, we are an old and very resiliant club…probably one of the darkest years for the Bears was in 2004,after that year we were extremely lucky to keep going,But the ‘wiz’ Gary Freeman come on as Coach for the 05 season and now we are thriving again,getting into the 07 Grandfinal, Minor Premiers in 08, and ready again for the big time and don’t forget General Manager Greg Florimo needs a medal for the way he has kept the club afloat,,we just need the NRL to make Central Coast and North Shore bears supporters once and for all content..Bears for 2011, Sunshine Coast for 2012…hell if the AFL can put in 2 teams for 11 and 12 why not the NRL.good hearing from you after all these years Bill, this is the first forum, I’ve been on for years..loosing the Bears ripped the heart out of many many Bears supporters, and you wouldn’t want any other club supporters to go through what North Sydney had too for way too long, everyone just has to get out there and help get those Bears back, we need the Central Coast Bears…cheers Col
Col said | December 29th 2008 @ 8:08am | Report comment
now I hear NO central coast teams in Jim Beam /Bundy cup for next year Erina out as well…
Michael C said | December 29th 2008 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Midfielder -
okay, re the NSW centric national viewer patterns (and this is half serious here), should Melb Storm move effectively ‘back’ to Gosford?
- – - – -
it’d help to :
A. consolidate the NSW/QLD metro/regional NRL market ‘ownership’
B. it’d provide greater attendance/viewing benefit that Storm (perhaps), other than if Storm are in the GF
C. the apparent ground sharing benefits for HAL and NRL would be maximised
D. it’d strategically allow the NRL to try to claw back some lost ground on the Central Coast (from HAL)
E. NSW and QLD is big enough for the NRL – for now – a consolidation phase to wait and see who wins out of soccer/footy/union, might be best therefore for NRL to not even consider national expansion for the time being.
- – - – - -
I personally don’t see the NRL to be in a position to be able to afford to seek expansion on a grand scale outside of NSW/QLD for quite some time and still feel that if a Rugby Union side got up in Melbourne that the Storm would over night lose a large portion of their support (especially should they fall from the current heights) – - – granted though, the new bubble stadium might see a support boom as folk try out the new venue.
oikee said | December 29th 2008 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Well the NRL would never travel that path again M.C, we pulled the teams from down south once before and are still paying the price for this failure. No the storm are a permanent fixture in Melbourne come rain hail or storm
but another 2 teams would be a good addition to the comp, Bears should and will be main priority because like many others, if only to stop hearing about them being left out. Perth really need a team, and being a large city would benifit from having a NRL team there.
I also can see at least 2 more teams, how fast they make this happen is really up to the NRL, and we all know it takes money to get them off the ground, would need to be strong bids.
Michael C said | December 29th 2008 @ 11:06am | Report comment
oikee -
main problem for a CCM/Nth Syd team on the basis of expansion is that firstly, you aren’t increasing the ’spread’ of the game via the CCM/Nth Syd option. So, it offers little TV revenue value especially in the mature NSW pay tv market.
Perth as an option…………main problem there is that the Force are well entrenched, and with Glory over there too as well as Freo and the Weagles with such huge followings…………that leaves scraps for an NRL franchise……………potentially,
how long could it be afforded should it not take off like wild fire? Can the ARL/NRL afford to bankroll a near development state franchise in the near future? for how long?
My main thought was to achieve the desire of the article via contraction and consolidation as a strategy for longer term capacity to expand.
i.e. the game of Risk teaches that a single soldier in 20 spaces is hardly a dominant presence and just as likely to vanish on the next turn. Sometimes, you need to be willing to absorb a contraction, to consolidate your forces, weather the storm of the expansion of others, and then strike when they are spread most thinly.
Col said | December 29th 2008 @ 11:51am | Report comment
The Central Coast is a safe bet. and I’m sure the NRL know this, it is a huge rugby league area..and as the NRL has said publicly in the past,go where your strengths are…and as I stated above,the North Shore and the Central Coast have huge potential for pay tv subscribers..the NRL have also stated publicly that they will protect the sydney clubs .. they saw the effect when the Bears were removed and the damage at the grass roots level, probably some damage that will never be mended.. but they can curtail it if they act very soon to get the CC and the NS stitched up once and for all, otherwise, this is going to linger on and on,gees it has for 9 seasons and we’re still there.and we will continue to be there until the Bears are finally readmitted.The Bears located 32 mil to build Gosford stadium back in ‘98, and I believe they now have the means and the confidence to secure the 10/15 mil start up fee for the CC team, the Bears brand is still very popular,you just have to ask the NRL how much Bears merchandise was sold during the centenery year..the royalities will come in handy for our football club.I still think the Sunshine Coast will be after us, then probably Perth and Adelaide again. Melbourne are going no where.The Bears were the feeder club to the Storm in 05 and 06 before teaming up with souths in 07..The Storm are very happy to stay where they are..they don’t want to relocate and neither they should.Loosing our U/20s in 2007 when the toyota cup began had a terrible effect on the club and the boys who were in jersey Flegg at the time, a lot of those rep boys missed out, and had to go back to park footy.. But if the Bears were back in and on the CC it would at least had given those boys some lifeline another option to assist them.yes the Bears really have been hit from pillar to post in the past 9 seasons…all we want is a fair go, give us the chance we didn’t get back in ‘99.. other clubs have had chances.. Newcastle, New Zealand, even Manly have had a second chance.. the GC are onto their 4th… we just want a fair go.so we can follow rugby league in the top grade again. cheers Col.
oikee said | December 29th 2008 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Can see your point M.C but Perth has a very strong junior base and has a feeder club in the Queensland cup. This year they will have 4 teams play over there to get a picture of how they are progressing. St George, Roosters, South Sydney and Newcastle will all be playing over there 2009. This will be a good focal point to see how they are going. They have the foundations in plce, you cant ignore a city of 1.5 million people. If you do they tend to get there backs up.
The Bears are another who you can no longer ignore, bring them back now or lose them for good. Sunshine coast needs another 10 years for development. They have not got the ficilaties for a good bid as yet. Maybe if they tried to do a bonding team bid with Papua might be a better option. Either way , the NRL just needs to batton down the hatches for a couple of years , see how the outlook is after 2010. This is not the time to spend money on expansion, the big money market is not there. 2012 would be the time for new teams to arrive, so a bid and acception should be made 2010-11 and have all the sponsers and grounds along with facillaties tied up before then. The outlook is bleak.
Col said | December 29th 2008 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
members@redandblackarmy.com.au ,help the mighty BEARS get back into the NRL and become the 17th team based entirely on the Central Coast .Bears Administration,staff,players, all based at the Central Coast offices a complete relocation.you are very welcome to add this address to any other forums you see fit. the goal is to have at least 500 members before Jan 31st..09…thanks
Crosscoder said | December 30th 2008 @ 6:27am | Report comment
Michael C .Note you are on again about the possible relocation of the Storm,with the usual assumptions a union team being set up etc etc.The crowds didn’t flock to the ARC comp for starters.
Its called the NRL,as in national ,so it won’t be shrinking back to 2 states.
The Storm as has been pointed out montonously, is situated in the 2nd biggest city in Oz,with the 2nd biggest commercial opportunities.The Storm sponsorship is among the biggest in the NRL and compares more than favourably with many Melbourne AFL based teams.The value commercially of the Storm is shown in them being the 5th placed in total merchandise royalties in the NRL>
They together with News ltd,and the Vic govt continue to pour money into development of rl in that state.Throw in the new stadium,in place of ground zero they use ATM.Throw in new rl clubs in Melbourne,and the increase in home crowds in 2008,an extra 24 junior teams in Vic,and further penetration in the schools.
Storm crowds as stated were up in 2008,Swans crowds down as were the TV ratings.Should the swans pull the plug?Answer no .Its a long term thingee.
Melbourne pop 4million? CC about 350,000 go figure the potential for TV and advtg.
Central Coast needs to be either a resurrected Bears side or a compeletly new entity.
Steffy said | December 30th 2008 @ 6:37am | Report comment
Crosscoder, it seems as if Michael C has fallen into the trap of believing that Storm supporters are mostly union supporters waiting for a union franchise to come along. It’s a theory I have seen several times on union messageboards. it’s rather charming
Col said | December 30th 2008 @ 8:03am | Report comment
350.000 population of the Central Coast, but whats the combined population if you add in Milsons point to Brooklyn as well..because thats the market we are looking at…
oikee said | December 30th 2008 @ 8:15am | Report comment
Good point Col, either way, Bears should be the 1st team back, they are better placed than any other location. And i still think Perth should be the next team, because of 1.5 million people, surely you must get at least 10 thousand to attend games.
Col said | December 30th 2008 @ 10:20am | Report comment
The NRL have booked in 4 games for next year at Gosford,
1st trial match, Feb 28th: eels V Roosters
round 3 match, Knights V Bunnies
round 9 match RoostersVStorm
round 14 matchRoosterV titans
Old Easts hey;once again back for the cash from the Central Coast, how many more years does the Coast have to prove itself with NRL games before they finally get their own team…I must admit it does frustrate you just a little.
Michael C said | December 30th 2008 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Crosscoder and Steffy -
well – - I DO know quite a number of Kiwis in particular who follow Storm because it’s all there is. They often have their better crowds when hosting the Warriors. Most of these folk are Union supporters – - – however, still rather ‘burned’ by the granting of the licence to Perth rather than Melb.
The failure of the ARC was national, and was an insult to Melbourne RU supporters……hardly the tool to placate the people.
Getting a Super 14 team in, with that international dimension, would be a real point of distinction to the AFL (& NRL) club competition.
Re the Storm – - – it’s more that there’s always been someone in Sydney who is willing to speak up and suggest that Storm just be brought back home. On this topic, this article………….it’s a valid question to ask…………
Show me where the NRL is so flush with cash that they can envisage expansion into cluttered relatively minor markets……….i.e. the benefit of pushing into Perth is hard to measure, will it help grow Foxtel subscriptions? Will it help largely enough to increase tv broadcast rights? Because, it’s a fair road from 1 team once a fortnight to the value the AFL for example has in Ade and Perth with 2 teams, a game a week. The NRL has illustrated this as well with their strength in QLD and the AFL has down 20-30 years work in Syd and Bris to be on the verge of finally establishing a 2nd team for a game a week. The real value comes when you get that…………..why is the HAL rushing headlong to lock away the 3 main states with a minimum game a week.
in which case, – crosscoder – - –
would there be consideration of a second MElbourne NRL team?? (this was in the back of my mind althroughout, I think I’ve segwayed into it here).
Col said | December 30th 2008 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Steve k. you mentioned in your article that Matt King should be the first signing of the CC Bears.. i’d go a little better, let Norths Junior Mitch Pierce from Asquith magpies, return to the Red and Black as the halfback..saw him many a time play for Asquith and in the Harold Matts and Sg ball for the Bears also young Liam Foran another Norths Junior from Asquith now at the Warriors..Aaron Groom the boy over at Bulldogs,Berowra junior…an enforcer in Mark o’Meley, CC coast junior, and also former Bears rep player..and there is the talent coming through the ranks now at the Bears also, who would be just right for the 2011 season plus a combination of some talent from the CC Storm rep teams, and you would have a very talented lot indeed.
Crosscoder said | December 31st 2008 @ 5:14am | Report comment
Michael C
The ARC comp was touted by the ARU as being a test case to gauge union people’s interst and an expectation of decent crowds in Melbourne ,due to the supposed popularity of the game there.It didn’t happen,much to the chagrin and extremely expensive cost to the ARU.Memo! they are so committed to union they didn’t bother to attend.
Of course when the storm get decent crowds playing the Broncos,the additional fans are NZedders.Fair crack.
No one is arguing that there is not a number of people who follow union in Vic,the point is the continuing exposure/succes/penetratio of the Storm has created already a growing committed fan base.
I also know of a few Vics who have converted to rl because of the Storm .So what? You sure know a lot of Storm supporters.Of course the increase in numbers are all NZedders it appears.
Vic NZedders ,Polynesians, Australians gee what is their origin?
BTW the intnl flavour of the S14 did not translate in Brisbane/Canberra/Sydney into larger crowds for 08,and more so in NZ intself.Bad example.
Conversely a rl team in Perth,based on your hypothesis should the NRL start a team in that state they can expect many rl supporters,as ATM they are following the force as the only team in town.Maybe .
When you get some of the harshest critics in sydney of the storm being in Melbourne ,now accepting their long term existence such as Phil Gould and John gibbs of 2UE for starters,the message is getting through.The suggestion that the Storm relocate to CC ,is becoming a non issue for most rl people I listen to ,or read of in the media .
You have argued my point that it takes time,and the Storm have been in Melbourne for 10 years only,
Flush with cash the NRL are not, correct.We are not talking now but down the road 2011/2012.The next TV contract which was ordinary last time.Having a CC and a Perth side will offer more slots for Pay to a wider audience.
Perth has had an increase of 30% in juniors this year.
The head honcho of fox TV ,(name escapes me )stated clearly the reason AFL got a bigger TV deal was its exposure/teams to the national market.This despite the ratings numbers in brisbane and sydney being ordinary on FTA and Fox.
Gallop has stated a central coast team is a must down the line as is a Perth side.CC bcause of the huge number of juniors and a rl area,and perth because of the commercial opportunities,junior participation,and the huge number of east Coast expats,brits and sth africans living there.Cluttered ina city of 1.5million hardly.When one considers the GCoast which has 1 NRL/1 Hal/soon 1 AFL down the line perhaps a union side in a pop of 600,000.
When one talks about funds and flush,in view of these uncertain financial times, codes such as AFL also may be a tad overoptimistic in thinking they will get 200$m per year for Tv contracts in view of the Nth states ratings and the economy.
I repeat the Bears as a stand alone on the CC,with a couple of matches at the nth sydney oval v(Manly and St George) wouldfill the place.itwould bring people who now follow the swans/tahs because the Bears were given the flick,back to the NRL.Trust me,I know of 3 examples of people I met over the years who would walk over broken glass to support the NRL Bears,who currently support AFl/union.
Sam said | December 31st 2008 @ 7:13am | Report comment
Crosscoder
Although I do agree with you with the North Shore / Central Coast thing, I do remember David Gallop clearly saying that Perth would be a long way away as they just don’t have the support there at the moment. This was on an interview he had on the Footy Show (also mentioned it one other time).
Also I cannot see NRL going beyond 16 clubs (not sustainable). So if Central Coast Bears were to go in, who would go out? My theory is the Sydney Clubs need to be rationalised. Bulldogs, Sharks or Rabbitohs look the most likely targets. Central Coast, 2nd Brisbane and Sunshine Coast team will come in over time. Also what is the bet that the NRL Grand Final will start being shared between Sydney and Brisbane? Do you think this will happen?
oikee said | December 31st 2008 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Perth, this is a must for expansion into the NRL. Like i have said, 1.5 million people so they need a outlet for their frustrations.
CC, the Bears like i have mentioned need to be resurected. They have 100 years of history, why they were ever allowed out is a mystery.
Sunshine coast, not yet as they need time to get hungry for league, Along with Ipswich and Logan we cant satisfy everyone, these areas are very loyal to league, the Queensland cup is enough to keep these areas happy, these clubs are feeder teams for other NRL clubs.
So really if none of the NRL teams want to relocate then i think we only need 2 more teams for now as a proiority.
Col said | December 31st 2008 @ 7:36am | Report comment
The Sunshine Coast sea eagles are coming into the QRL for 09, as Manly have dropped their NSW cup side to use the SC as their feeder club..Sam it can be sustained and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears would be Privately funded, as Souths and also Manly..
Sol said | December 31st 2008 @ 7:37am | Report comment
To follow the AFL’s logic, the NRL should have its next new/relocated club based in Melbourne.
oikee said | December 31st 2008 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Interesting point Sol. I have often thought about this point. Maybe we should just be waiting to see what impact the coverage of super league games has over here for the next couple of years, one thing i do know is that a expansion area has really got to be viable in these times. No good just puting in a team to see it calapse after 2 years. Next year the Perth reds will be in the Queensland cup, we should get a good feel out of this to see how they are progressing. Papua New Guinea with Government backing might be a good option.?
Sol said | December 31st 2008 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Wasn’t PNG in the Qld Cup in the 1990s? PNG is a 3rd world country. The NRL doesn’t have culturally-aligned clubs. The NZ Warriors are full of Aussies. Aust NRL teams are full of Polynesians. Players go where the best opportunities are.
While Steve Price and Brent Tate might be willing to brave the cold of Auckland and move their families there for the $, how many NRL ego driven stars are going to cop living within a Port Moresby security compound? Talk about life in a fish bowl! How many of their wives and girlfriends will even allow it. NONE.
The PNG idea is a political stunt. How many new Foxtel subscriptions will PNG bring? NONE. How many NRL quality players will PNG bring? Another Marcus Bai? Any more? None from the recent PNG world cup team got NRL contracts from their performances.
Col said | December 31st 2008 @ 8:39am | Report comment
Sorry to dissapoint, but I’m pretty sure Perth /WA reds are still in Jim Beam cup next year, but Gold Coast Titans are fielding a Harold Matts (U/16s)team in the NSW cup comp.they had an SG Ball team in 08 (U18) and also I hear Melbourne are fielding teams in the Harold Matts next year, and possible SG Ball as well.. as I said previously Melbourne are staying put, they are investing heavily into their Juniors now.Sydney Bulls are now in the NSW cup for 09 after leaving the Jim Beam cup,and play as the Bankstown city Bulldogs..they are the NRL Bulldogs feeder club.
I think it’ll be a little strange though to have 2 Storm clubs running around in the lower grades..CC storm and Melbourne storm. don’t you think??but then a couple of years ago there were 3 Magpies teams running around in the Jim Beam cup, Asquith, Wentworthville and Ourimbah..
Crosscoder said | December 31st 2008 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Sam .
As far as Perth is concerned ,Gallop has stated that eventually(not immediately) he wants a truly national comp ideally.ATM based on the current Tv contracts/sponsorship it is not economically feasable.
The fact the perth reds have a team in the jim beam cup,is not hard to figure.A base for a future NRL side.
The CC has at least infrastructure in situ,the NRL would ideally want a current Sydney side to relocate (and have made an $8m offer)to cover that area.IMO the Bears and the Bears only, should be the ones.
As far as 18 teams? Well it wasn’t that long ago we were told that 14 was the number,then Souths thank goodness came back.Then we were told 15 is it,then the GC with its too good to refuse off came up.Suddenly we had 16 teams.
18 teams ,-2 televised on friday night,3 saturday night/afternoon,3 sunday afternoon and 1 monday.
That could suck up some serious money from fox/ch7/ch9 or even 10,when the current economic crisis is only a distant memory in 2010.
Col said | December 31st 2008 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
There are NRL games in Adelaide in 09 too, just thought I’d throw that one in…But CC Bears should and I feel will be the first team in…lets hope we just get the nod very very soon,all us Bears supporters have been tortured enough thankyou very much…
Sam said | December 31st 2008 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Crosscoder
My point was that Queensland is growing population wise, and surely to move there makes more sense than Perth. From what I hear the Queensland Cup gets a good following, and this is a second tier comp.
oikee said | December 31st 2008 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
Well if what makes sense is what it is all about then Channel 9 has to show more games into the southern states. So going by your point of PNG not growing any pie for players or veiwers then a team in Perth is a must have, along with more coverage. Why is Channel 9 so scared to show the game down south, keep showing the storm games will improve the veiwer numbers. Origin is a game watched by plenty of veiwers, so they know what league is, this B.S that people dont know the difference between league or Rugby is just that. B.S. Its like saying i dont know the difference between Gaelic and AFL.
Col said | January 1st 2009 @ 7:55am | Report comment
Happy 09 to all, and it seems a very happy start to the year for the CC Mariners in front of a home crowd of over 15 thousand at Gosford beat Perth glory…The NRL can’t leave this place empty anymore during the winter season…
Sol said | January 1st 2009 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Col – so let’s get this clear – you are saying that people who go to NRL games in winter DON’T GO to A-League games in summer?
I’m surprised that the MCG cricket had anyone there on Boxing Day given the popularity of AFL in Melbourne.
Sol said | January 1st 2009 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
Apologies Col. I think I misunderstood your comment. You saying that there is clearly an audience on the CC and the NRL should tap into it?
Michael C said | January 1st 2009 @ 2:03pm | Report comment
crosscoder -
the ARC drew stuff all crowds anywhere……perhaps Melb was purely in line with the rest of the country……it was a second rate comp that was never going to succeed as a major drawcard. Well. I know it’s easy said after the event. But, you can’t single out Melbourne when crowds were desperately thin across the board.
btw – - for some reason, when a SoO match is played in Melbourne, there appears generally to be more QLD support than NSW support. It doesn’t surprise me that the Broncos (and I looked at the ‘best crowds’ figures too for Storm) draw well.
Whether it’s that many ex pat Vics use such games as an excuse to come back ‘home’ to visit the extended family? or the QLD folk in general are more likely to travel to Melbourne during winter (and perhaps take in a trip to the snow) than are Sydney folk?
Gotta be a reason……..’cos, the Sydney teams should be better supported down here………you’d imagine…….than they are. However, perhaps too, Sydney folk prefer to head north in winter than south???
Col said | January 1st 2009 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
Just thought I’d add the Central Coast won the ARC grandfinal. j(ust in case you missed it ).Yes Sol the Central Coast in winter is an untapped market, the NRL plus what appears to be the same few clubs ,send a few games a year.thinking it will appease the crowds, and they do get good crowds for those handful of games but how long will the ‘dash for cash’ last before the CC start saying enoughs enough, we want our own team now, we have had to prove ourselves over and over and still the CC Bears don’t get a start..Congratulations to Greg Florimo and his committee for at least having another go and trying to get the team on the CC.and back into the NRL After 2 times of trying and being unsuccessful hopefully this time will be 3rd time lucky.The word also is Peter Stirling (CC resident)has been approached to be the ambassador for the CC Bears, and to help with the bid…and I’m sure more will begin to come on board in the very near future..
Midfielder said | January 1st 2009 @ 5:02pm | Report comment
Col
Love the passion .. but I am still to be convinced that the Central Coast is the best next move .. it will add little to the TV ratings … and will further centre around Sydney …IMO a CC team from a business respect is a no go, as others have said there are a number of other opitions most IMO are better from an expansion stance.
MC for the above reasons the Storm if they do relocate need to move to an expansion area.
Jaredsbro said | January 1st 2009 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
Well if the Central Coast gets a RL team in the NRL I’ll just have to move away from Sydney and get a job up in the ‘Midlands’ The Bears are excellent ambassadors for the old-style of RL too and with Gould waving his magic dust way up there and over the Harbour bridge you CC fans are in for a wonderful New Year’s present.
Still doesn’t change the fact that NRL will be accused of trying to expand the game as a response of AFL’s dash for gold coast cash. But AFL has its issues too. I love the colours of North Sydney too, bloomin shame what happened to them
In fact I have to say the Central coast would’ve been a better location for the 16th franchise
Crosscoder said | January 2nd 2009 @ 6:07am | Report comment
MicaelC.
You can indeed single out Melbourne re the ordinary crowds for the ARC comp.Why?The other teams were involved in areas where union has a presence viz a viz a S14 club or close to a strong union area,and ignored it due to saturation.
It has been continuously rammed down my throat, due to the large number of Nzedders in Melbourne and the fact union has been in private schools for eons there,there is a strong following ,that will support the game in any comp.The ARU certainly believed so.You know the governing body of the code.They openly predicted 5,000 min crowd average.You should have nudged the ARU on your prediction of a disaster.
Wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact,many Victorians have a love /hate relationship with NSW,and will support any team that play it.The game was after all televised live in the Northern states.Wait,the large numbers of Vics watching it on TV must have been Nzedders or Norhtheners on holidays in Victoria.Who is buying there merchandise of course all ex Nzedders and Qlders.
Of course your argument can be used for the Swans having mainly ex-pat Vic/Sa/WA support in Sydney .You seem too find it difficult to accept that there is in fact grassroots growth of support within victoria ,for the Storm,just as there is for the Swans in NSW.
With petrol prices the way they were,suggest any Qlders or NSWelshmen would have headed to the Snowy Mtns not Vic.
Oh of course its ex Nzedders(who all love union) or Qlders or anyone but a home grown Vic.
We can assume from your argument also,that the new companies wanting to take up boxes in the new stadium for the Storm,are all ex NSW/Qld/NZedders.We can assume the extra 24 teams were all Nzedders or exPats.
Sir Wally Waldron has openly stated the club is missing out on additional financial(box support) and fans’ support due to Olympic Park.
I repeat the club has been in existence for 10 years from scratch ,in an ordinary stadium.Give it 25 years( like the Swans) in a decent stadium ,and we can debate the reality of the situation then.
Maybe one conversely could propose the Vics headed south when the Swans played a semi at Telstra stadium in 2008 in the west of Sydney,resulting in about 19,000 crowd.The snow must be better in the Vic alps,or did they head to the GC before schoolies committed their atrocities.
Crosscoder said | January 2nd 2009 @ 6:19am | Report comment
Sam
I am all for another Qld team,but ATM the CC have a top class stadium,huge junior numbers,a financially wealthy older supporter base from Nthn Sydney,and a growing number of companies establishing there.
Perth has 1.5m thereabouts,the 3rd largest junior base after NSW and Qld,and has already grassroots support,strong commercial base,and being in another state is actually making the game NATIONAL.
I love the Sunshine Coast,but ATM there is little real stadium infrastructure,not a huge commercial base,should IMO follow the CC and Perth.Come in with a 2nd NZ side (Wellington).
Should a Sydney club out of financiall necessity need to move I would accept that.However just relocating or cutting a present club,creates more problems than it solves.>I present the Bears as exhibit no1.
It took a lot of time and effort after a couple of earlier disasters,before the titans became the real deal.
Col said | January 2nd 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
Midfielder it seems the majority do want the Central Coast Bears next..I’d love to see the Western reds back as well, and also a new Adelaide franchise, or possibly an established Sydney team might be looking at S A for relocation in the future..you have to remember Adelaide did get OK crowds at Hindmarsh when they were playing, only after they were removed in 98 and a couple of exhibition matches played there in the early noughties the crowds were extrememly small, 5000 I think(still more then the Northern eagles got after the Bears were expelled from that J/V in 2001) Sunshine Coast also deserve a team, and isn’t Stockland Stadium due for an overhaul soon.?.A second Brisbane team, maybe the Redcliffe Dolphins are to be promoted as the 2 nd team, they made it clear they wanted to come into the NRL further down the track,possibly 2016, look at the response when Gold Coast were going to call themselves the Dolphins ,heck they even had merchandise made up(recall the same colours as Miami Dolphins)..Redcliffe threatened Legal action, and the name was changed to the Titans.My passion, I’m just one of many of Thousands who have the same feelings for this club, do you think I would have put 9 seasons into it ,if I didn’t think the Bears would eventually get reinstated,a lot of people love those big Red and Black grizzlies, I don’t agree on a second New Zealand team,just yet, I think work your own backyard get that right before you look over seas again, same as PNG. 18 clubs are now playing in the Junior reps for next year(18s and 16s),I wonder how long it will be before Brisbane and N Qld also begin fielding teams in this comp.These 2 competitions could be the next big thing after the Toyota cup, the NRL might want to stitch up.worth watching..Yes bring back the Bears ,what better way then in our 10th season out of the comptition that the Bears are invited back in and on the Central Coast..to finally fulfil their dreams they started out all those years ago..it would be a win win for everyone including great publicity for the NRL a feel good story…
Col said | January 2nd 2009 @ 7:56am | Report comment
Whoops I meant this year the juniors have 18 teams..we’re in 09 now aren’t we…
Col said | January 2nd 2009 @ 9:28am | Report comment
Just another thing on passion, why wouldn’t the NRL want to harness this,I haven’t bought NRL merchandise in 9 seasons, for myself or family, but I have bought much Bears merchandise, from the 1st division of 2000 /2001 , Premier League to 2007 and now NSW state cup.I haven’t been to NRL games, but I have been to many Bears games over the past 9 seasons..as a few articles can attest over the years (-: so why wouldn’t the NRL want this dedication.. you see I’m just one supporter but what about the others who have not been to games since the Bears were ousted, that means no merchandise, no ticket sales, from them and their families..I have heard the stats that 40 000 left the game when the Bears were removed, where the stats come from I don’t know, whether it was through sales of tickets and mechandise i’m not sure but that is what I heard.You see it’s a generational thing even david Gallop said that recently, Bears supporters have been around for 4 generations, lets say, and every weekend the family would trot down to the game to see the Shoreman/Bears run around..thats a huge following over the years..Now fast forward to 1999..If a parent was always a staunch Bears supporter since they were kids, and use to go to all the games, with their children then over night they took that away,I’m sure those parents who lost their club, wouldn’t be out buying merchandise again, they would probably be going to other sports and buying their merchandise..I know a lot of Bears supporters went to the Swans and remain there today..they didn’t go off and follow another team/club as was predicted, and I’m sure the ones who did, still miss that passion that they grew up with with their club the Bears.as I said in my first post, Lets right the wrong, lets finally get the Bears back, and then proceed with the other areas..thats good business sense…don’t you think…
ros said | January 2nd 2009 @ 10:02am | Report comment
i also have followed the mighty bears for over 40 years as did my father and grandparents, aunties and uncles once a bears supporter you are always a bears supporter as david gallop said recently on 2ue over 40,000 fans on the north shore have been lost to rugby league since the north sydney bears were put out of the nrl. so stop the rot nrl fix our game please bring back the bears on the central coast for 2011
Midfielder said | January 2nd 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
Ros
I feel for you but your Bears never won a grand final and by a number of bad management decisions they went broke … why did they leave NSO before BT was finished … Aside from Ken Irvine they produced teams with big slow forwards never an exciting team to watch … there little brother Manly got better crowds and played an attacking open game .
IMO there were and still are way to many Sydney teams ..what good is it to the people of the CC to be associated with a failed inner city Sydney team anyway. So if the CC get in its by themselves not because of something I am not sure what but some past failed management decision that has been turned into some kind of fable of mis trust and back room deals that is painted as many conspireing to rid the world of the free flowing attacking backlines of the mighty Flo and mates.
ros said | January 2nd 2009 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
the bears were very successful in the 90’s and as for leaving north sydney oval before gosford was ready that was the director fault as they did not book north sydney oval for the 1999 season they assumed the stadium would have been completed on time this proved to be a very costly mistake but the bears were not broke if they had of been aloud to play in the 2000 season they would have been able to trade out but by bring in the administrators this hand the bears and our stadium to manly. the rest is history
Col said | January 2nd 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
So on your analysis Midfielder you then assume that Cronulla should be out because they haven’t won a GF, the record books will also show the Bears premiership wins of 1921 and 1922,thats what it says in the record books and that is what the NRL have always promoted…does that mean you would remove Souths, Balmain and Roosters and Newtowns premierships between 1908 and 1920, I’m sure those clubs would be happy to hear that…Penrith have also only won 2 as have Newcastle, and so have Melbourne same as the Bears, Warriors haven’t won any ,the same as NQld should they also be ousted…You obviously slept through the 90s MF, the Bears were the highest rating Sydney team..playing in 6 out of 9 finals series, 4 of them preliminary….. Yes I agree management problems at the Bears at the time impacted on us, forcing us into administration there is no denying this..you ask me why it wasn’t in writing that the Bears should be allowed to play at NSO until Gosford was finished which was opening round, 2000…we would all like to know that answer…But a few facts also, North Sydney Bears do have the playing rights to the Gosford stadium for 21 years, John Singleton also holds 80% rights to the stadium and the NS Bears 20%, we did own 100 % until the administrator was bought in…The Bears got into financial difficulty because of their move to Gosford….Oh here I go, this is why I stayed off Forums for so many years….look we have been over this time and time again, I could spend another 2 hours on this..I have news paper clippins and emails in boxes from the past 10 seasons..The Central Coast was considered a regional area,that was part of the 2000 criteria..there is no denying that..The Bears were always considered safe as houses if they had of reloacted to Gosford..I recall in the press at the time, that Manly and Roosters were seriously considering merging as the Eastern Eagles as both clubs were desperate …you have to know the pysche of the Bears club to know why we follow them so much.. to an outsider you wouldn’t understand, but Bears people know why they follow this great club..back in the early 90s when David Hill was President of the Bears he put forward the idea of going to Gosford, it was in our plans.. no one elses… continuing on, Bears have representatives on the CC Stadium board, it was originally 3 if I recall..so are you also saying there are to many teams in Melbourne, they seem to survive OK, Melbourne demons and Bulldogs still get a lot of support and their heritage is protected by the AFL..You should read Andrew Moores superb book , “The Mighty Bears, a social history of North sydney rugby League”it will give you a more understanding of this club…and thats all I wish to say on the subject otherwise we will get bogged down here, and our goal is to get back into the NRL and on the Central Coast, for 2011…and that is what we are working towards now…we have new administration at Norths whose whole goal is to get back into the NRL and play out of Gosford as the Central Coast Bears..It’s the Bears who are putting up the bid, not WA, Not Sunshine coast, not wellington, not adelaide, but the North sydney rugby league football club…whether we are successful remains to be seen but we are giving it a fair shake…cheers to you…and go those Bears.
Magpies said | January 2nd 2009 @ 10:16pm | Report comment
A Central Coast team needs to be added and added asap, North Sydney had horrible luck when they initially made the move to the Central coast, not only did the roof of the stadium hold things up but the horrible weather that season delayed things even further and in the end North Sydney just went broke, they had no option but to merge with Manly Warringah but when the team was announced as the Northern Eagles and lined out in mainly maroon and white it left everybody with a very sour taste to a very one sided partnership. Rugby Union have also tried with their Central Coast Waves and Central Coast Rays teams over the years, I loved the concept of the Rays, great name, great playing strip but not one local in the squad?, not one and after playing and winning the Australian championships in front of on average 2000 supporters each game were scrapped after just one season.
I know many people who would jump at the chance of getting behind and supporting the Central Coast Bears especially with Dave Fairleigh(Ourimbah junior) as Coach and Greg Florimo(North Sydney legend and Dooralong resident in charge).
My son started his league juniors at the Entrance, in the U/9’s he and a team of friends ventured down to join the North Sydney competition in 2005 where they went through that competition undefeated with the Berowra Wallabies club defeating Asquith in the Grand Final while also winning the Ken Irvine shield against Manly side Mona Vale that season, the following year 2006 U/10’s they returned to the coast with the Ourimbah side and were named co-premiers with Kincumber after drawing the Grand Final 0-0 having gone through that season undefeated also, in 2007 U/11’s Kincumber defeated the boys 18-6 in the decider and last season 2008 U/12’s Ourimbah and Kincumber clashed again drawing 0-0 once more, every pre-season Ourimbah and Berowra hold annual trials every season because of the very close ties between the two clubs, the Starr brothers etc, etc, because of bloody cricket though most of the grounds are unavailable for trial matches until early April.
A Central Coast Bears team is a must, look at school football, in the Public System you have Sydney North which mainly consists of players from the Central Coast, North Sydney, Manly and Ryde areas coming together, in the Catholic system you have Broken Bay which also consists the Central Coast, Nth Sydney and Manly areas.
Imagine the junior base the Central Coast Bears would draw from; the Entrance Tigers, Wyong Kangaroos, Ourimbah Magpies, Terrigal Sharks, Berowra Wallabies, Kincumber Colts, Asquith Magpies, Woy Woy Roosters, Hills Hawks, Umina Bunnies, Pennant Hills Stags, Erina Eagles, Berkeley Vale Panthers, Nth Lakes Warriors, Toukley Hawks, Central Wyong Razorbacks, Budgewoi Bulldogs, Gosford Storm, Bluehaven Raiders, Nth Sydney Brothers/Willoughby and even St Edwards.
I know the Melbourne Storm have their headquarters operating out at Mt Penang but even they have said that they will never relocate from Melbourne, currently they are developing talent from our vast resources on the Central Coast (my son is in the local rep squad) and in return offer our juniors the opportunity to make the NRL.
While I am a staunch League supporter I have been highly impressed with what the Central Coast Mariners have achieved, their promoting their games at local schools(every week), appearing at local soccer grounds to help train the juniors, their planned headquarters in Tuggerah business park, their Lightning and Thunder junior squads, they are just leaving no stone unturned and their supporter base is growing every season, just the other night “New Years Eve” they had over 16,000 at Blue Tongue Stadium, League must act and act now, bring on 2011 or 2012, we need a Central Coast side and we need one now.
Col said | January 3rd 2009 @ 6:47am | Report comment
A very good posting.. and just remember the The Public Schools Sports association which Sydney Norths is apart of as you correctly put it consists of Central Coast,North sydney,Manly and Ryde….that is abig area.. and their playing colours are and always have been RED and BLACK…
Col said | January 3rd 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
It can be done, Gold Coast united the new A League club, for the 2009/10 season will play out of Skilled stadium, the Titans home ground at Robina..The Central Coast Bears will also be able to play at CC stadium in conjunction with the Central Coast Mariners at Gosford…I also just wanted to add North sydney leagues club did pay for the annual unpkeep of Gosford stadium to the tune of 300,000 a year.With CEO Hans Suleman at the Norths Leagues club now he fully supports the Bears.and their bid..The Norths Leagues club also owns the Tweed heads Sea Gulls Leagues club, which they bought back in the mid 90s…I also believe Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Storm will also be playing at their new stadium, side by side soon.As the Newcastle jets and Knights do…Broncos and Roar,Roosters and Sydney FC….
Magpies said | January 3rd 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Central Coast Rugby League boss Scott Wyatt though backing his support of the Melbourne Storms imput on the Coast is also in favour of the Bears bid, back in 1981 the Central Coast were offered admission into the NSWRL only to knock it back as they realised they weren’t ready and Canberra snapped up this position.
Col said | January 3rd 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
The more people that get on board from both areas,and come out publicly supporting, can only help the Central Coast Bears bid..a united front will pull this off,I’m sure the sponsors will also follow, from both these areas, the North shore and the CC business’….keep those members coming on .www.redandblackarmy.com.au
Midfielder said | January 4th 2009 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
I cannot just let many of these comments go by.
In three areas:
First North’s where a very poorly run football team, it was not just one mistake over leaving NSO before having an operating stadium ready for use. North’s had very poor juniors which makes me laugh when I read how these juniors who were not there when you where at NSO are going to be there when you are at the CC. The pitch at NSO was the worst in Sydney concrete park shared with a local cricket team but all the ground decisions went with a local cricket team who had zero watching up against a national football team. North’s spent nothing on NSO and even the Bob stand was taken from the SCG.
North’s on the edge of the Sydney CBD, next to the North Sydney CBD very close to St Lennoards near the North Ryde Industrial area and where was the big sponsor … Just a quick aside at this point across the road from NSO is North Sydney Boys high School arguably the countries best boys high school, it is a selective high school with over 2, 000 students, most years ranking in the top ten academic schools in the state, often in the top five schools in the state. Many of the nation’s leading people go there … so little RL at the school a lot of union, football… but little league … good management my arse the old boy’s network at North Sydney Boys could have paid and meet any problems North’s had certainly found them sponsors. AND it was just across the road.
North’s poorly run football team was well supported by North’s leagues a successful leagues club, but don’t tell me North’s were anything other than an East’s a team that was carried by its leagues club with few juniors often inept club management who made so many mistakes that in the end the leagues club could not bail North’s out.
Second an ethical thing and I am not a religious person nor a wowser but North Sydney & thank you for informing me but also Seagulls at the Tweed make most of their money based on pokies and I have a problem with an organisation funded mainly on gambling and pokie money.
Also if you go back and look at the charter of the original Leagues clubs you will find it is to develop RL in the local areas and to do good in the local community…. So you take pokie money and then spend the profit outside the local area .. that is not in the spirit of how clubs are to operate.
Finally and my original point, having a team in the CC will add nothing from a business perspective to RL moving forward other than make a few people who cannot see the faults of their football’s club inept management and my guess is they number not that many.
Sorry if I come across blunt but RL needs to make decisions that will carry it forward not look back at a failed past administration with rose tinted glasses. Decisions need to be made based on analysis, research and to expand the game, not put and extra team in an already crowed and congested geographical region between Sydney & Newcastle…
Col said | January 4th 2009 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
There’s no denying about the club and what happened in the 90s, it has all been well documented, but now i’m looking towards the future, and I can see there are new guys in at Norths who are at least trying something.ie (The Bring Back the Bears committee).and yes I saw what happened at first hand, I was a member of ‘Save The Bears’, so you don’t have to point this out to me..But I can sit here and do nothing or I can get out and help get the Bears back, and thats what I intend to do.. CC first in, and either Perth or Sunshine Coast after that..it’ll be who ever can lay their hands on the 15 mil.You mention North Sydney Boys school.. North Sydney Marist is across the road from Bear Park, and it bred some pretty good footballers…pretty sure Flo a Marist boy, and up until the more present times, boys like Mitch Pearce, Liam foran, and his younger brother Keiran,all now with NRL contracts, these were boys who come through the system at Norths, oh there are others who have come through over the past 9 seasons, and when I get a chance I’ll list them for you, but boys who have gone onto careers in football, either in front or behind the scenes, as trainers. coaches and the likes…Maybe if Norths Sydney Bears had of been originally located at Hornsby where the demographics are different it might have been a different story, but North Sydney in the early part of the Century was a working class suburb, and up until the mid 20s the Bears were a formidable force.. first up, houses were knocked down to make way for the sydney harbour Bridge, this split the community…The Bears bounced back in the late 30s and were becoming a powerhouse in the 40s, ie 43 Grandfinal….45 they were a very strong club, then in 46 Manly wanted to start up in the 47 season, Norths let them go, and in doing so, took half of the Bears team due to residency rules.. the players they took were to prove some of the best players in the game.. Norths again struggled to get back on it’s feet, where as Manly prospered with it’s new found team,Manly makes the ‘51 grandfinal, Norths don’t make a semifinal until 52…the 60s were good years for the Bears and once again were very competitive, 65 was a standout…but also in the 60s the warringah express way gets constructed and once again carves through North sydney, including their original League club, which got bulldozed in the process..that leads onto the 70s possibly our darkest decade, culminating in the last of our woodenspoons in the big league in ‘79(Hmm last year St george won it also) bring on ‘82 made the finals, stronger through the late 80s, David Hill takes control and quickly turns the club around, our reserve grade win 3 out of 4 GRandfinals, and the Bears are strong again in the 90s,up until 95 rears it’s head and Super league is born. and all through this time Manly were picking off our players,kenny, john gray, Donnie McKinnon,Cliffy, the liist goes on..Thats abit of history in a nut shell…So what you are saying is that this huge geographical area, with a very large poulation shouldn’t have their own team to support at the Central Coast, well i’m sorry but I just can’t, and afraid I won’t agree with that…and I think the NRL can see the benefit of this area as well, otherwise they wouldn’t be trying so hard to get a Sydney team to relocate there…and every Sydney team has made it clear they are not going to relocate.even for 8 mil, which wouldn’t even last them for a season..(I think the AFL were offering almost 100 mil for the North melbourne Kangaroos to relocate to the Gold Coast)Also what you have to realise, if the Bears had of been allowed to get to Gosford as was promised to them, we wouldn’t be sitting here today, the Bears would have been playing at Gosford for the past 9 seasons, due to bad planning for the ‘99 season..but a lot of those guys are gone now, some are still over at Manly and they are quite welcome to them..but I’m not going to give up on the club,, you mention our Juniors, well as I have mentioned the Bears junior clubs did pretty well this year in the Manly comp, and getting stronger each year ,winning a few Grandfinals including the big one..The last time our Jersey flegg won the GF was in ‘98.. but our flegg is no more, as the toyota Cup put pay to that…Sorry but you can’t pursuade me that the Central Coast Bears is not the best option for the Next NRL licence and I really think that you are in the minority, but thats you perogative… Cheers.Col
The Link said | January 5th 2009 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
Guys, enjoyed the comments, agree that the Bears coming in is a great idea on the Central Coast.
I think it’ll take a Sydney Club failing for it to happen short term.
Re economics, given the CC is growing strongly, then surely population growth equals TV ratings growth for the region.
Also the abiility for the CC to support a team via local sponsorship grows year by year.
Perhaps most importantly bringing the Bears in gives League back much of its soul.
Good luck to Greg Florimo and the club.
Col said | January 6th 2009 @ 8:10am | Report comment
you see that old residency rule that was once in effect ie. meaning you had to live in the area to play in the area..thats why Frank Hyde played for the Bears his family moved from Balmain area to the North Shore area.(Lane Cove I believe)..it was enforced to the letter, my own father-in-law who played for Roosters in the 40s and 50s found out the hard way, he found out he was living in Souths district, he was on the cusp, after playing a number of years with the Roosters, he was told he had to sit the whole season out in ‘51 (made the headlines too)..before he played a season with the Bunnies.in ‘53.then they let him go back to Easts in the mid 50s,..We still have the actual letter from Harold Mathews. an official at the time with the NSW RL. when Manly and Norths split a large proportion of those players were from the Manly district, and when the new boundaries were written up our Boundaries stopped at the Spit Bridge and theirs began, and an amazing rivalry was born which still exist to this day..But mind you we did field some good players in the ’50s, Peter Diversi (Damn Manly took him too), Norm Strong,John Olive,Jimmy Gillon ,half back,( even Dally M said he was the best half he had ever seen) Col Lay,and centre George Martin to name just a few…and what about the Bears players in the rugby league hall of fame, Duncan Thompson,Brian Carlson oh and their are others, also Chris McKivat made it the Glebe player who went on to Coach the Bears to their 2 Premiership victories in ‘21 and ‘22,If North Sydney have one fault it was they were too nice..Norths quite happily signed the document for Manly to become an entity on their own, if I recall, they actually needed North Sydneys approval to become a club on their own.The Bears could of stopped it but didn’t,.IWhen the Bears get reborn after 10 seasons out ,I think you will see a different Bears outfit ,it started in the 90s.if we had of got to the CC then who knows what would of happened..anway.Manly took the colours of Freshwater SLSC..Maroon and white, and called themselves the Sea gulls…Now this cutting Manly free, left the poor old Bears with the next 3 wooden spoons, until they bounced back in the 50s, with players of the calibre of Bobby Sullivan, 5/8 and Keith Middleton, Centre (Both Kangaroos), to say the Bears produced not many players of quality does grate on me some what.We had many State representatives for both states, we had a large number of Kangaroos players, the first Kangaroos Captain of 1908 was a Bears player in Dinny Lutge, and a number of Bears /Shoreman players did go on that Kangaroo tour…as I have said the mighty Bears have a very long and very proud history..and to be reinvented as the Central Coast Bears for the next 100 years of rugby League and beyond can only benefit everyone.Yes Bring Back the Bears it’s way overdue NRL. oh and just one more slice of History the Bears were the first club regisitered the first club to pay their fees to the NSWRL, Souths were the second one, Newtown or Glebe can fight it out who was the first club formed but the Bears were registered first..so why wouldn’t you bring something like the Bears back into the competition….and thats the short version history lesson on the Bears….As I said you have to know the history of the Bears to have any ideas about this 100 year old club…
Midfielder said | January 6th 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
Very interesting from the NRL media pages of the Terror Graph … it is a rusted on RL supporter living on the CC.
Col be interested in your comments regarding this article.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap…016307,00.html
Expert Opinion
Article from:
The Daily Telegraph
Don’t put the Bears in Gosford
By Nick Walshaw |
December 11, 2008 12:00am
EVEN poor ol’ Matt wants to get rid of his sock. Signed by Jason Taylor, it sits among a sorry eBay collection of Northern Eagles merchandise, memorabilia and musty used clothes.
There’s the team poster set for $3.99. A plush mascot for eight bucks. Two beanies, two caps and a range of other knick-knacks all waiting around like ugly callgirls on a rainy, Tuesday night.
And then there’s the sock.
Go on, have a look. It’ll still be there today. Tomorrow too. The one JT signed To Matt some six years ago now being offered up for $49. Good luck.
Because up on the Central Coast at least, the Northern Eagles remain a dirtier phrase than “Attention CityRail passengers …”
Here by Brisbane Water, the Beagles will always be a farce. A joke. Greatest con since The Crying Game. Because here was a club which sold itself as a Central Coast team. This despite working out of Manly, training out of Hornsby and wearing more colours than a Passion Pop hurl.
Like a pesky Avon lady, simply appearing every couple of months to ring your doorbell and take your cash. And now you Sydneysiders want to put this sick joke on us Coasties all over again. For almost a month now, talk has been building around a supposed push to move the North Sydney Bears up the F3 to Central Coast Stadium.
Suggesting that when NRL boss David Gallop again talks expansion – something he recently refused to do in the foreseeable future – it should be the Bears.
Put simply, shifting the Bears to Gosford would be a toxic dumping of Hazmat proportions. So bad, dreadlocked women would start chaining themselves to those Central Coast Stadium palm trees by their underarm hair.
Why? Because there is just no mystical love affair between the Bears and the Central Coast. Up here Norths are simply the bumbling mess who’ve won … NOTHING in 86 years. Who tried to come here – twice – and still botched it up.
So c’mon, why stop with the Bears, Sydney? Why not send us Parramatta Road traffic snarls. Or George Street glassings. Hell, maybe you could ship us that dodgy Leichhardt Oval toilet block with Corey Worthington inside.
Or how’s this for an idea? If the Central Coast truly deserves an NRL team, why not just give us one? Name, colours, drunk superstars, the lot.
Like when the Northern Spirit soccer club folded in 2004, coach Lawrie McKinna and nine of his players moving to the Central Coast for a new start. Moving with no money. No connections. Nothing.
“And if we’d stuck with a name like Northern Spirit,” says Central Mariners boss Lyle Gorman, “we’d still be struggling.”
Four years on and the Mariners now boast the support of Sheffield United owner Kevin McCabe, a database of 60,000 players and plans for a new $60million training complex at Tuggerah. Acting global, thinking local.
It’s why every Monday they’re still in schools. Every Tuesday conducting clinics at one of the Coast’s 22 clubs. So committed, the running joke suggests that if your school fete only attracts three people, you can be sure one of them is a Mariner.
This is about refusing to take your community for granted. Like McKinna hosting fan barbecues in his backyard or Gorman conducting studies into the disproportionate youth suicide rate. Why, when an alcohol company recently offered $1.3million as front-of-jersey sponsor, they said no.
Because take the tip, the Central Coast isn’t part of North Sydney. Ben Ikin never skated at Froggy’s. Gary Larson never ate Wombi Whoppers. And we’re pretty sure the late, great Ken Irvine never hurled a can of VB at Dieter Brummer inside Club Troppo.
Which isn’t to suggest Bears legend Greg Florimo shouldn’t continue his push to have an NRL team on the Coast. He should.
Get Singo involved. Appoint Dave Fairleigh as coach. Then rediscover that next wave of Mark O’Meleys, Matt Orfords and Ian Hendersons.
They should even buy Matt’s sock off eBay … keep it as a permanent reminder of what doesn’t work up here.
Billo said | January 6th 2009 @ 11:12pm | Report comment
I enjoyed watching the Bears play at North Sydney Oval, and would ideally like to see them return to the NRL at their old home ground.
If that isn’t possible I hope that the NRL will have the sense to realise that it needs to put right a terrible injustice that was inflicted on the Bears when they were kicked out of the competition. Ditching historic clubs is a crazy idea, and Rugby League has been paying for that decision ever since with the decline in interest in the game in North Sydney ever since that decision was made. The Central Coast needs a team, and the Bears need to come back into the comp, so the equation is very obvious.
On the subject of relocations more generally, and from Sydney in particular, can we stop being so dumb on this issue?
To take a football team away from its spiritual home is to alienate everyone it leaves behind, while opening doors for other codes to make their mark.
There’s a perfect example in Wales, where the Celtic Warriors rugby franchise in Bridgend was closed down, and the door opened for the Celtic Crusaders League club, which will play in Super League this year. Bridgend is now seen as more of a league than a rugby town. The same thing would happen in Sydney if any club were to be re-located.
The real problem in Sydney is the dumb administration of rugby league, and of its clubs. Until things improve on that front, we won’t see the true potential of the game being realised.
Magpies said | January 7th 2009 @ 4:21am | Report comment
Yeah, I read that article in the Telegraph and just shook my head, the guy who wrote that article clearly has no idea, sure he knows about wombi whoppers(but has he eaten two in a row), club Troppo and Froggys but who asked him to speak on behalf of us “LOCAL” Central Coast residents, maybe North Sydneys struggling background profile would ensure its survival on the Central Coast, the Northern Eagles is a very poor example to use, sure I went to a few home games but when a merger comes out with an Eagle for a emblem and maroon and white for its colours its not much of a partnership is it, especially when 90% of the Coast dislike Manly.
Maybe if they were called the Northern Bears and wore similar colours to that of the Burleigh Bears they might’ve had a chance, even if they were in maroon and white.
Trust me the Central Coast Bears will take off, get the players to the local junior games, local schools, local shopping centres, local beaches, hold coaching clinics, have special junior squads trained by the actual players etc, etc.
Col said | January 7th 2009 @ 6:07am | Report comment
Midfielder this has been well and truly taken care of, if you go to the article you will see all the responses given, the majority and overwhelming support form RL fans was for the CC Bears..(115 in a couple of days)the article come out 1 week after Phil Goulds page spread supporting the Central Coast Bears.. it seemed a tit for tat article and thats how we all saw it. If anyone can paste the 115 responses here I think you will all get a kick out of, strange because I also found an article for the CC Bears which Nick Walshaw wrote when trying for the 16th licence which it appeared he was supporting the concept of the CC Bears from 2004 that was in Big League if you want I can locate that one and put it up for you to puruse..cheers Col
Col said | January 7th 2009 @ 6:11am | Report comment
You wouldn’t happen to have the Phil Gould article aslo would you midfielder…to put up..
Col said | January 7th 2009 @ 8:46am | Report comment
OK after a bit pf digging I found the article..see I said I have 10 seasons of clippings, you would like this article Magpie, Ourimbah gets mentioned a bit, but just some snippets..I know it’s dated but the author had some good points.
Race for the 16th franchise:Don’t stuff us Around.
By Nick Walshaw- Rugby League Week.17.3.04.
…”in any discussion about the Central Coast team, the demise of the ill fated Northern Eagles is regurgitated,if they couldn’t succeed why will Singleton.? I’t’s simple really, the Northern Eagles didn’t represent the Coast yet operated out of Manly,their players lived in Sydney.The Team trained in Hornsby they played in Gosford once a month,this was a club, within the space of 2 years punted localheroes David fairleigh,and matt Orford,then asked their families and neighbours to come marching through the turnstyles.
“The People up here aren’t stupid” fires Gosford Councillor and passionate league man, Chris Holstein”They couldn’t identify with the NE nd it quickly became a case of hey don’t have a lend of us,your not ours”.
Singleton goes on to say”Every player the BEARS sign would require to live on the Coast and be employed by the local business’ if you don’t like the rules, don’t sign”.
and also adding ‘ the advertising guru is also confident local fans will except the Bears logo and Black and
Red playing strip, a throwback to the North Sydney Club which is part of Singletons consortium”.
Yes Nick I couldn’t agree more..I can put the whole article up but I think you get the gist…
Magpies said | January 7th 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
If you had to make an Central Coast side using Central Coast/Nth Sydney locals playing in the NRL or Super League at the moment you’d have 1).Brett Kearney(Cronulla Sharks formerly Kincumber, 2).Aiden Kirk(NZ Warriors formerly Ourimbah), 3).?, 4).?, 5).Akuila Uate(Newcastle Knights formerly Woy Woy), 6).Tim Moltzen(Wests Tigers formerly Terrigal), 7).Matt Orford(Manly Sea Eagles formerly Gosford), 13).Glenn Morrison(England formerly Terrigal), 12).Sinbad Kali(Melbourne Storm formerly Wyong), 11).Chris Heighington(Wests Tigers formerly Umina), 10).Mark O’Meley(Sydney Roosters formerly Nth Lakes), 9).Ian Henderson(NZ Warriors formerly Berkeley Vale), 8).Ryan O’Hara(Wests Tigers now England formerly the Entrance). reserves; 14).Ryan Tandy(Wests Tigers formerly Kincumber). I know there are alot of juniors running around in the Toyota Cup, I think Mitchell Pearce played for Asquith, who else do you know of who is playing in the NRL or English Super League who have come from either the Central Coast or North Sydney junior or senior competitions?
Bearhead said | January 7th 2009 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
NRL need to get to bite the bullet and end years of neglect to a well known rugby league nursery. The stadium is there, the support will be there, now it is time to see something happen.
Central Coast Bears – probably would sound alrgiht to me!
Midfielder said | January 7th 2009 @ 10:48pm | Report comment
Col
Good luck with you bid love the passion as I have said I actually think there are better ways to move RL forward than a CC team… but I am sure a RL team would be successful on the CC…just don’t bring the failed NS admin with them as I have said NS management IMO lead to their fall as much as anything.
ros said | January 8th 2009 @ 6:23am | Report comment
midfielder thank you for your support don’t worry the old administration is long gone from both the leagues club and the football club and the new administration is working together to gain entry into the nrl as the central coast bears. hell would freeze over before ray and co would be any where near our club again some of them our still down with manly and they are welcome too them.
Col said | January 8th 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Yes there have been some very bad decisions over the years the “White” jersey of Roy francis in 1970,hell employing R Francis from England huge blunder, in the early 90s the Bears were in great shape and the springboard to success was there:The decision to change the Bears jersey to prodominantly Black, from it’s traditional colours of Red with the black bar shoulders, went down with the supporters like a lead balloon.. for 2 seasons this jersey , struggled with no support until finally in’94 they bought the red back to the strip, and thats the jersey that remained until 2000, then we used the one we called the CC Bears strip for 2 seasons..Red and Black horizontal strips..(bears people don’t recognise the NE/Manly strip)Back in the 50s when Norths were looking to finance their Leagues club, two of the greats/ also President of the club took out another mortgage of their houses to help pay for it..would any one do that in the modern era?? it was because Akka and McKinnon loved this club..well as I said I really didn’t want to get bogged down with this.Yes we can point fingers, and we can blame people for what happened to our club, but now is the time to get back into the NRL, and we have to learn by our mistakes..If Gold Coast can do it after being out of the Comp. I’m sure the Bears can do it too.have you any idea how long we have been at this, July 1997,thats how determined we have been to get to the CC.Don’t you think the Bears at last deserve their chance.. and as I have said, with the passion of these people on this site, with the passion of the people who replied to our friend Mr Walshaw, why is this passion being left out of the game, wouldn’t the NRL prefer to have people like us on board, supporting the game instead of leaving us out completely..
Magpies said | January 8th 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
So does anybody know of any other Central Coast or North Sydney locals playing in either the NRL or English Super League?, any centres?, what did you guys think of the above team?, I wonder if the Central Coast Bears were successful in gaining admission into the NRL if Wyong would return to the Coast from the Newcastle competition?, already Ourimbah, Woy Woy, the Entrance and now Erina have returned to the local Coast competition after competing in the Jim Beam Cup because of the fluctuating costs to compete in that competition.
I must point out that I have never been a North Sydney supporter, when I was younger I followed the Bulldogs then in 1988 I switched alliances to the Newcastle Knight because they were the closest thing we had to an local side (yes I know the Bulldogs won the comp in “88″ rub it in), I nearly jumped ship again when it looked like the Bears were moving to the Coast but then it all fell through, though I attended a few Northern Eagles games I could never follow a side that had Geoff Toovey and Co in it, so I’ve remained a Newcastle supporter now for over 20 years.
Col said | January 8th 2009 @ 8:19pm | Report comment
Matt King can play Centre can’t he…no offence to Matty Orford, but i’d be looking at Mitch Pearce by the time the CC Bears start up in 2011…I remember Matty Captaining the Bears 1st division side in 2000.. playing at Grahame Pk(Bear Stadium)..as I mentioned Aaron Groom who is in the Bulldogs now, is a Berowra Junior..and the Foran brothers mentioned above were from the Asquith club.Liam is in the Warriors now..(sad news coming out of there with the clubs loss)..
Col said | January 8th 2009 @ 8:34pm | Report comment
Just an add on here watch 2 boys that come through the Premier league with the Bears over the past couple of seasons…the big forward Ryan (The Rhino) Verlinden picked up by Cronulla NRL and Greg Nichols Centre now picked up by Parra for this season…both very good players..
Col said | January 9th 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
story by Greg florimo in the North Shore times today, if you haven’t access to it, read it online..come on you Bears!!
Magpies said | January 9th 2009 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Hi Col, would you mind putting the article on here, I couldn’t find it anywhere?
Col said | January 10th 2009 @ 6:52am | Report comment
Sorry can’t, there’s a couple of good photos also.a packed North Sydney Oval hill against manly..just Google “North Shore Times” when the page comes up scroll down to “Browse entire paper” click there and it will get you in…I was seeing where The Gold Coast United soccer club are getting a lot of media coverage, but not much for the N Qld Fury..this is the problem with putting 2 clubs in at once, one will take away the coverage from the other.. The best idea for the NRL in my opinion is put the Central Coast Bears in for 2011 and then either, Western/Perth reds or Sunshine Coast for 2012..then both clubs will get the complete coverage they deserve, as Titans recieved.
Sam said | January 10th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Col
That is true to an extent. Although I think you will find the real test for a new club is when the 4th or 5th year comes around, and the feel good factor is gone. You see who the true loyal supporters are then. I think this will be the test with Gold Coast Titans, and is currently being tested with a-league clubs.
Saying that lucky they have a very nice recatngular stadium in the Gold Coast which will draw people to games.
Col said | January 10th 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
agree look at the Basketball,it’s a shambles at the moment,and it blasted onto the scene in such a big way..But with the Bears you would already have a huge supporter base who are just waiting to support their club once again..plus you would get a lot of new supporters that would begin following the Bears ie. Magpie and friends…so to put the Bears back into the comp and playing as the Central Coast Bears is a ‘no brainer’ in the words of J Singleton…I have also heard that Stockland Stadium on the Sunshine Coast is getting a huge overhaul.
Midfielder said | January 10th 2009 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Sam
I think a CC team will work in the long term … but I still say it is the wrong move and I know Col ( and good luck to him ) wants with a passion a CC team with a North’s link. But I very much doubt it will add much to the TV ratings or the spread of RL in a broader sense and accordingly for me the CC is to replace the next Sydney team to fall over but the next expansion team should be outside NSW.
Col said | January 10th 2009 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
Truth is I don’t think any Sydney teams are going to fall over..Put the Bears back in and correct a great wrong.(surely you are sick of hearing from us),.because you know we ain’t goin’ anywhere, and we are going to keep at it until we are back in..If we were going to go away,I think we would have done it by now…
Sam said | January 10th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Midfielder
I think that you are right in that a team in the CC will not discover any new kind of territory and rugby league will remain static to an extent (although they will eventually have a team). It will just consolidate what we already know. That many people like rugby league on the CC. I am one who does not think that Adelaide / Perth is the way to go. Cut a few teams in Sydney and replace with CC, Sunshine Coast and 2nd Brisbane.
Better though to have rectangular fields than oval grounds is my theory on it.
Col said | January 10th 2009 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
yes; CC is a heartland of RL, but how long do you think that will last if the CC don’t finally get their team, as each year passes, more codes are capitalising on the CC; and it’s vast resources of young talent are being picked up for other codes..as I mentioned in one of my earlier posts,the AFL have been having training camps with the youth and getting into the primary schools with gusto…David Gallop has already stated ;we have to go where our strengths are next and the CC is definitly Leagues strengths..he also said that the CC will be the next target..so i’m betting that the Bears on the CC will be the next team in before anyone else….
Sam said | January 10th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Col
I think the AFL is like a new toy that is coming to our primary schools. it’s a novelty. Some kids might pick it up, but most won’t . How can kids from Central Coast relate to AFL teams like Collingwood, Essendon etc anyway. Even the Swans are an Eastern Suburbs based outfit so there is not much correlation there. I think it is all a bit overhyped to be quite honest.
magpies said | January 10th 2009 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
Exactly right guys, AFL is a novelty up here on the Coast and will “NEVER EVER” take off up here, same with Rugby Union, sure its big in Terrigal and Avoca but when you play their really talented players with the talented league players in school league /union games, the skill level of the league boys is worlds apart.
The only threat to League on the Coast is soccer and while they have had a great head start on an NRL league side, League could easily catch up to them, bottom line, its cool to play league and soccer is only played by kids who are either really good at it or really suck at every other sport they play, sorry for being so blunt but I have a 13 year old and two 7 year olds and thats what I’ve witnessed, also in the early age groups alot of mothers are still worried about putting their babies into a contact sport such as league, soccer will always out number league in ages 5-10, its in the later age groups that league catches up.
Sam said | January 10th 2009 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
Magpies
I live in Western Sydney and the way I see it is that football (soccer) will always have the numbers, while rugby league will always be more entrenced in the general culture. I believe what your saying has some degree of truth to it, although I think it is a line which is commonly used as it has some kind of an effect.
I don’t think league catches up so much as to people just give up playing sport all together as they get in their mid to late teens. Personally I would never play league, but I don’t mind watching it. That is the way I see it.
Midfielder said | January 12th 2009 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
Col & Steve
My last post on this thread so I don’t keep going around in circles.
Col .. you argument that NS deserve a NRL place on the CC because of past injustices I think is flawed as I have said it was much more to do with poor administration propped up by a wealthy leagues club… moreover you still have not convinced me of the revenue the CC team will bring to RL pertaining to TV ratings … extra media in new markets, and increased sponsorship of RL.
My reading is a CC team will do well get a respectable crowd of around 14 to 16 thousand. The cost will be in sharing out of TV revenue, the CC team will take it’s share and add little to the general RL revenue …. Also the RLWC was an outstanding success and showed to me anyway the way forward for RL is outside NSW. TBH a Perth team makes heaps of sense to me, share ground cost with RU & Football, expand the game draw on RU supporters and cross code football supporters, increase TV rating in an expanding state with plenty of NSW & Qld expats.
I guess my point is I know as your last post said … WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY.. but do you deserve it and is it the best move for RL, given resources are / will continue to be scarce.
Steve do you have any thoughts on the TV ratings and scarce resources things I speak of.
Col said | January 13th 2009 @ 5:47am | Report comment
Central Coast Bears 2011 and Western /Perth Reds or Sunshine Coast 2012…sounds great to me..Even Kimmorley said last night on 2UE, “maybe this is the way to go, 17, 18 why not 20 teams,But the Central Coast should be the next club in….”
1) Central Coast Bears
2) Western Reds.
3) Sunshine Coast ?
4) Redcliffe Dolphins (promoted to the NRL as the 2nd Brisbane team)
Col said | January 13th 2009 @ 6:09am | Report comment
also it was bought up last night on 2 ue. once again..should the Bulldogs play half their games at Gosford and half at Homebush.I wonder what the residents think of that??. Kimmorley said “this is why the NE didn’t work (he should know he was apart of it he’s now a bulldog.). he said ‘you have to play all games at Gosford, as the Central Coast team.”.The Bears will be a fully Central Coast Club…aren’t Bulldogs also playing some games in Adelaide, I also heard that Cronulla are committed to Adelaide with games there over the next 3 seasons…
Col said | January 13th 2009 @ 6:10am | Report comment
So all I can say is go those Mighty Red and Black Central Coast Bears….. just get to it NRL because we can’t wait…
magpies said | January 13th 2009 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Western/Perth Reds been there, done that, nobody wants to sign with a side on the other side of Australia, airline costs etc drove the original Western Reds into the ground.
The Bulldogs up here on the Central Coast, “NO THANK YOU”, they were down at Shelly Beach(near Bateau Bay/the Entrance) a few weeks ago on a Sunday when my childrens nippers was on, and they were lucky to attract more than 4 people to watch them train/muck around, the beach was full with young children, nobody cared, if it was the Melbourne Storm or anybody else I’m sure it would’ve been different, and they had all of their new signing there also Kimmorley, Ennis, Hannant etc.
I find the team with the biggest following on the Coast is the Tigers, they have a huge fan base up here, everybody up here hates the Bulldogs and their nutbag supporters, leave them at Belmore or where ever they play these days.
Midfielder said | January 13th 2009 @ 11:34pm | Report comment
Col
You keep the same arguement up all thetime … the bears because the beras, because the bears, because the bears, because the bears, because the bears, because the bears…like the song More beer , because, more beer because more berr, because more beer.
Show me the money the extra TV ratings not just a bunch of old norths … what about me it isin’t fair all that love and I want my share talk … the real stuff as for 2UE … spare me days they should change the name of their sports show to RL tonight .. give us a break and come up with more than solgans.
magpies said | January 14th 2009 @ 4:03am | Report comment
Also don’t forget NBN would probably televise every Central Coast Bears game like they use to when they were a Newcastle station with the Knights, yes the Coast does have their own television station.
Col said | January 14th 2009 @ 6:15am | Report comment
we now have Central Coast Bears supporter stickers available..I’m assuming we won’t have you on our mailing list midfielder..
Go the Bears..
Col said | January 14th 2009 @ 7:17am | Report comment
you keep saying it’s just the Central Coast, MF we are looking at 2 very large areas including the North shore, this is the area marketed and this will also include an increase in pay tv to both areas,and also ratings for free to air games would also improve with the Bears on friday night footy as proven back in the 90s,the supporter base is there, it’s already an established market, so tell me, you are pretty good with your stats,whats the combined population, not only the 306,000 of the CC.but the North shore inclusive??. you can not convince me that the Central Coast Bears is not the best option for the next NRL licence…I don’t have pay tv.never have ,solely because the Bears aren’t in the comp..and I know many that don’t, even around my area,people don’t want it,the Bears issue grates on many people to this day believe me…If we were reinstated Merchandise sales would be up,as proved in the centenery year,it could only benfit the game having us there..it wouldn’t be that much of a financial drain having us on the CC,as of it’s vicinity to the Sydney region travel wise..it would be cheaper then flying to SC or WA, or even NZ for that matter..and remember it’s not one team and staff now that travel but 2 including the Toyota Cup players…The Bears business plan is moving along very nicely…The NRL have invited us back and want to see it again in a few months time when it’s completed..it appears you may be more anti Bears then anti CC..??
Col said | January 14th 2009 @ 7:55am | Report comment
OK I’ll help you out here..predicted central Coast Bears market.
population.
Gosford = 163.469
Wyong = 144.297
Hornsby =155.971
Kuringai = 108.764
L.North Sh= 250.000
well that gives me a total of = 822.501 considering the whole population of Sydney is what ?4 million..thats almost a quarter.and you tell me the Central Coast Bears would not be a huge success…
Col said | January 14th 2009 @ 8:18am | Report comment
822.501 population, without a rugby league team to represent them in the heart of rugby league territory…??..I am not denying Perth should have a team, what I’m saying is that the CC /NS should be the first priority….CC Bears 2011 ;Reds or Sunshine Coast 2012..
Col said | January 14th 2009 @ 9:37am | Report comment
whilst shopping at Tuggerah westfields yesterday, wearing my 2008 Bears jersey as one does , I was stopped by a number of Central Coast couples who wanted to know where to get one, and said how they were always Bears supporters until they were removed from the Comp…” the Bears won’t work on the Central Coast”.?? yeah right! well as Steve said in his article, ‘reality exists outside cyberspace.’..and in saying that I would like to say this has been quite fun after 8 years of absents from forums, but unlike MF my time has come.. remember keep the faith and continue to help get those Bears back hit the websites and other forums..and I’ll be working in reality time to help get them back as we have for the past 9 seasons…..see you on the Central Coast , for 2011… go you Bears, you Bears, you Bears, you Bears…
magpies said | January 14th 2009 @ 3:59pm | Report comment
Thanx Col for all of your knowledge and information, its good to look at comments from someone who knows what they are talking about, I’ve spoken to quiete a few people about the Bears and they just shake their heads and say that it will never happen.
I really hope that Greg Florimo and the Red @ Black army silence these people, I hope Central Coast officials like Scott Wyatt, Geoff Todd, Geoff Walker and Co get behind the Bears official bid.
The Coast needs a team of its own and the sooner the “BETTER”.
Midfielder said | January 14th 2009 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
Col
I never once said a CC RL team would not be a success in fact I have always said it would suceed… I said for the greater good of RL the next team should be outside NSW.
I leave my question show me the extra TV ratings .. sponsorship .. spread of RL a CC team would bring RL… mate I am not anti a CC RL team … just believe for RL’s long term future it needs to spread beyond around Sydney.
BTW Col of those 822,251 people how many more will watch RL on TV because of a CC coast team…
Magpies said | January 14th 2009 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Midfielder,
you would be surprised how many people will go out and support and watch the Central Coast side, if the Bears work with all the local junior clubs and schools Blue Tongue Stadium will be packed to the rafters.
I agree that there are too many clubs around Sydney and oneday the powers that be will have to make the tough decisions based on that fact but ignoring a Central Coast side to develop sides outside of NSW has been doomed to failure in the past.
the South Qld Crushers, Western Reds, Adelaide Rams have all failed in the past.
Midfielder said | January 14th 2009 @ 7:37pm | Report comment
Map
If you read my posts I said between 14 to 16 thousand will come to BT to watch a CC team.
My last post says a CC team will suceed what more can I say.
My question is this …. and remember I am saying a CC team will do well …. here we go … what does a CC team bring to the greater good of RL … how many of the 822 thousand Col speaks of are not watching RL on TV now will because there is a CC team? ? ?
What national sponsors are a CC team going to bring ….. look I love the passion but for the greater good of RL the next team or two teams needs to be outside NSW… I am not anti a CC team or think it will fail … its just not needed or will bring very little to the next TV deal and I cannot see new sponsors crawling over each other to get on board because of a CC team.
Map … show me the money ,,,, show me the greater good in having another team in NSW and close to Sydney ???
magpies said | January 18th 2009 @ 8:02pm | Report comment
Being a local and vocal Central Coast fan, its not what the Bears will bring in terms of TV deals its what they will bring to the local community, we all know television has stagnated Rugby League and the powers that be in league cannot even scratch their behinds unless they check it first with channel Nine and Co.
So do you bring in a team just because they will raise television revenue as an outer NSW team, no team outside of NSW would fare better than the Central Coast Bears in the greater scheme of things.
Midfielder said | January 18th 2009 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
Mag
I disagree other teams will be successful as well…further revenue is important and expanding RL is important … read all my posts every post I have said CC would be a successful team…
My question is simple why expand around Sydney where you have a lot of teams already… For the greater good new teams should be outside NSW … failed Sydney teams when they fail should loose their license and CC get it.. both Souths and C; bury are well on the way IMO.
Marty said | January 19th 2009 @ 7:56am | Report comment
Once and for all.
They should be next cab of the rank.
Gallop has acknowleged over 40,000 fans lost to league on the North Shore alone.
Central Coast RL has approx 20 teams at senior level. Mariners are gaining in popularity.
The stadium is there. You have a ready made supporter base and there will be an increase in TV revenue.
Souths aint going anywhere. The don’t want to go the the CC, The Bears do.
It has to be the next team. It makes sense.
If you try and reduce it to a “should be outside NSW” argument just for the sake of it not being in NSW it doesn’t make sense.
I would imagine hearing that from a bean counter at NEWS.. Look where that got us.
Why cut off your nose to spite your face.
There is an oppurtunity here to embrace an enourmous market, so what if it is not outside NSW ?
This is expansion and it will increase revenue. This is as important a market as anywhere.
Add to that the resurrection of a foundation club and the general feel good factor about it, it should really be a case of just waiting for the green light.
magpies said | January 19th 2009 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
Marty, I couldn’t agree more.
What a massive area to cover from Milsons Point to Lake Munmorah, its a huge market for the Central Coast Bears, I’ve already listed all the junior clubs that will provide future players in an above post, lets face it, league isn’t that popular outside of NSW, QLD and NT, AFL has the votes in VIC, WA and SA, ACT is a shared market, Union rules NZ.
Harry said | January 19th 2009 @ 8:00pm | Report comment
What a great debate, lots of thought , passion and generally good ideas.
After reading all these emails one must think what is going to sustain the game is junior numbers, identifying with distinct geographic regions, market penetration vs competition and using TV in a unique way that distinguishes rugby league from other codes.
Clearly Bears should be in the competition, Easts should relocate as 2nd team in Brisbane and call them the East Coast Roosters, Sharks to be relocated to Perth Team, West Tigers to be playing out of Campbeltown for 90% of home games. Melbourne stay and no 2nd NZ team.
Teams whose junior bases are most under attack is Easts, Sharks and the western suburbs. Such teams generally have low attendances even if they are going well. The TV programming would provide excellent coverage..therefore more money for NRL.
By the way an independent commission would not hurt either!!
Midfielder said | January 19th 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
Marty & Harry
The 40, 000 lost from I assume North Sydney are going to come back .. why .. because you will play on the CC … I see your logic.
Harry why should the Bears be in the comp they are a failed adm who where propped up by a leagues club…
Look at Perth you already have a large local comp, a S14 team with over 23, 000 supporters who only get to see rugby about five times a year, access to a great stadium and many cross code football supporters. Assume 15% of the S14 crowd and 10% of the football crosscoders and you already have over a 9, 000 crowd add on RL support and you have a 14, 000 at least crowd, plus increased revenue by showing RL in WA and sponsors looking for a more national spread…
Perth crowds IMO will equal CC crowds … a Perth team will increase the local comp which is already healthy and as I understand it is greater in number than the CC … extra TV revenue and more sponsorship for RL…. there is no real argument … add heaps of NSW & QLD expats in Perth no way the CC team should be in before a Perth team.
So why should CC be there … not because a failed adm has managed to con everyone into thinking they where somehow robbed or stabbed in the back … when they choose not to go back to NSO. … Maybe it is a few zealots determined to keep something that died … why not Newtown, why not Sydney University.
Marty said | January 20th 2009 @ 7:14am | Report comment
FYI the Bears members voted in favour of moving to the Central Coast, not with a gun at their head and not with 8m on offer.
So we wanted to see a CC Bears. And yes support them.
if only a 1/4 com back then that is half the stadium full from the North Shore alone, along with Bears fans on the coast and other new fans for a CC team imagine the crowds, it is easy to see consistent sellouts.
Don’t forget the Bears are stil playing in the premier league.
OK, lets boot out all the sides who would have gone broke during Super League and since then.
That leaves Brisbane in a one team comp more or less.
Lets boot Melbourne who are kept on lfe support through NEWS funding and also Warriors who needed a handout in the last few years.
Don’t single the Bears out, they were stabbed in the back after being promised exclusion from the criteria based on Gosford being classed regional, and then NEWS moved the goal posts and they got booted.
Syd Uni and Newtown. I dont even know if Syd Uni have a league team. Newtown has a strong premier league side but no designated junior territory and they have no aspirations to rejoin the NRL.
The Bears have an enourmous desiganted junior cathcment, and in fact are the only such team to do so without representation in the NRL.
More than a few zealots let me assure you, but if you have it in for the Bears nothing will change your mind I suppose.
As for Perth, agree on most of your points. The could possibly be the next team after the Bears.
Against them is obviously AFL, distance, S14, Ground (is there a suitable rectangular one ?) TV times etc. I couldn’t see them being ready for a while though.
I think they should run with a 17 team comp from 2011, and then look at either Perth or 2nd Brisbane after that.
Midfielder said | January 20th 2009 @ 7:41am | Report comment
Marty
Heavens …. here we go again … we was back stabbed by the big mean News machine.. you voted to go to the CC not abandon NSO without BT being finished … when BT was not finished why did NSB not go back to NSO if they had done that you would not have gone broke.. By playing all over the place and incurring traveling cost and small crowds you ate up the transfer money and more. Norths farked up and set themselves up for the fall.
Back to what can another CC team bring RL your answer to date is it will get goodish crowds and win back lost RL support in North Sydney …. please … what else how are you going to grow TV revenue, increase national sponsors, expand the game into WA. I also very much doubt droves of NS fans will come screaming back because of the CC most have moved onto other sports or other teams.
Then their the Oceania team to increase viewers by 12 MILLION ( that’s how many people live in Oceania outside Australia)… an annual six national tournament … buckets of revenue and sponsors here as well…
My repeated question is what does another NSW team one next to Sydney do for the greater good of RL … compared to both Perth & and Island team …
Midfielder said | January 20th 2009 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Marty, Col, Maggie & Others
I have recently returned from Holidays at Byron, showed this article to some Queensland friends who are hard core rusted on RL folk … two played for the old Wests in Brisbane and one has had a lot to do with touch in QLD.
Their words not mine … ” when will Sydney people realise that Sydney is not the center of the RL universe anymore … when will they see the real power in RL is shifting to QLD and when will they understand to grow RL it needs to expand beyond Sydney and NSW” …
These words can best describe why I think the next new teams need to come from outside NSW and CC should get a relocated Sydney team and or the next Sydney team to fall over.
Marty said | January 20th 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Sydney is the centre of the RL universe.
If you let teams fall over and dont have a problem with that you will end up with no fans.
Fans don’t move on and support other teams.
No other team wants to move to the Central Coast.
What is wrong with having saturation coverage in Australias biggest city. ??
eg: So we send the Sharks broke and they move to the CC ?
What does that accomlish.
No more team in a densley populated region of Sydney, that will truly damage the code.
But wait, we get a CC team Oh – that’s OK then.
I repeat, the combined market of the lower and upper North Shore and Central Coast is as important as any other market if not more and they have the facilites and ready made supporter base in place.
It does not matter a hoot that it is in NSW, And know I dont have pay TV projections at hand and nor do you. But it’s gotta increase revenue by more subs & exposure, but this is just part of the puzzle.
magpies said | January 20th 2009 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
Midfielder,
Did I read right that you said Perth has greater playing numbers than the Central Coast?, are you for real?, Central Coast in terms of juniors are 2nd to the Penrith area.
Midfielder said | January 20th 2009 @ 7:31pm | Report comment
Mag & Marty
I read about 12 months ago the CC coast had about 3, 500 players in the local league Perth had about 7, 000.
Marty why can’t teams fail do they have some God given right to exist … Souths / Norths hopeless management Newtown where do we stop.
I know lets kick out Newcastle or Canberra maybe the Titans and bring back Newtown.
Still no answer to my question about the extra revenue and national sponsors … just more in a different way .. poor old Norths where robbed and betrayed by the big mean Mr Murdock …
Expand and grow RL should be the aim bring extra revenue … I guess you guys have heard about Super league and French and English Rugby cashed up to buy RL’s best we need the extra revenue to keep the best players not lessen what each club gets because although a CC team will be successful in it’s own right it will bring …NO EXTRA INCOME ONLY DIVIDE THE EXISTING INCOME …
True Tah said | January 20th 2009 @ 7:55pm | Report comment
Midfielder
I would really be surprised if Perth had 7000 local players.
An argument put by many on here is that the AFL needs to protect its heartland (i.e. Melbourne, although I would argue WA/SA/Tas are all part of the AFL heartland) – IMO NRL needs to do the same, and the Central Coast is/was a RL heartland…the Mariners have probably swallowed the entire sporting scene on the CC although Ive heard that local RL games can get up to 10K and all is not lost yet, but what would happen if the AFL or RU ever tried to get a foothold on the CC, unlikely as it seems?
The benefit a CC Bears would bring is that it would probably have a ready made supporter base in ex North Sydney fans (like myself), and this would help ensure that the side would have a healthy following when they play at Sydney grounds.
It might be beside the point, but back in 1999 I was under the impression that moving to the CC made the Bears a regional side and therefore safe from extinction??? Now the NRL is awarding $8m for a team to relocate to the CC…the Bears were punished for being ahead of their time, they made some bad decisions like playing home games in Brisbane, but ultimately they were punished for taking a gamble. Meanwhile the AFL is awarding $100m for a team to relocate!!
Midfielder said | January 20th 2009 @ 9:45pm | Report comment
TT
I just a number I read some time back just looked at WARL site could find no mention of player numbers … but my point is still RL needs to expand and bring in extra revenue and I cannot see a CC team doing that.
magpies said | January 20th 2009 @ 9:57pm | Report comment
Yeah Perth has 7,000 RL players, sure you weren’t looking at an AFL site, is that why the WA Reds had such a successful season in last seasons Jim Beam Cup, while Central coast club side Erina finished level competition points with them but had an interior -27 points difference that separated the two sides, that WA Reds side must have had some talent being able to draw upon such huge local numbers, yeesh.
Heck lets throw them into the NRL because WA people will be sure to tune in to watch such a talented local side.
Midfielder said | January 20th 2009 @ 10:00pm | Report comment
Mag
Now you get it the WA people to watch spot on
magpies said | January 20th 2009 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
Heck I’m a Newcastle supporter, have been since 1988, before that I followed the Bulldogs, but if a Central Coast Bears team got admitted into the NRL, I’d be there in a flash, I’ve lived on the Coast for 30 years, seen it grow and develop.
My son is in a junior Central Coast Storm squad and from a Coastie point of view bring on the Bears, atleast they were brave enough to give the move a go.
Midfielder said | January 20th 2009 @ 10:10pm | Report comment
Mag
Find one line of any of my posts where I said CC team would not get crowds or be a success…
I simply asked what extra revenue is a CC team going to bring… it is a very simple question
magpies said | January 21st 2009 @ 4:07am | Report comment
True but all I did was point out what an Western Reds team would add, last time the Reds were in the comp players like Mathew Rodwell, Mark Geyer, Robbie Kearns and Rodney Howe were snapped up by them plus they weren’t that bad a side, League would be better off looking at a 2nd Brisbane side (Redcliffe Dolphins) but the Central Coast Bears should also be a top priority.
So what if the Coast are too close to Sydney, look at the region they cover, Milsons Point to Lake Munmorah, the 2nd highest number of junior players compared to some Sydney clubs with virtually none, the Roosters and Rabbitohs are way too close to each other, while the Sharks are neighbours to St George, time will take care of these areas.
Marty said | January 21st 2009 @ 6:47am | Report comment
If it was just about revenue:
Merchandising.
Consistent sellouts (crowds)
Additional games on TV – TV rights (I argue that the CC Bears would see a larger increase in viewing of League on TV than the Reds)
Pay TV subs (same).
Mid – You also mentioned sponsorship – Can you really see a national company saying “Well they have an enourmouse area, a 100 year history, a great brand, sell-out crowds and big TV audiences but heck it’s on the Central Coast so we’re not interested”
The pie will be bigger, reconnecting the NRL with the North Shore and bringing back existing Bears fans on the CC and new ones will increase it in many ways.
Midfielder said | January 21st 2009 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
Mag & Marty
You said you would support the CC and stop following Newcastle … Marty & Col I assume you watch RL now… and you all will follow a CC team…. but you already follow RL … you bring nothing except a change of club maybe (Col I assume you follow Manly now LOL sorry mate that was below the belt) … but my point is who is new or how many are new to expand and grow RL
Marty
If you think money is not important you are living in a different era … sport is big business and needs extra income.
Marty said | January 22nd 2009 @ 8:10am | Report comment
I watch Bears in premier league.
I don’t not have Foxtel, don’t watch channel nine leage and I do not buy NRL mercahdise, ticketrs etc, or encourage others to do so nor do my kids. As I said we support the Bears. So we would be part of an NRL expansion, how many more others like us on the North Shore & CC I don’t know, I would imagine it is a signifact market.
I do think money is important, covered this in my post above.
Col said | February 18th 2009 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
Keep at it Bears supporters, you would have to be the most resilient RL supporters going around…just keep pushing for the Central Coast Bears, get out on the media, and plug the club,keep pushing for the Bears and for the relocation of North Sydney to the Central Coast.. we want back in, and let the NRL know this..Bring back the Bears, 2011…
Michael Hanley said | February 26th 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
I have been a Bears supporter all my life (36 years) and grew up in the area. I went to almost all home games from the time I could walk, and quite a lot of away games as well. I have always considered myself to be as big a Bears fan as you could get. So the last 9 to 10 years have really sucked! I hardly watch any RL anymore and I have really only started watching some State of Origin in the past 2 years. 7 years ago my wife and I moved to The Central Coast and started a family. When I was going to “Bear Park” with my dad as a kid, I remember thinking will my kids go to watch The Bears with me. Well of cause I have never had the chance, but now there is some hope. I for one will be doing what ever I can to see The Mighty Red & Black Bears back in the NRL and representing both The North Sydney District & The Central Coast. And I urge all Bears fans, as well as CC residents who want their own NRL team, to do the same.
Co lthe Bear said | March 1st 2009 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Good post Michael and the more support we get from the Central Coast residents the better for the bid…This club will be a truly Central Coast team, but still have that tie with the North Shore, the strip will have recognition of the north sydney RL club 1908..somewhere in the jersey, so we won’t ever forget where we came from..the NRL need a central coast team.. rugby league needs a CC team..and the Bears supporters want a team to go out and follow, and the support is growing believe me,, why should this large population continually go without their own team..the NRL begins in a fortnight.. wouldn’t it be nice if the NRL made the remark that yes it’s time to bring back the Bears…Well we never went away, we have kept at it year after year..you’ll be happy to know Michael that, the Mighty North Sydney Bears NSW Cup side beat a full strength Bankstown city Bulls formerly Sydny bulls,(Canterburys NSW cup side) with 8 players in their team with NRL experience; 22-14 yesterday…the SG ball (U 18s) had a draw with the Illawarra steelers, 23 all and our Harold Matts (U 16s) beat the very strong Steelers club.. so a great start to the year for the junior Bears…hang in there michael and just keep at it, every chance you get, try and see one of the Bears games, the NSW cup side play Wyong in a trial match a Morrie Breen next Sat.. Stand aside here come the Bears..
Co lthe Bear said | March 1st 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Michael and to anyone else who might be interested..the Bears NSW cup game trial,is on Friday the 6th of March at 6.30pm..Morrie Breen oval Wyong..This is the Bears last trial match the y have a Bye in round 1…if you live on the CC and want something to do come along and watch the game…
magpies said | March 1st 2009 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
Heres another situation why the Central Coast needs their own side, Blake Davey who played for the Central Coast Storms SG Ball side last season was offered a new contract to play with the Melbourne Storms Toyota Cup side, he instead decided to sign with the Manly Warringah club for less money as he didn’t want to uproot himself away from his family who live on the Coast.
The Melbourne Storm are doing a great job on the Coast through the Central Coast Storm but there are going to be many cases like this one, thats why the Coast needs its own club to support, “Go the Bears”.
Dexter said | March 1st 2009 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
Seems to me that the CC doesn’t need a team at all given Davey has joined Manly. It’s not as if he has missed out on a shot at a NRL career by growing up in an area without a local NRL club.
Col the Bear said | March 2nd 2009 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
If that other club was there more kids would have an opportunity, when the Bears lost their Jersey flegg for the Toyota cup,a number of Good players were lost due to the fact they had no where to go..so they went back to park footy..and probably will be lost for good.. clubs will only keep on 23 at most, the rest get cut…Yes Bring on the Bears..and soon…
Col the Bear said | March 2nd 2009 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
To see the loss of another Bears legend today, brings it back home that we are not there in the competition..players like Bob Sullivan lived and breathed North sydney..he played for Australia in 1954, and also for NSW the same year; a one team man..his father Con Sullivan was also a Bear/shoreman, playing for Australia in 1910-1914.Bobbys brother John also played for the Bears..I mentioned to Bob not that long ago at the Leagues club,that it’s not right how these men as himself played the game and gave so much into the game and then to see our great club removed from the NRL in such a terrible way..he didn’t say anything, but looked down for a second..Normally there would be accolades in the press for an Australian legend..I sincerely hope the Sydney press and other media outlets do mention what a fine 5/8th Bob was..These former players are the ones who probably feel the loss of our club from the top grade the most..that year in 54,with Bob, 2 other Bears guys played for Australia, Peter diversi and Keith Middleton..I really don’t want to see the history of these guys forgotten, and what they did for the club..recently we had 2 players and a Coach put into the RL hall of fame..but you wouldn’t know it, it didn’t once say they were former Bears players and coach I’ll refresh you now..Duncan Thompson, Brian Carlson, and Coach Chris McKivat..it is not right that this great club is forgotten..The NRL have the means to correct this by reinstating the Bears on the Central Coast.. enough really is enough NRL..we want our club and our Bears back in the top grade..please rectify this situation..I always remember Laurie nichols..passing away a week before the first west tiger game.. a balmain boy through and through..Vale Bob Sullivan…
beaver fever said | March 2nd 2009 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
magpies said
Yeah Perth has 7,000 RL players
…………………………………………….
You could not be much more wrong.
An example of Perths league junior numbers would be under 12’s… in a city of 1.5 million people there are only 5 under 12’s teams, whilst i like league RU would have a far bigger junior base.
There was talk of league clubs changing to Union when the Force started up, not sure if it happened or not.
beaver fever said | March 2nd 2009 @ 10:48pm | Report comment
Oh and by the way IMO league needs a team on The CC without doubt.
Col the Bear said | March 4th 2009 @ 7:20am | Report comment
Has to be the CC Bears..
Col the Bear said | March 4th 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
Rugby league week this issue(March 4th)…Questions to David Gallop…
RLW: You’ve said that perth and Adelaide will not be ready to join the league in time for the new television contract in 2012.Does that mean there will be no expansion.?
David gallop: Expansion between now and 2012 would be probably difficult BUT we continue to get good growh in a number of markets that currently do not have a team and it is a possiblilty at some time in the Medium Future..
Well to me I think Here come the Bears here come the Bears!! also read the letters section more support for the CC Bears from our friend from long Jetty.. Also our Bears 16s have been invited to play in the 7s tonight for the NRL season launch..Come on david you know you want too, just say the word and here come the Bears on the central Coast.. cheers Col.
Col the Bear said | March 4th 2009 @ 9:12pm | Report comment
Just reading recent reports in the SA advertiser where Sharks CEO Tony Zapia says the annual game at hindmarsh over the next 3 years, maybe just the beginning of a longer association with Adelaide and they may play more games at the end of the 3 years experiment, but happy to call Adelaide the sharks second home…he also said it’s a way of expanding the sharks brand…The NS Bears (hopefully soon to be the mighty central Coast Bears)are playing a trial match at Wyong this friday night at 7.30pm at Morrie Breen oval, right next door to the Wyong Leagues club.This is the last of their 4 trial matches before the NSW cup season begins…
magpies said | March 4th 2009 @ 9:36pm | Report comment
I got my article posted on page 12 of the ‘Your shout” section of Rugby League Week, “GO THE BEARS”.
Col the Bear said | March 5th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
Saturday Erskinville Oval.”.BEARS V TITANS” ..thats right you read correctly, albeit it is the 16s and the 18s to face off against each other..all we need now is to compete against each other in the 20s and the NRL…
Col the Bear said | March 5th 2009 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Yes I saw it Magpie well done,and I’ve got one coming out in the Hornsby Advocate next Thursday and possibly one in the CC Epress A.in the letters section …we just have to keep it up,and get a lot of people to hit the airwaves and continue the push for the CC Bears, send emails to the NRL and david gallop, also more media outlets..The CCBears committee do meet on a regular basis,and I really do think it’s coming together, no doubt.Cheers Col.
magpies said | March 5th 2009 @ 8:00pm | Report comment
I sent the same letter to the CC Express Advocate and the CC Sun Weekly but they both haven’t seen print this week.
Col the Bear said | March 6th 2009 @ 7:10am | Report comment
OK NRL, RU after a meeting in Dubai last night , the big wigs of the RU have decided to expand to a Super 15, the team to be admitted in 2011..(ironically the same time as the Bears are looking at reinstatement)..Gosford has been mentioned as a potential new franchise, as have Melbourne,gold Coast,west sydney and Newcastle..their submission goes in on June 30th this year..IMO Japan should come in before anyone, the time period is very similar..but the potential of Argentina is also something to look at..This might be the kick start the NRL were looking for…A Pacific Island team made up of Fiji,Tonga, Solomons players is also something to look at..for a S15 franchise..and then the NRL does have the concern that they could be based at Gosford…??
Col the Bear said | March 6th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
So we have soccer expanding in 2010..AFL expanding in 2011..now Union expanding in 2011 with S15..so when are the NRL going to come out and say yes lets expand and the CC is the best option for 2011..give this to the Union, they have a meeting and say yes lets expand, no if or buts,only 4 years after the Force come in and less since the lions and cheetahs come in…it has to be getting closer CC Bears fans…
Bryan Ferrie said | March 6th 2009 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
The CC Bears for Super 15???
Col the Bear said | March 6th 2009 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
Nice one Bryan…just back in from the Central Coast game at Wyong, where the Bears played th wyong roos in the last of the trial match..great crowd at Morry Breen Oval tonight.. the Bears in their final hitout before the season begins found themselves up against a highly committed and Fiesty club…The Bears winners in the end 26-20, but the Bears only picked up one conversion…but the Oval was a picture..And also good to see Kane Cleal in the Red and Black for the first time tonight..who had a very big game..Now the 4 trails are over bring on the NSW Cup for another year..
Col the Bear said | March 6th 2009 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
also just wanted to add our 50th year this year as the Bears, before that we were “the Shoreman”, 1908-1958. some celebrations for the mighty Bears this year iIcan feel it…Here come the Bears…
magpies said | March 7th 2009 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Yes, Wyongs Morrie Breen Oval is definately the best playing field on the Coast, hopefully if the Central Coast Bears are admitted into the NRL then Wyong will return to the Central Coast rugby league competition.
Wyong are the biggest club on the Central Coast yet their seniors play in the Newcastle competition, I am a Wyong junior and former senior player having played six 1st grade Grand Finals for them.
I believe if their seniors are playing in the Newcastle competition, their juniors should have to make the decision whether to play junior representative football either for the Central Coast or Newcastle.
Why should the Central Coast develop Wyong juniors only to have them move and possibly play with the Newcastle Reps when they reach the seniors, its just plain stupid on the Coasts part.
Hey Col any dates when the Bears play the Central Coast Storm in the Harolds Matts and SG Ball?
Col the Bear said | March 7th 2009 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
oddly enough The Bears and the storm don’t meet this season in either grade…the bears did get a touch up today by the Gold Coast though..they are a pretty good looking outfit..must be all the sea air on the GC..
probably marquee games for the Central Coast Bears if and when admitted as the 17th licence, ALL home games to be played at Gosford, bar 2.this is after a discussion with one of the Bears directors today at Erskinville Oval..
1) Central Coast Bears V Manly at NSO
2) Central Coast Bears v Souths NSO
3) Central Coast Bears V Newcastle Gosford (Local derby)
4) Central Coast Bears V Gold Coast Robina (battle of the coasties)
Come on NRL you need some positive news for the NRL and whats more positive as the readmittance of Bears back into the NRL..it would be Souths all over again and more…
Col the Bear said | March 7th 2009 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
whoops I meant CC V GC at Gosford…
Midfielder said | March 8th 2009 @ 9:25pm | Report comment
Doing the Eagle Rock
HMMMMMMMMmmmm… interesting from David Gallop don’t sound like a CC Bears anytime soon http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/sweet-16-fine-for-now/2009/03/07/1235842723487.html?page=2
SH Rugby is going to expand to a Super 15 competition, most likely with another Australian team. What are the NRL’s plans in terms of expansion?
DG We’ve only expanded in recent years and we’ve done it very successfully. We’re big believers in not expanding if it puts undue pressure on our current clubs. We don’t believe in expansion for expansion’s sake. We don’t have plans to expand in the near future but we’re playing games in Perth and Adelaide this year and we have five games on the Central Coast, with a distinctive membership around the Central Coast. We’ve also indicated in the past that the area west of Brisbane in something we’re keeping an eye on in the future. But we don’t have actual set dates for expansion, we’re concentrating on keeping the 16 clubs we’ve got viable at this point.
But from the mighty Eagles a few headlines of late include ….Police are investigating the incident where Watmough allegedly slapped a 48-year-old man in the face during Manly’s season launch at the Wharf Hotel…..
Manly’s future hangs in balance
SMH
Brad Walter and Glenn Jackson | March 7, 2009
THE FIBROS may save the Silvertails, with Mounties – the licensed-club group that started in Mt Pritchard – emerging as a potential buyer of the debt-ridden Manly Leagues Club.
With the $15 million sale of Manly Leagues Club to football club owners Max Delmege and Scott Penn collapsing earlier this year, the future of both entities is under a cloud just a week before the Sea Eagles commence their NRL premiership defence against the Bulldogs next Saturday night.
Not to mention Mr Stewart …. that 7 million from the NRL+ Singo money must look very tempting right now…. maybe at Bluetounge they will be doing the Eagle Rock once more
magpies said | March 9th 2009 @ 4:21am | Report comment
Been there done that Midfielder, the Northern Eagles were the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and if anybody tells you any different they have no idea, Central Coast locals will never get behind Manly.
Actually the side I find that has the biggest following on the Coast are the Tigers, they have a huge supporter base up here, Manly “NO WAY”.
Col the Bear said | March 9th 2009 @ 5:11am | Report comment
MF the similarities between this statement and the rhetoric coming out just before the titans were admitted is almost straight from the same paragraphs..I’ll still edging my bets on the central Coast Bears..Manly aren’t going anywhere..I do like Zorbas double standards though…
Col the Bear said | March 9th 2009 @ 10:15pm | Report comment
Just come from the Bears AGM…Put to the vote tonight for the first time since 2001 Do the members still wish to have the Central Coast Bears and in the Red and Black.. just to make it all official again, the members voted unanimously YES…Bring it on…
Col the Bear said | March 9th 2009 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
Why wouldn’t the NRL put the Central Coast Bears in , it would save them the 8 mil for relocation.solve the CC issue.A better choice,the Bears will go to Gosford for free, we won’t be asking for any relocation money, we will find the money ourselves..The 15mil I’m more then confident the Bears will locate the funds…
Midfielder said | March 9th 2009 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
Col
Other clubs in times of falling revenues have to agree to share the media money with you… good luck mate … I can see the Eagles / Souths / Cronulla / Parrmatta all recently reporting financial troubles voting in favour… Cl; you said ..” MF the similarities between this statement and the rhetoric coming out just before the titans were admitted”…. but that was in a time of rising revenues today is a time of falling revenue …. history has a habit of repeating itself … Doing the eagle rock ..rock rock
Magpies said | March 10th 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
If Manly even think about coming to the coast again, history will indeed repeat itself and they’ll be back at Brookvale within 2 years due to lack of interest.
Col the Bear said | March 10th 2009 @ 7:18pm | Report comment
Correct Magpie, but I don’t think you have to worry Manly won’t be going anywhere..All the “rhetoric” recently about Singo selling the rights to the stadium to the CC mariners, i came out and said at the time it was a croc..and yes today I feel a little vindicated..You see MF I really think you’ll find the NRL quite like the idea of not having to pay for a relocation..and I believe there is even talk that gallop would be quite happy when the day comes when someone from the public doesn’t come up to him and say..”hey David when are you putting the Bears back in”"and believe me he hears us, and he hears what we are saying…and saying and saying and saying
I expect some more notable people will soon begin the support for the CC Bears…pretty soon..
Col the Bear said | March 10th 2009 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
Oh and one more thing did Zorba get the boot..no i didn’t think so..
Col the Bear said | March 12th 2009 @ 5:19am | Report comment
Greg florimo in this edition of the Central Coast express advocate, page 76..says the NRL has to act quick on the CC, as the Union is considering Gosford as an option for their super 15..
ros said | March 12th 2009 @ 6:34am | Report comment
well done flo the nrl must act now
Col the Bear said | March 12th 2009 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Manly hey.. sorry MF Manly aint relocating anywhere…
Midfielder said | March 12th 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
LOL union is going to the CC so NRL act fast ……OHHHH Stop please your killing me RU are going to put a team at Gosford talk about clutching at straws..
Col the Bear said | March 12th 2009 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
MF in my opinion Melbourne will be the better option for the Union..Unless of course they decide to combine a pacific Island team and locate them out of Gosford..which is feasible..and then Flo could be on the money..this has been muted before..I don’t think he said the ARU are going to Gosford but he said it is an option for them..and lets face it no Sydney teams are going to relocate now thats for sure..there was a time for relocation for a team to gosford and that was 4 years ago.. they have missed the boat now and the NRL I’m sure is aware of that.. the only option is now for the Central Coast Bears..and I think in due course this is what will happen as I continue to talk about,,,and I will continue until the day the NRL does see reason and put the Bears on the Central Coast and the Perth reds in.. before the TV rights are up…see if i’m wrong..
Col the Bear said | March 12th 2009 @ 8:51pm | Report comment
Just an add on here it was Eric Watson the guy who owned the Warriors who first bought up the idea back in 2004 that a Polenesian team could be based out of Gosford as the then super 12..
Midfielder said | March 12th 2009 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
Col
No re location OK Ok I think I understand .. why then the CC bears are they not a relocation from NSO.
BTW do you watch RL on TV i.e. SOO or grand finals and maybe the odd NRL season match.
Heard that new team song
Glory Glory
To the CC Rabbits
Glory Glory
To the CC Rabbits
Col the Bear said | March 13th 2009 @ 10:05am | Report comment
to Steve Kaless and my mate MF I think you better read what david gallop had to say in the central Coast press yesterday.. The sun weekly…Here come the Bears Here come the Bears ,,am i smiling,yes Thhhhhisss much…
Col the Bear said | March 13th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Mr Gallop Quote..” However i’ve always had great sympathy for the Bears and for what happened with their former bid to become the central Coast team.” “Certainly if it comes to the point of choosing between what clubs should be allowed to relocate to the Central Coast the Bears would be right in the mix.” Thats probably been the most positive view yet by David Gallop towrads the Bears in the past 10 seasons..I really think it’s time everyone begins pushing for the CC Bears..everyone who wants to get on the band wagon are more then welcome..come along for the ride, it’ll be as big if not bigger then when souths were readmitted…so don’t be left behind…Col.
Midfielder said | March 13th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Col
You still have not answered some of my questions … but again do you watch RL on TV now and over the past say 5 years?
Col the Bear said | March 13th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
I don’t think you would believe me anyway,The NRL doesn’t grab my imagination, when the Bears were removed, a lot of “soul” dissappeared from the game ..ask me about the Bears and I can rattle on for months, as you well know.. I do go and watch the NSW cup and I go and watch the SGBall and Harold Matts..I haven’t sat through a live NRL game since we were removed from the comp and I use to be at nearly all the Bears games, now you can either believe me or not,but thats how it is..and I left Homebush in the 07 GF when the Bears finished playing their GF..mind you I didn’t pay I was given a free ticket..But I would gladly get back into watching the games if the CC Bears were readmitted..
Col the Bear said | March 13th 2009 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
Put NSW cup on tele and I’ll watch that on a Saturday arvo…and yes your info was passed on, some time ago.
John Ryan said | March 13th 2009 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
I would like to see the NSW cup on Fox then I could watch the away games of the Western Reds as I will be going to the home matches
Col the Bear said | March 13th 2009 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
I believe NSW cup will be shown on Fox as of last year, but delayed..but as I don’t have Fox, and don’t have intensions of getting fox,,I’ll have to wait until the NSW cup arrives on ABC or I’ll just continue watching it at the ovals..it is a good atmosphere, especially when Norths and Jets meet at NSO or Henson for the frank hyde shield..approx.3000 at henson last year to see the Bears claim the shield from the Jets..Western reds will be in the NSW cup in 2010, you have to wait another season..this year they are still in the Jim Beam cup(Bundy red)But I reckon 2012, the reds and the Bears will be both back in the NRL…and so they should be.
Midfielder said | March 13th 2009 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
Col
Thanks for your honesty … BTW if you or your contacts are not sure what I am talking about I can show that RL rating are up just over 5% and AFL down about 4.5% …. meaning a 9.5 % swing in total … have them contact me it will get your bears back, it just needs the right people with access to people who know how to use it.
Col the Bear said | March 13th 2009 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
cheers for that..as I have said I’d gladly go and watch the NRL again and I’ll probably even get fox(My kids have pressured me for years, but you do have principles), but it won’t be until our club is back..Maybe catch you at Bear park for one of the games and discuss further,but it does seem to be falling into place for the club as we speak..reading between the lines the whole vibe of getting the Bears back has changed..and it stems from the article david gallop mentioned on august 1st last year, followed by the 10 page article in the Sept/Oct “Inside sport “edition..which hadn’t happened to us since we were removed so ungraciously. Gus goulds article and flos continued push in the Press and as Gould said, this club has been forgotten far to conveniantly for some..even as recent as the documentary on the ‘century of league’ I saw recently..every club mentioned and photographed but not the Bears, even Newtown footage cutting their centenary cake..we also had one ,and Carr and Love turned up but you wouldn’t have known it….Manly/Northern eagles ,ugh it still makes me shudder…
Midfielder said | March 13th 2009 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
Col
Assuming you are right and the CC Dolphins get in and you play Manly will you be the guy in the Eagles shirt
Col the Bear said | March 14th 2009 @ 4:52am | Report comment
CC dolphins are a touch team…
Col the Bear said | March 14th 2009 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
MF we will be a relocated team, but the Central Coasts’ own team, and not forgetting our links to the North shore in the process…but in the NRL eyes,we’re not an NRL side so don’t qualify for the 8 mil..they are probably still smarting over the money they gave Manly for the J/V..take over, what ever you would like to call it.. it was enough money to keep them afloat until Phil franks come on board and helped them out when Norths were removed from the J/V.. and into hibernation..(for the time being I might add).. Well this was my understanding until I saw that article from David Gallop,a couple of days ago on the CC when the relocation money was bought up, he didn’t deny that we wouldn’t get it ..?? locating 7 million might be a little easier then locating 15 mil..don’t you think…oh and the Central Coast Dolphins are already a registered touch footy company..I just thought I’d clarify that..and no, I would never wear a Eagles shirt, jersey, or any other paraphanalia associated with the mob over the other side of the spit..and i’m sure the feeling is mutual…at the NSW cup finals last year, when Balmain were playing Manly at Campbelltown, us Bears supporters upset a few of our Manly ‘friends’ by being very vocal and supporting the Tigers..didn’t help, tigers went down and then the Magpies did us.. but it felt good ,and it felt like old times..Love to face them in the NRL once again…what a sellout that would be…
Col the Bear said | March 15th 2009 @ 8:23pm | Report comment
The Bears U/18s beat arch rivals Manly at TG milner today 28/10.. go the Bears..
magpies said | March 15th 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
Yes the CC Dolphins is the Rep name for the Gosford touch competition, the other major touch competitions on the Coast are the Berkeley Vale Panthers (run by NRL Ref Shayne Hayne) who are the current Central Coast champions and have been for the last 3 years since the concept came in, the Peninsula Piranhas(Woy Woy and Umina areas) and Doyalson.
The name Dolphins is not allowed to be used anyway because Qld Cup side Redcliffe has the NRL naming rights if there ever is an Dolphins team, the Gold Coast were actually going to be called the Gold Coast Dolphins until Redcliffe poured cold water on that idea, I’ve actually got a jersey, horrible colours orange, green and light blue.
Col the Bear said | March 15th 2009 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
Mate keep that GC dolphins jersey it’s probably a collectors item ..the colours of orange and torquoise was because they were doing an affiliation with the Miami dolphins who has the same colourswith The gold Coast bid at the time..But you must wonder if they went to all that trouble to have merchandise made up, you must wonder were the Bears ever in with a shot at the last bid in 2004..as David Gallop said last week ‘he sympathisers with the Bears and their last bid.’. maybe it is the Bears and the central Coast time now…
magpies said | March 15th 2009 @ 10:03pm | Report comment
Hey Col, I noticed in your Sun Weekly letter that you are from Berowra, do you have a son Connor who plays for Berowra U13’s this year?
magpies said | March 16th 2009 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
Col?
magpies said | March 16th 2009 @ 10:43pm | Report comment
Well if Connor is your son?, will you be at the Berowra v Ourimbah junior trials at Mt Penang Gardens Kariong on Saturday 28th March, I think the U13’s will be mostly playing our 13/2’s side as 10 of our division one players will be playing the next day in the Central Coast Storms U13’s rep trials on Sunday 29th March, the squad is being trimmed from 36 down to the final 20.
I think the Ourimbah and Berowra seniors clash this weekend at Ourimbah Rugby Park in the University.
Does North Sydney have an U13 development squad?, if so I wonder why we don’t play them?, we play rep matches against Newcastle, Maitland, Singleton and Penrith areas.
Col the Bear said | March 17th 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Manly and Norths, i’ve heard have both dropped their development squads(13s, 14s,15s)..I think this is the second year now they havn’t had development squads.
Col the Bear said | March 17th 2009 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
For Bears fans out there, Sean Dalton will Captain the mighty Bears for season 2009..good on you Dally…
Col the Bear said | March 20th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Have heard there’s some more updates coming out in the weekend press this weekend on the Bears bid..
ros said | March 21st 2009 @ 8:06am | Report comment
thanks col i will check the papers
magpies said | March 21st 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Saw Greg Florimo at Shelly Beach this morning(Saturday), he’s very confident with the Bears submission.
ros said | March 21st 2009 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
the mighty bears played cronulla this afternoon and won 34 to 6 it was great to see graig wing in the red and black thanks souths
ros said | March 22nd 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
i know we should not get too excited yet because we have read and heard it all before but bugger it this time it is different thanks to perry and flo and even peter peters on 2ky this morning this is hugh bears and it is time, i don’t want to hear from people that i use to be a bears supporter but i can’t follow them in the low grade well i have news for you once a bears supporter you are always a bears supporter over the last couple of seasons the premier league has made the finals then in 07 a grand final and last year were minior premiers we need the fans to get behind the bid now make some noise contact the media join the football club and come to the games because who knows the players today for the north sydney bears some mighty be central coast bears in 2012. http://www.northsydneybears.com.au
Crosscoder said | March 22nd 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Another reason I want the big bad Bears back in town,I am sick of the Cronulla never winning a G/F tag.
Bashing the Bears will then be back in vogue.snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory,bridesmaids etc.That is why they were my second favourite team.ATM the Storm is ,because the Vic press stated no one would follow them,and as they operate in “alien” territory.
Getting the Bears back IMO would create a bigger outpouring of emotion than the reentry of the Rabbits.As a matter of fact they would probably canonise Gallop.
Col the Bear said | March 22nd 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
I’d like to add another big Bears supporter who will be supporting the comeback of the Bears,I do a lot of endurance runs and today I did the Lindfield 10 k run, (in a great time mind you) but I ran into opposition leader Barry o’farrell who was doing the 5 k run today, and as I was wearing my Bears running shirt, it was a great opportuntiy..I can let you know that Barry has always been a Bear supporter and was as devestated as the rest of the Bears fans when they were removed out of the comp. so unjustly..He said he would do everything he could to assist in the Bears coming back into the comp.I recall Barry being on the radio before ,saying how much he missed the Bears in the NRL so we are starting to get some polotical clout, with joe hockey as well now..I remember seeing joe at the Bears games back in the 90s, he was alwys under the Fig tree….I would also like to thank the Fairfax press for giving the Bears so much support over the years…hopefully the Telegraph can see it is now going ahead ,the bid for the Central Coast Bears, and they should also begin pushing for it.. yes it’s not 2011 but it is 2012..the reason, I can only assume is because they want to to bring 2 teams in at the same time (Perth reds??)which will be much better for TV, that gives you more games having an 18 team comp. Oh and Craig Wing, what a winner in his Bears kit yesterday..and for those of us which knew, nice to see we can keep quiet when we have too…So lets bring back the Mighty Bears…now i’m off to TG Milner to watch the U/18s and the U/16s play the ST george dragons….
magpies said | March 22nd 2009 @ 9:32pm | Report comment
Ourimbah and Berowra seniors clashed earlier today, Ourimbah won the 1st and 2nd grade trials very narrowly, by a try or two in each while the Wallabies 20’s and 17’s gave the Magpies a fair touch up.
Next week our juniors play each other.
Its great to see Central Coast and North Sydney clubs coming together like this annually.
Loved the Central Coast Bears logo, the red and black train is starting to gain some serious momentum.
Col the Bear said | March 24th 2009 @ 9:51pm | Report comment
Central Coast Bears watch… North shore times.. have a look.. the Mayor of Gosford has come out officially supporting the Bears bid.. he said the Coast would accept the Bears playing at NSO for 2 games only, but the rest of the home games will be played at Gosford…as we have already agreed to, we will be the Central Coast team.. And also a big welcomed surprise Manly stalwart and CC resident terry Hill has also come out supporting the Bears bid included in the article..this is growing by the Day.. come on you BEARS… Here come the Bears.. Here come the Bears…
ros said | March 24th 2009 @ 10:10pm | Report comment
stand aside here comes the mighty bears in 2012 how good will it be to final say i told you so well it may have taken a little longer than we had hoped for but 2012 once we know the time will fly by very quickly but enough time to perhaps finish the stadium the north end of the stadium has the plans for the second level to be built
magpies said | March 25th 2009 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
I really hope John Singleton also becomes involved in this bid, he was so passionate and instrumental in the last bid attempt, also if the Bears do get in I hope that the local coaches, administrators and officials who are involved with the Central Coast Storm sides are also invited to be part of this movement.
Col the Bear said | March 25th 2009 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
John singleton as much as it would be nice to have JS involved, and I’m not saying he won’t be, there is also a lot of other investors which are being targeted by the CC Bears committee ..and as for employment I’m sure everyone with the qualifications will be involved with the CC Bears franchise.and the local feel will be a must, you would be crazy not to use the expertise of Central Coast rugby league savvy people..as been mentioned Central Coaster David Fairleigh will be the first coach of the Central Coast Bears…
Col the Bear said | March 26th 2009 @ 5:41pm | Report comment
BEARS ON A 3 YEAR AGENDA : as seen in the daily telegraph today.. OK if you blinked you would have missed it, but it is on page 82 and for the very rare time the Telegraph has actually mentioned the CENTRAL COAST BEARS..I have also heard if all goes to plan Flo will be on the footy show on Sunday .. to let people know more about whats happening..and answering a few questions from the crew..Sterlo is pushing for inclusion of the Central Coast Bears for 2012,, the big news from the article today is for the first time publicly 18 team comp has been muted…for 2012..and to answer Magpies post..”North Sydney people currently on the steering committee will give up their places to Central Coast based officials..”it also says the new club will play one or two games at north sydney Oval a year.. truth is in my opinion, maybe just 1 game a year would suit me at NSO, and that would be a game against Manly, every year that game would have to be played at NSO.. to continue that arch rivalry, and keep the other games for gosford.. Bears and Knights well there’s a battle royale brewing..Newcastle you have up to Coffs harbour for your recruitment not the Central Coast area as you put it!!! let the games begin.. Central Coast and the North Shore will be BEARS territory…
Col the Bear said | March 26th 2009 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
oh and just some more publicity in the Rugby league week this issue, quite a lot on the Bears bid..that cringe worthy Northern eagles jersey, take a look and see if there was any BEAR in that Maroon strip..no wonder it wasn’t excepted..
magpies said | March 26th 2009 @ 6:41pm | Report comment
Totally agree Col, they should’ve just called them Manly Warringah not the Northern Eagles, they were an absolute joke, I used to look really, really hard just to see the red and black on that jersey.
Col the Bear said | March 26th 2009 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
Before Tony Butterfield said anything about Newcastle recruitment is the CC and thats their area to the Hawkesbury river…Butts should of had a talk to Newcastle legend Andrew Johns, who has come out supporting the Central Coast Bears bid for 2012.. Truth is I think Souths or Parra or even Tigers would have more support on the CC then Newcastle..I think he’s deluding himself…Newcastle is a one town team, they also do a lot of work in the hunter, Cessnock, and so forth, btu I really have a hard time believing that Central Coast is “knights” territory…maybe Butts thinks this way.. but I don’t think it would be for much longer.. go those Bears…
Col the Bear said | March 26th 2009 @ 7:05pm | Report comment
and by the way i know your a Knights supporter magpie..no offence meant to you..
magpies said | March 26th 2009 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
Thats alright, the Knights do have alot of supporters up here but I’d have to say the Wests Tigers have the largest fan base. I follow Newcastle because its our closest team and I believe that to be the case with the majority of supporters, trust me if the Central Coast Bears are admitted to the NRL the massive rivalry between Newcastle and the Central Coast will come to an head. Not only will the Bears v Sea Eagles clashes be reborn but a new rivalry will be born into rugby league folklore.
“THE BIG BLACK BEARS ARE ON THE ROAD AGAIN”.
Col the Bear said | March 27th 2009 @ 11:02am | Report comment
Agree Magpie ,so you’d have to ask yourself why wouldn’t the NRL want these classic rivalries to continue could you imagine the hype, the crowds would be huge for these 2 matches alone..The CCBs would have the benefit of 2 local derbys, with very fierce rivalries in both games…just bring it on NRL
Col the Bear said | March 29th 2009 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Perry lopez(Norths director and behind the push for the reinstatement) was just on 2ky, must admit Peter Peters did give him a good hearing..Perry also made it clear that “it should be an 18 team comp. for 2012..as there are other areas keen to come into the NRL”.
Col the Bear said | March 29th 2009 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Flo on the footy show today, also reiterating what Perry said this morning..18 team comp for 2012..how good was it to see a full house at NSO in the highlights of Flo and the Bears.. a circuit of red and black..brings a tear to the eyes with whats happened to rugby league on the North shore and the Bears..all on the panel seem sympathetic to the Bears and the central Coast cause..
WorkingClassRugger said | March 29th 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
There are many issues that may block the reinstatement of Norths. The biggest one being Queensland. Their has been a shift in the powerbase of League in the last decade. Effectively Queensland has become the epicentre of the League world. It would be negligent to ignore this fact and the very real possibilty that they may decide that a new side belongs North of the border. Size of the comp. will be another issue. As I believe the AFL may very well discover along with the HAL pushing into new marginal areas will be very expensive and by no means a success. As it was mentioned much earlier League may very well need to wait and see which if any of the sydney based teams fall in order to ressurrect or introduce new or existing sides. As for expansion into WA or SA. Well this was tried before to megre results. I now live WA and the only presence of League here is that held by East Coasters. Rugby grew here due to the large Eng,Irish, SAfrican and Kiwi expat populations. As for SA well, thats probably a pipe dream. We are nation a little more than 21 million. with 4 football codes all competing. Thats 44 professional teams right now. With all codes looking to expand. That could grow to 53. not even the US with 300 million plus have that many football teams per capita. Expanding will just create a huge gulf between the top and bottom. This is seen all over the world in every major league with greater numbers of teams than sustainable populations. EPL included.
alan said | March 29th 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
I cant understand why Easts still exist. They have no Junior league, very small area and small crowd base. Why dont they merge into souths? South/eastern. Then give some one else a change to expand
Siren's Call said | March 29th 2009 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
I agree that the Queensland power has to be addressed and this will prevent the CC Bears getting into the NRL. Even if a Sydney NRL club falls over, the CC is not as appealing long term to the NRL and television as much as Perth, Adelaide, NZ and areas in Brisbane and regional Queensland. The CC is to the NRL the same as Tasmania is the AFL – they don’t bring new television subscribers to the code.
One suggestion I’ve got is that the 2012 NRL comp should be 18, but there should be a 8 team cap on the maximum number of Sydney metro clubs in the NRL – the metro area will include the CC, Penrith and Illawarra.
The cap on the number of Sydney clubs would most likely be 8 clubs in 2012, possibly reduced to 7 or 6 later.
In 2012 the 10 non-Sydney clubs in the 18 team NRL would be Cowboys, Titans, Storm, Canberra, Newcastle, Warriors, Broncos, plus Perth, 2nd NZ club and 2nd Brisbane club.
How do you get to 8 Sydney clubs for 2012? The highest finishing 8 metro clubs in NRL 2011 will stay in the NRL in 2012. The 9th club will drop down to be part of a new Sydney metro club Cup comp in 2012. The CC Bears and any other Sydney club or consortium such as Newtown that has its eyes on a NRL club would enter a team in the new Sydney Cup metro club comp in 2012.
The winner of the 2012 Sydney Cup goes up to the NRL in 2013 if a Sydney club finishes with the wooden spoon (or make it the lowest placed Sydney team in the NRL if you want to be ruthless).
This way no Sydney club needs to die, and if the Bears or Newtown or a relegated Sydney NRL club wants to get into the NRL, or some of the merged clubs want to split, all they have to do is enter and win the Sydney Cup – some minimum financial and ground criteria though would be needed.
We would see a regular swapping of Sydney clubs into and out of the NRL making for some very appealing and rare Sydney tribal matches and giving fans of all sorts of clubs a hope to be in the NRL. TV would also want the Sydney Cup as fans of those clubs will want to watch it as well as general league fans given it will decide who goes up to the NRL.
Really this idea is promotion and relegation within the NRL, but limited to the Sydney metro region clubs including the CC and Illawarra. You couldn’t have promotion/relegation and risk losing a non-Sydney club.
Col the Bear said | March 30th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
I think you’ll find that word going around the traps, Central Coast will be the next in..and as they should be…
Col the Bear said | March 31st 2009 @ 6:53pm | Report comment
***FLASH*** LAURIE DALEY COACHING AT NORTHS.. well he’s actually Coaching the North Sydney Brothers U/7s.. the historic club of Brothers plays is apart of the North Sydney Bears junior League.. good to see the Blue and Whites still going strong..words from a former Coach of the U/7s at Brothers, oh at least 12 years ago.
Midfielder said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
Col
You are in ….. 65% 2013, 35% 2012, depends when the other team is ready, three choices Perth, Wellington & PNG…. smart money is on Perth my money is on PNG…
BTW NSB may not be the only CC bidder.
Col the Bear said | April 3rd 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
Have heard about a possible Central Qld bid but not another CC bidder…who knows what state the game could be in by then anyway, and News might not even be running the game by then, the independent group could be,but I’m sure News would keep an interest somewhere within the game..they were never going to recoup the money they spent on SL /ARLwar.
Michael Hanley said | April 3rd 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
“Siren’s Call” – That suggestion of yours about a relegation process for just Sydney teams is one of the dumbest ideas I have heard in a long time. So if a Sydney team finishes 3rd last with 2 non-Sydney teams behind them, they get relegated? Were you joking? And as for Central Coast being part of the Sydney Metro area? Where do you live? Melbourne? The F3 is getting better, but as someone who lives on the CC and travels to Sydney everyday, it is NOT part of the Sydney Metro area!
Now let me move onto Perth & Adelaide as options…..if Melbournians still have not embraced The Storm, then what hope would there be for Perth & Adelaide. And there would be very little new TV viewers in both those places at 11pm at night. If NZ or ANOTHER part of Qld got a team, there is no increase in viewers there either, just existing NZers or QLDers following a team closer to them.
“Col the Bear” – Keep up the good work mate. I totally agree that 1 game a year at NSO V Manly is the way to go. Don’t get me wrong I will travel down the F3 watch the bears play anyone there, but how much more special would it be if every year there was just the 1 game to look forward to……..The Bear V Manly. Yep, bringing a tear to the eye!
Go The Bears!!!!!!!!!
Michael Hanley said | April 3rd 2009 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Opinion on the new Central Coast Bears Logo?
Col the Bear said | April 3rd 2009 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
I actually like the logo, I have seen some others which are shockers, so this one is pretty good in comparison, a bit more agressive though might be the way to go..I think just 1 game a year at North sydney Oval against Manly is all you need.. it will be that special game which everyone will come from far and wide to see. you’d probably break the ground record, I think it stands at about 23 000, I know, I was there back in ‘94 against Manly, I recall the kids had to sit inside the fence around the oval.As much as we love the picturesque NSO and have been there since 1910 (not many clubs can say that), we will be the Central Coast team, and we should ,and more then likely will play the rest of the home games there..Its a way of securing both areas, the new but keeping links with the old..you also have to think about the crowd for the first Newcastle/ CC Bears game, another huge rivalry just waiting in the wings, and another sellout each year at gosford, also the Bunnies /Bears game at gosford would be a big event, after our allience for some years now..So Midfielder if we actually locate the 15 mil , in the next few months,then what chance do you think we might have of being back in for 2012..and just thought I’d let you know interest is strong at the moment for the return of the Bears, from many walks of life..also just a reminder tomorrow is our ‘back to the hill’ day at NSO.. our first home game back there for 09, and all 3 grades are on, starting at 2pm…I’m also wondering how long Manly will have the Sunshine Coast sea eagles as there feeder club,Theres something I heard where they may have to field their NSW cup side next year.. can you verify this at all..and yes go those Mighty Bears…
Col the Bear said | April 3rd 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
Hmm another CC bidder?? where will they play..as I recall North sydney RLFC have 21 years playing rights to the stadium..and also 2 Norths guys on the stadium board..
magpies said | April 3rd 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
I like the logo a lot, “GO THE MIGHTY BEARS”.
Back to where Col mentioned from an Daily Telegraph article where Bears officials would step aside for Central Coast locals.
I don’t think its a great idea that they just step aside, I haven’t heard any Central Coast officials opinions on the Bears bid for NRL admission, Scott Wyatt?, I just don’t think people who have worked damn hard should just step aside, everybody should have to apply.
I know the Coast juniors are wrapped up with the Central Coast Storm but Melbourne have stated time and time again that they will never relocate, another thing I wasn’t happy hearing was Brian Waldron saying that he was disappointed in the number of grade players that have failed to come through from the local league, he expected much more would’ve come through by now.
Col the Bear said | April 3rd 2009 @ 7:15pm | Report comment
Magpie I think you’ll find ALL the officials will reside on the Central Coast, a number live there already and just waiting. they already are CC residents and have been for years.it’ll be smart don’t worry about that, we’ve had enough years to think about this and get this right..as I posted on P Rothfields site..other clubs have to get smart as well, they have to stop whinging and get out there and try and find other sources of funding..the Sharks to their credit are trying something,,Newcastle better do something to follow suit..we need the knights there, so the big game at Gosford between The CCBears and the Knights will be games to remember ;can you just imagine the buzz around the Coast and Newcastle when their game is ready to be played at gosford..There are people who are saying Not enough talent to go around..absolute rubbish!! this really annoys me..it’s a cop out…..look at some of the talent in The NSW Cup who can’t get into an NRL side because the quota is full, these are fringe players with lots of talent..and the u/20s toyota cup, look at the talent there..i’m sure there is talent in the bush which hasn’t even been tapped yet..what about the guys going to other codes or to super League in England..Bellamy has already said Melbourne will stand aside for the Bears if they get readmitted..the NRL should just guarantee the Bears are in, and let the other areas go at it for the 18th licence.(Perth, Adelaide, Redcliffe, Ipswich, Wellington, New Guinea, Sunshine Coast).We have waited the longest, we have kept the interest for the CCBears alive for 10 seasons..and too have that team playing out of Gosford full time.. no one else..even after we were told continuously to go away, we kept at it..we are the ones who are ready to go, right now…so lets just bring it on…
Col the Bear said | April 3rd 2009 @ 7:57pm | Report comment
But even in saying all this, I won’t be happy until the day I finally see those Red and Black Bears run out onto the grass at Grahame pk in their first NRL match.. Then and only then will I be sure they are back..2013 is a long way off.. put us in now, and let the other areas fight it out for the 18th licence..afterall we are the ones who have been at this for 10 very very long seasons..NO one else…No other area…
magpies said | April 4th 2009 @ 5:38pm | Report comment
Just got home from the NSW Cup match between Central Coast Storm and Newtown, the Central Coast won 28-12, honestly if you didn’t know who Big Willie Mason and Nate Myles were, they would’ve just blended in with the other 24 players on the field.
To their credit they both had their moments, Big Willie did throw a good cut out pass for one try and Nate did pull off some punishing hits in defence, Roosters Coach Brad Fittler was an interested spectator in the crowd.
I’m looking forward to the Round 9 (May 15-18) clash between the Central Coast and the Bears, I can’t wait until both squads are under the one banner, “BRING ON THE CENTRAL COAST BEARS”.
Col the Bear said | April 4th 2009 @ 8:30pm | Report comment
I’m just back from the NSW cup game between The Bears and the Magpies(Wests) great to see 2 foundation clubs battling it out at NSO today..The Bears came up against some stiff opposition today, they are becoming our nemisis this side after knocking us out of the Finals last year..Why more people don’t get to see this great competition I have no idea. but we did have a good vocal crowd up on the hill. Shannon Gallant was outstanding for the Maggies as was Dane Laurie and former Bears player Charlie H (5/8th), ..For The Bears Scott geddes had a big game and reece robinson, Bears were in control until Robbo was sinbinned in the 2nd half and the Maggies put 2 tries on down his side, with only Beau champion to try and hold..This Maggies outfit are a good side, and I think once again they are looking like finals contenders..What was the crowd up at Morrie Breen, Magpie..
On the hill today the Buzz was what was said in Rothfields column a couple of days ago..and in the News Ltd press, all agreed this was the first positive to come out of the News press concerning the Bears.since ‘99.the tide is turning..so yes lets just Bring on the Bears…Flo did say it would take 2 .5 years to get it all together to make sure we get it right.. to have a competitive club straight up as in the gold Coast mould.. you not only need a strong NRL side but also a strong Toyota Cup side, SG Ball and Harold Matts.. I would also like to see, Norths juniors and CC juniors from u/13s up combine, as what Manly and Norths do at the moment.. so Ourimbah play Berowra on an annual fixture.. Woy woy play Penno, Asquith play Berkley vale and so on..as soon as the CC Bears get the nod this is what should happen.. I tell you it would be closer to go to Gosford then Avalon or Narrabeen.thats for sure..
magpies said | April 4th 2009 @ 11:09pm | Report comment
I could not agree more Col, it was a fairly healthy crowd watching 2days match (no doubt because of the Wille/Nate factor) probably 2000 give or take.
Having made the trek down to play in the North Sydney competition back in 2005 when we joined Berowra I can speak from experience that the journey takes around the same time as it does when you travel locally up north to play North Lakes or down south to play Umina, probably the furthest points to travel would be out Dural way when you play Hills Hawks or Nth Syd Brothers at Tunks Park.
Col the Bear said | April 5th 2009 @ 6:25am | Report comment
Hey and by the time the CC Bears are in the F3 will finally have it’s 6 lanes open all the way to Wahroonga.. In the Norths/Manly junior competition,,Norths wear a Bear logo on their right side of their Jersey and their local club logo on the left side, to show they are from that Junior district, and Manly do the same with their sea eagle..When the central Coast Bears get up,and the Juniors of Norths and CC combine, I’d like to see both districts (CC and North Shore) adopt the CC Bears logo, to show they are both playing under the CC Bears banner..so the kids will always know they are apart of the CC Bears juniors, and thats what they can strive for..
magpies said | April 5th 2009 @ 10:02am | Report comment
Heres a little tidbit from 2days Telegraph (page 59); “The Central Coast received a huge boost from yesterdays Willie Mason and Nate Myles cameo. But dark clouds are on the horizon for Melbournes NSW Cup feeder side. Word is the Storm want to consolidate all their lower grades in Bleak city from next year, leaving the Central Coast without any ties to the NRL”.
“BRING ON THE CC BEARS”.
magpies said | April 5th 2009 @ 10:07am | Report comment
Col, I agree 100% on the logo idea but I think you’ll find the Country Rugby League won’t go for it, especially how the Central Coast is part of the Country Rugby League, yes we are a mini Sydney as I am reminded time and time again by my in laws when they come down and visit from Boggabri, maybe they could have both logos on there?, the CC Bears logo on top with the CRL logo underneath, problem solved.
Col the Bear said | April 5th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Yes i saw the bit about the Storm leaving the CC next year, once again P Rothfield is mentioning it..and don’t worry I did pass it on ,first thing this morning…. it’s falling into place isn’t it…and concerning the logo, The NSWrl go for it so I don’t know why the CRL wouldn’t also..We are right on another thing Melbourne Storm are staying in Melbourne, they are in it for the long haul down there..the introduction of their SG Ball side this season was just part of it.. next you’ll see they’ll have a Harold matts as well, just as Gold Coast did..Well I think the CC will soon have ties to the NRL in the form of the CC Bears…
magpies said | April 5th 2009 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
If Melbourne do pull out of their partnership with the Central Coast before 2010 I wonder if Norths would sacrfice their partnership with South Sydney to put in Central Coast Bears sides in Harold Matts, SG Ball, NSW Cup and maybe Toyota Cup in 2010, I say the earlier these bonds are formed the better, but my question to everybody out there is, is it possible for 2010?.
Col the Bear said | April 6th 2009 @ 6:19am | Report comment
I agree, if the Storm do pull out of the CC at the end of this year as reported..The Bears should move the NSW cup side to CC for 2010 at least..as the CC Bears.the sooner there, the better to get established.I don’t think it would jepordise the agreement with Souths, thats in place for another couple of years as I understand it and it benefits both clubs and is working quite well..I’m sure The NRL wouldn’t let us have an U/20s yet as we haven’t an NRL team to be alligned to, this is why we missed out, when they first introduced this Comp. and our Jersey flegg were sadly disbanded..and a number of good players were then lost to the rep side of the game,they had no where to go..but who knows rules have changed before…
magpies said | April 8th 2009 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
In 2days Central Coast Express Advocate Melbourne Storm boss Brian Waldron said that the Storm were happy with their arrangement with the Coast and that it was reviewed annually.
Funny how he didn’t didn’t give a concrete answer on for how long the arrangement would last?
Col the Bear said | April 8th 2009 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
Hey magpie, The Bears are just about to secure their financial backer for the central Coast Bears..maybe P Rothfield let the cat out of the bag a bit early for mr waldron.. the blighter…
Crosscoder said | April 8th 2009 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
Col the Bear.
Will this be an Easter Sunday announcement,using a Biblical theme”the Bears rise again”. Shutup Crosscoder.
Col the Bear said | April 8th 2009 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Hey magpie what have you been doing with that full strength beers at your games..and your President graham WALshaw, like his response… interesting…
Col the Bear said | April 8th 2009 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
OK none of my business i guess you guys will sort it out.. I was looking at the Brian Waldren article you mentioned in the CC express Advocate when come across this as well..hope it all turns out..
Col the Bear said | April 9th 2009 @ 6:22am | Report comment
IT’S ALL MOVING IN BEAR TERRITORY: Greg florimo General Manager said “they will officially put the central Coast Bears proposal to the NRL within the next 2 months.”
“it will be a plan with substance behind it.” he said”that will include the franchise structure and a bit about the ownership.”he said.
“We are very close to a deal to have a financial backer , that is part of the plan.”
so you’ll have to all stay tuned for the rise of the Bears.. they won’t be the Cave Bears in their hibernation for much longer….
magpies said | April 9th 2009 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Hey Col, sorry couldn’t respond was at work, yeah its all happening, two of my best friends pictured in the Telegraph holding the beers, shame on them, but as they say “how does a side with no leagues club support itself without beer sales?, Mr Wyatt said “through canteen sales of pies and soft drink”?, “good one mate”.
But its O.K. for Central Coasts divisions pride and joy the Wyong Kangaroos (who actually play in the Newcastle competition) to sell beer at their matches?, always double standards on the Coast, what a joke.
Great news on the Bears movements, keep us updated Col.
magpies said | April 9th 2009 @ 5:42pm | Report comment
If or should I say when the Bears get into the NRL, I hope they have the same strict rules that the Storm had with the Wyong club in regards to their S.G.Ball squad, not sure about Harold Matthews?.
See why should Wyong players be selected for Central Coast Reps in U13’s, U14’s and U15’s only to leave in the seniors to possibly play for the Newcastle Reps.
Col the Bear said | April 10th 2009 @ 6:19am | Report comment
Flo will reveal the format when the bid is lodged..In my opinion.though. I think they should leave the 16s and 18s where they are 2 teams at NSO and 2 teams at Central Coast ie the Steelers and the Dragons, this then still keeps some sort of rep Rugby league at North shore..and both areas will then have to feed into the Toyota cup and NRL Central Coast Bears sides located solely on the CC. this way you have more choice of players, and thus field a stronger team , you know players will put in a lot more if they know they have another area fielding teams that both feed into the rep sides..But the NSW Cup side should play out of CC in 2010 as the CC Bears..I think this is a must if Melbourne pull out, and as waldron said it’s on an annual review..I have a feeling Wyong might come back to the CC Comp, if the CC Bears are up and running, it would be remiscent of them not to…I also think there would be Bears juniors who are now going over to manly only because there is that NRL side, would also stay in this area, if they had the option of the Bears playing on the Central Coast..
Col the Bear said | April 10th 2009 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Well it’s heating up…Mathew Johns come out publicly saying put the Central Coast “Bears” in it’s a must.. Michael Searle saying, another brisbane team is to close bring in Sunshine Coast instead..sure up the eastern seaboard first…Love that name CENTRAL COAST BEARS!!!
magpies said | April 10th 2009 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
In todays Central Coast Express Advocate;
West Tigers and Umina junior Chris Heighington has pledged his support for the Central Coast Bears’ NRL bid.
Heighington who still has family and friends on the Coast, said the region had waited too long for its own side. “If they don’t get it this time, I think league will start dying off on the Coast in the next 10 to 15 years”. he said.
Col the Bear said | April 10th 2009 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
Thats great support to have heighington on board. the more players the better.I believe Mark O’meley made the cheeky comment recently to Gallop at roosters training..”When are the Bears coming back David” and gallops reply was without missing a beat “2013″…
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
As Chris Heighington ( former Bears graded player as well) said “IF THEY DON’T GET IT THIS TIME,I THINK LEAGUE WILL START DYING OFF ON THE CENTRAL COAST IN THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS”. Well Chris it may have started already and just use North Shore as a gauge..if they haven’t got that NRL team places will suffer..So Mr Gallop and NRL Board don’t let this happen on your watch.. a heartland of rugby league slowly dissappearing…You even said that yourself David ” we have to go where the fish are”. Well everyone knows there’s estuarys full of roe on the Central Coast….
Brian Ferrie said | April 11th 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
The “Central Coast Bears” won’t be in the NRL. They will have to be called something else. In a national scale where or what is the “Central Coast”? Central to where? The CC Mariners already look stupid playing overseas with “Central Coast” name. The “Central Coast” is a Sydney centric and NSW centric name. Sorry but you better come up with another name. The Terrigal Bears?
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
sorry to dissapoint but Central Coast Bears it is, and Central Coast Bears it’ll stay…we’ll help put the Central Coast on the map.with the mariners….. so whats’ Sunshine Coast.. or Gold Coast they are difined geographical areas…as is the Central Coast…Northern eagles now there’s a name!!
Brian Ferrie said | April 11th 2009 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are just names. Central Coast is a geographic name that begs the question “Central to where”?
What will be the chant for the home crowd? It was “North Sydney! North Sydney!”. It wasn’t “Bears! Bears!” like Easts and their “Roosters! Roosters!” or Canterbury’s “Bulldogs! Bulldogs!” or Parramatta’s “Parra Parra!”.
“Bears! Bears!” where? where? It doesn’t work. The Northern Eagles didn’t work either. No one knew what to chant. “Northern Northern!” or “Eagles Eagles!” Neither worked.
So will it be “Coasters! Coasters!”??? What will it be?
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Coasters/Coasties is good I like that..People will still chant Here come the Bears Here come the Bears..What do they chant for Titans?? broncos??Tigers?? Wests Tigers there’s another..I really think this is not going to be a problem..
Brian Ferrie said | April 11th 2009 @ 9:43am | Report comment
I’m talking about what home fans chant at home games. There is no hard and fast rule but whatever they use has to work.
“Titans” works better than “Gold Coast”.
“Manly” works better than “Sea Eagles”.
“Newcastle” works better than “Knights”.
“Parra” works better than “Eels”.
“South Sydney” works better than “Rabbitohs”.
“Tigers” works better than “Wests”.
“Sydney” works better than “Swans” and “Roosters” works better than “Sydney”.
But “Bears Bears” was not what the Norths fans used and “Coasters” is just plain silly. “Bears Bears” gets monotonous very quick.
The CC Bears doesn’t work. It needs a different name.
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Mate how many Bears games did you go to..I recall them shouting Bears all the time..the CC name is registered and has been since 1997..The NRL in ‘99 began to manufacture Central Coast Bears merchandise before the demise..maybe the fans will just work it out themslves instead of trying to manufacture something ..’Central Coast’… does work or what would you rather Gosford Grizzlies.. and alienate the Wyong half of the Central Coast..CC covers both shires…
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 10:26am | Report comment
truth is I’m not perturbed ,that the CC Mariners name is not being recognised in japan or anywhere else around the world.. we are representing the Central Coast, and their the people that follow these teams and everyone seems happy with that…The Mariners are putting the Central Coast on the map.. and the CCBs will continue that legacy…
Captain Random said | April 11th 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Do the Mariners look stupid in the ACL because of the Central Coast name? Who told you that? What’s your solution? Call them the Gosford Mariners and risk alienating those who live in Wyong, Terrigal, etc.? And what if people from overseas don’t know where Gosford is? It’s back to square one then. In any case, there isn’t much scope for a potential Bears RL franchise to play overseas, so that won’t be much of an issue.
If the Mariners name really was Sydney-centric, they would be called the “Really, Really, Really Far North Sydney Mariners”. And obviously it’s a NSW-centric name. What, did you think they were going to use Queensland as a reference point and call themselves the Southern Mariners? Or perhaps use a nationwide perspective and call themselves the East Coast Mariners? Hang on, that’s far too vague. Perhaps they should put latitude and longitude references in the team name. But then the “33 degrees 25′ 36” S, 151 degrees 20′ 30” E Mariners” isn’t really that catchy.
Are there really that many people that dont know where the Central Coast is? If anyone doesn’t know, they can look it up on Wikipedia. No problem.
Brian Ferrie said | April 11th 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
At NSO they weren’t chanting “Bears!” clap-clap-clap; “Bears!” clap-clap-clap; on the tv games I saw in the mid 1990s. Maybe they did something else?
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
yes they were ,and they were calling ” North Sydney”.. the same way they can call C-e-n-t-r-a-l C-o-a-s-t..clap clap clap,I can’t believe we are tied up in this…it’s a gee up right..
Midfielder said | April 11th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Brian Ferrie
They never had anything to chant about at NSO (aside from visiting teams) … never through they would so … never had one .. Col will confirm this..
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 11:13am | Report comment
right to the heart MF..
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Just something for everyone to digest.. since the Bears were put out of the comp.. they have gone onto to develop some prettyhandy players and some of you might get a surprise about this.. listing is the year they debuted in the NRL may not have all but here goes(and thanks to matt girvie for putting this together)
2000: Alex Chan, Matt Orford,Michael Sullivan.
2001: Nick bradley,Steve Carew, Scott Maclean,Joel Penny.
2002:Luke dorn.
2003:Chris heighington, Brett Kearney,Matt king,Andrew price, Ryan tandy.
2004:Kevin henderson.
2005:Kurt hancock,James King.
2006 Mathew Bartlett,(NRL melbourne 06-07,Cowboys 08);Billy Ngawini,Lee Te Maari.
2007:Ben ellis,ben fisher,Issac Luke,Mitchell Pearce,Eddy Pettybourne,Ryan Shortland,Eddie Su’a.
2008:Beau Falloon,Liam Foran,Ben Lowe,Grant Millington,Jamie simpson,John Tamanika
2009:Shaun Corrigan,James Maloney,Aaron Hermaia..
Also Aaron Groom was a Junior in the Bears district as was Keiran foran..Aaron just left the bulldogs for England and Keiran plays in manlys U/20s
Not bad development for a club everyone thought had died on Oct the 15th 1999….
Albert Ross said | April 11th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
>> The CC Bears doesn’t work. It needs a different name…
C.C. Riders?
Col the Bear said | April 11th 2009 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
isn’t that an elvis song?? CC Bears is it..by popular consensus…
magpies28 said | April 11th 2009 @ 8:28pm | Report comment
Being a proud Central Coast local I would yell out, “Go the Bears” or “C’mon Central Coast”(honestly, whats the big deal)?, Central Coast means Central Coast which takes in all areas like Wyong, Entrance, Ourimbah, Umina, Terrigal, Doyalson, Copacabana, Gosford, Toukley, Tacoma, Gorakan, Avoca, Tuggerah, Budgewoi, Kariong, Wamberal, Woy Woy, Bluehaven, Norah Head, Bateau Bay, Toowoon Bay etc, I think you get the picture.
Saw Greg Florimo at Shelly Beach again, his son Nelson was body boarding at Nth Shelly, I think they’ve moved out this way, Bateau Bay area from Jilliby?
Today the Central Coast Storm NSW Cup side lost to Cronulla 28-10, without halfback James Maloneys’ direction they were clueless and absolutely woeful, the Storm also lost the Harold Matthews and S.G.Ball Cup games also.
Good call Midfielder………very funny.
magpies28 said | April 11th 2009 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
Its funny when I heard the Japanese teams the Central Coast Mariners were playing I actually thought, who are they?, like one team was called Kowasaki, I thought they would have a dirt bike as their emblem.
Col the Bear said | April 12th 2009 @ 6:51am | Report comment
Bears executives met with Channel 9s Steve Crawley during the week, and he is quite enthusiastic about the Bears on the central Coast and regaining lost viewers…In New Zealand press they are saying Gallop said the CC Bears are likely to get the 17th licence and other areas for the 18th.. Wellington: Central Qld(Rockhampton) and Sunshine Coast are serious contenders now for the 18th licence, throw Perth and another brisbane team in the mix.. you also have a story in Sun Herald today where Chris Heighington will be the first Captain of the CC Bears and they are saying it could be 2012 for us…We are dotting our “i”s and crossing our “t”s it will be right this time…and it’s beginning to fall into place..
Name: Central Coast Bears.
Colours: Red and Black
Founded: 1908(reborn 2012/13)
Coach:David Fairleigh
Captain Chris Heighington
Stadium Blue tongue/ and North sydney Oval(1 game)
CEO: has to be Flo..
Juniors : BLOODY HEAPS….
Col the Bear said | April 12th 2009 @ 6:55am | Report comment
Just an add on Central Qld and Sunshine Coast have both said they would eb happy to accept an NRL side if one wanted to relocate from Sydney….Manlys deal with the Sunshine Coast runs out at the end of 2010…
Col the Bear said | April 12th 2009 @ 7:02am | Report comment
A central Coast resident has started up a facebook site, I know a few who have signed on this, “50 000 Central Coast Bears memebers” is the goal before entry into the comp. he already has 3000 in a week…
Midfielder said | April 12th 2009 @ 9:32am | Report comment
Col
Q …What do you call a North Sydney Supporter stranded on the moon?
A… A problem.
Q… What do you call 10 NSS stranded on the moon”
A… A bigger problem.
Q .. What do you call all NSS stranded pm the moon?
A… Problem solved…
Q…. What do you do if see a NSS bent over in pain walking towards you and bleeding everywhere?
A… Laugh, reload & fire again…
Did you here the sad case of the little boy at Sydney court in the custody battle between his parents … the little boy pleaded with the judge not to go with his father as he farther used to belt him all the time… Then the judge said I will send you with your mother … No No cried the little boy it’s worse she gets violent and when she brings home her boyfriends they beat me..
Please pleaded the boy can I go live with the NS Bears… the judge with tears in his eyes now said … son they are a RL team and why would you want to live with a RL team … Because sobbing the little boy said.. it’s because they never beat anybody not matter how bad they are.
Captain Random said | April 12th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
magpies – Kawasaki is the name of their home town. But yes, I thought the same thing too.
Col the Bear said | April 12th 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Mate your in the wrong profession you’d give Joan Rivers a run for her money LOL….What do you call North Sydney bears playing out of Gosford, and back in the NRl…very very happy…
magpies28 said | April 12th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Midfielder, I’ve heard that joke heaps of times but South Sydney were always the team involved.
Not sure I like the idea of Chris Heighington as the Bears captain, remember his interview with channel 9 when the Tigers won the Premiership, all he said was F this, F that , F-ing awesome, F-ing unbelievable etc, I hope that they put him into lots of PR courses before 2012.
Col the Bear said | April 12th 2009 @ 8:20pm | Report comment
Tough day at the office today up against the reigning premiers, wenty.. the penalty count was appalling.. final score wenty 24, Bears 18.. and I’m still seething about this one..Bears trailed most of 1st half then on the bell led 6/4…and then continually penalised out of the game…piggy back penalties, from one end of the oval to the other,3 sets of new 6 each time, tries then to Wenty, and even when the Bears were down to 12 men, The Bears never threw in the towell, and actually lead again in the 2 nd half, until teh penaltys again..I think the club will be watching this footage with a fine tooth comb..it was a great game that got continually ruined…
Col the Bear said | April 12th 2009 @ 8:23pm | Report comment
I have my doubts also on Chris only because of his age by the time we get back in…
magpies28 said | April 12th 2009 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
I don’t think age will be a problem with Heighington, by then he will be 30yrs, probably an international, playing prop and in his prime.
Col the Bear said | April 13th 2009 @ 6:40am | Report comment
How old would Matt King be, he’s in England at the moment isnt’ he
magpies28 said | April 13th 2009 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
Here are some Central Coast/North Sydney players ages in 2012;
1).Brett Kearney 29yrs, 2).Akuila Uate 25yrs, 3).Matt King 32yrs, 4).Shaune Corrigan 25yrs, 5).Aidan Kirk 26yrs, 6).Tim Moltzen 24yrs, 7).Mitchell Pearce 23yrs, 8).Mark O’Meley 31yrs, 9).Ian Henderson 29yrs, 10).Sinbad Kali , 11)Chris Heighington 30yrs, 12).?, 13)?.
Others; Matt Orford 34yrs, Liam Foran 24yrs,
Midfielder said | April 13th 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Magpies28
Do you think they will all want to drop division and play Newtown some look like they could still play in the top grade????
magpies28 said | April 13th 2009 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Sinbad Kali would be 24yrs in 2012 and Ryan O’Hara 32yrs(English Super League).
Col the Bear said | April 13th 2009 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
What about Big Dave Taylor…looks like Souths might sign him up..now there’s forward..and he might have to play for the Bears in NSW cup..
Max Lamberto said | April 13th 2009 @ 8:57pm | Report comment
What’s the story wit this Roar page? I’m still getting reply posts to 4 months later! A story written on Xmas Eve and this Roar page is now operating as a Bears defacto Facebook page.
Can’t you Bears fans afford your own Group discussion website?
Col the Bear said | April 13th 2009 @ 9:56pm | Report comment
says something doesn’t it… go the Bears.. the facebook page is up also..over 3000 members and counting in 10 days..
Col the Bear said | April 15th 2009 @ 5:53pm | Report comment
Have heard there’s to be some important info coming out next week?? (4 months and counting)
Midfielder said | April 15th 2009 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
The North Sydney police caught two North Sydney supporters climbing over the all at North Sydney Oval .. told them to go back inside and watch the game ….. Col … just for you
Midfielder said | April 16th 2009 @ 1:13am | Report comment
Opps Sorry previous post should read… The North Sydney police caught two North Sydney supporters climbing over the wall at North Sydney Oval .. told them to go back inside and watch the game ….. Col …got it right this time
Col the Bear said | April 16th 2009 @ 6:21am | Report comment
Oh mate stop it stop ,it your splitting my ribs..
The Bears are starting to surround themselves with staff which will fit into the NRL CC Bears mould..
magpies said | April 19th 2009 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Cols right on the money again, in todays Sun Herald Bradley Clyde has been appointed to look after the football management duties (a position he held at the Bulldogs) so Greg Florimo can concentrate on the more important issues of the NRL proposal.
I see there a few former Central Coast players coming off contract at the end of the season like Akuila Uate, Ian Henderson, Aidan Kirk, Brett Kearney and Matt Orford(though he’d probably be to old), I hope that they think of the possibility of an Central Coast Bears side in 2012 when negoiating their new contracts.
I’d personally like to see the CCBears target young up and comers like Daine Laurie and Jamal Idris, who have a tone of skill and can also attract crowds to games.
Col the Bear said | April 20th 2009 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
Yes Brad is taking over the football management side of things so Flo can concentrate fulltime now on the CCBs bid..he has been doing the work of at least 5 men for the past decade, he has someone to give him a hand now and Brad is a great choice…plus we have Laurie daley Coaching the U/7s in the North Sydney district now..Flo has done a great job keeping the club a float and in the forfront of everyones mind…Matty would be too old I feel..We need a strong club straight up as the titans, and this is the template we are following..Cheers Col.
magpies said | May 6th 2009 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
I wonder how todays announcement with the Sharks wanting to play more matches on the Central Coast will impact the Bears bid?, the Sharks are rapidly losing money and it wouldn’t suprise to see them make a full time move?.
I really don’t think the NRL should open the relocating funds for them unless they made a total move.
Midfielder said | May 6th 2009 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
Col
Hate to say …”I told you so”"
Col the Bear said | May 13th 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Told me what Midfielder.. that the Bears are about to become the Central Coast Bears.. yes I think you did mention that..we’re almost there mate don’t worry about the Bears.. even Manly copped a wrap over the knuckles today i think, for saying the Bears are about to go to the Central Coast full time so we want their territory. Haa fat chance thats going to happen…”Whoops grant Mayer I think david Gallop suppose to be the one who says that”.. Magpie just stay firm, and don’t believe this crap coming out, the Bears are going to be there on the CC, it might even be 2011 the way things are going..Don’t you think it’s interesting how it has now come out that, you don’t get the relocation money in one lump sum but it’s spread over 3 years.. Singo has also abandoned the Sharks won’t be helping them out..
Nice to see ,what did Dean Ritchie say yesterday.in the telegraph..”A giant sign in the Blue tongue stadium for the Roosters game “Bears Forever” yes that just about sums it up..Manly are now getting just that little worried that the Bears after copping a kicking for so long, are about to make one of the biggest comebacks in sporting history>>> yeah I want to see that>>>> and yeah I cna’t wait to be apart of that.. Bring on the Bears..Oh did I mention MF that Flo is about to move the offices to gosford for the CC Bears…
Col the Bear said | May 13th 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
Flo has left a message on the North Sydney Bears website puttin gto rest manlys idea of taking over the North Sydney Juniors..and the North shore..I think the Norths Juniors have bigger plans then being stuck with Manly..Berowra V Ourimbah on a regular basis sounds pretty good to me..
The Bears are the right fit for the CC.. and many officials realise that.. hey Magpie, souths just signed Dave taylor, he’ll probably have a stint in the red and black.. didn’t I mention this recently
Magpies said | May 14th 2009 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
Col, when I saw those comments from Grant Mayer I just shook my head, what an idiot, yeah the Bears enter the NRL and then turn their backs on their local competition, not going to happen, actually when the Central Coast Bears do enter the NRL it wouldn’t suprise me to see North Sydneys clubs leave the Many Warringah competitions that they are playing in and join the relevent Central Coast competitions, take the U13’s for instance; Berowra, Pennant Hills and Hills Hawks play in Manlys division 1 competition while Asquith and Nth Syd Brothers play in Manlys division 2 competition, these teams would be able to join the Coast competitions, heck it would probably be quicker getting to Wyong, the Entrance, Terrigal, Ourimbah or Kincumber than travelling to Avalon, Mona Vale or Harbord and you wouldn’t have to contend with all of the traffic thats around on a Saturday morning either.
I messaged North Sydneys U13’s Representative Coach Tony Smith(Pennant Hills) the other day and suggested that he contact Matt Reece(Central Coast U13’s Representative Coach) to organise a trial against one another, hopefully Kevin Nichols(Nth Syd) and Chris Warwick(Central Coast) can rubber stamp matches like this happening, the quicker these kind of matches happen the better in general for the future of the Central Coast Bears junior program.
I hear Manly have already signed Tom Trbojevic(Mona Vale U13’s) to a junior based incentive contract, this is what needs to happen with the Bears.
I can see Nth Sydney and the Central Coast fielding their own teams in the Harold Matthews, S.G.Ball and NSW Cup competitions while the Central Coast Bears would play in the NRL and Toyota Cup competitions.
When you read between the lines of recent articles regarding the Sharks being denied to play their 5 matches at Bluetongue stadium it gives me confidence that the Bears bid looks like it will be successful this time around.
Anyway I’m heading to Morrie Breen Oval, Gorakan this Saturday after my sons play their local matches to watch the Central Coast Storm and the Nth Sydney Bears do battle.
“GO THE CENTRAL COAST BEARS”
Col the Bear said | May 14th 2009 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Flo let them know what he thought of their idea today in the Manly daily..more or less “Get stuffed”Mate they are probably already putting a team together in their heads for the Bears back in the NRL.. and this weekend should be ineteresting with the CC storm V NS Bears..Afraid of all games i can’t make this one..work committments..but it should be a very even tussle..but I was at the Gosford game on Monday night..:-) made the papers I believe…
Of course it will be easier and quicker to get to the Central Coast for the Bears juniors.. I like the map they had in the Manly daily yesterday about the “area” Manly wanted, and they had brooklyn on the Central Coast side of the Hawkesbury.. LOL..
Just start dusting off the red and black.. because I really do think it’s getting very close.. with manly coming out, and more or less letting the cat out of the bag..
Why would the Bears give up their Juniors area after 100 years..The idea is to grow, not retract..and give the Central Coast and the North Shore they can finally call their own.. something that should of happened back in ‘99…
Col the Bear said | May 15th 2009 @ 8:31am | Report comment
With word going around that Melbourne Storm may be pulling out as soon as next year from the Central Coast.. Does this also mean that their NSW cup side ( the Central Coast storm)will now also be relocated to Melbourne as their ToyotaCup side..
Col the Bear said | May 15th 2009 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
I just wanted to get the 300th post up, as el masri is doing tonight.. Good Luck to him..and congrats on his milestone..
Col the Bear said | May 15th 2009 @ 6:46pm | Report comment
Hey magpie, results out tomorrow in the Telegraph from a poll they did during the week..I have a sneaking suspicion you and all central Coast Bears supporters are gonna like it.
Col the Bear said | May 16th 2009 @ 7:33am | Report comment
overwhelming result in the news ltd press today from the supporters survey for a Central Coast team next before anywhere
Gosford.54.35%
Brisbane 7.05%
Central Qld 17,50%
Adelaide 9.85%
Perth 11.25%
interesting how Central Qld come ib second over Perth 3rd, but the result for Brisbane, might be a little of a shock to the NRL.
Nick Walshaw also speaks to Flo and david fairleigh.. my Nick does this mean you have also come around to the CCBs now…
Crosscoder said | May 16th 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
Col the Bear.
Coming from an embattled Shark’s supporter(and yes they do exist LOL),the Bears look home and hosed on the CC.
Just get the junior base back on the lower north shore.
Col the Bear said | May 16th 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment
When/if the CCBs are admitted the Juniors will come back to the Norths shore..when they have a team to support in the NRL once again..Since the Bears have been ousted we have lost 4 clubs, thats not teams thats 4 clubs..Lane Cove; Hornbsy;West pymble; and Northern districts; and willloughby are just clinging there..by their finget tips;(AFL is firmly entrenching itself there)first thing i’d do is combine the Juniors with the Central Coast Juniors from the u/13s up to A Grade..similar to the situation as it stands at the moment with Manly..
Any news from your board meeting the other night, must admit, i forgot Pierce was on the NRL board,I knew politis was..
The Norths Leagues will also prosper with the Bears back, people that can’t get to the games at gosford , willl once again fill the auditorium to watch the Bears on the big screens..
Magpies said | May 16th 2009 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Great result from the Daily telegraph Poll.
Bad news for you though Col, Central Coast Storm 34 bt North Sydney Bears 10.
Flo was up there and a fair few Norths supporters, I really liked how after the game nearly all of the Bears and Storm players stood around on the field catching up.
Melbourne Storm players Anthony Quinn and Wairangi Koopu played for Central Coast 2day, Quinn got the 1st try, forward Ryan Tandy got 3 tries while halfback James Maloney was a stand out.
Col the Bear said | May 16th 2009 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
yes I heard the result, I had it text to me.. just an off day, they’ll bounce back.. but I heard Tandy did have a good game..No NRL players for Norths today is that right,?? maybe Ben lowe..
Col the Bear said | May 20th 2009 @ 8:30pm | Report comment
Official Central Coast Bears website starts up early July…
Col the Bear said | May 23rd 2009 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
If you wanted to see what a real heritage round looked like, people should have been down at North sydney oval today, when the Bears took on Balmain in the NSW cup.. both teams wore replica ‘59 jerseys for our heritage round (Round 10).. it was also Kenny Irvine tribute day today thus the ‘59 strip, this was the first year Kenny played wing for the whole season for the Bears.. best winger of all time…it was a great day, and a great game…’59 also marks the 50th year of using the Bear logo.. so we wore the ‘59 logo as well..it must to have worked as the Boys really lifted today…
Bears winnning 18-6…
Tom Alexander, Cairns QLD. said | June 3rd 2009 @ 8:52am | Report comment
North Coast Bears, Perth Reds, Western Brisbane, further down the track possibly Wellington, PNG in the QLD Cup for now.Rugby League needs a definitive expansion plan able to satisfy both fans and television networks otherwise the game will suffer long term damage.
magpies said | June 9th 2009 @ 9:50pm | Report comment
The post poned Central Coast Bears NRL bid update by Bears CEO Greg Florimo and bid chairman Perry Lopez looks like it will now take place at Asquith Leagues Club on Monday June 15 7.00pm, any fans, junior players/officials, interested parties welcome.
Col the Bear said | June 16th 2009 @ 5:50am | Report comment
Great move to push for Nicole Kidmans involvement for the CCBears..once again the Bears bid gets another full page mileage in the Sun Herald..
Also saw Nick Walshaws positive report in the Daily telegraph, on Monday concerning the CCBears, and the new medical facilitiies for the CCBears team..
This will be a win win for everyone,if the Bears are finally allowed reinstatement by the NRL..
Here Come the Bears….
magpies said | June 16th 2009 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Hey guys, did anybody go last night to the CC Bears NRL bid info meeting at Asquith Leagues club?, I was all set to go and then my wife had to work and I had the kids, bugger.
Col the Bear said | June 16th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
Hi Magpie, yes I did get along..flo spoke very well.it’s just at the beginning stages but this is how he explained the structure.
North Sydney Bears will continue to have U/16s and u/18s playing out of NSO, and also the NSW Cup side.
Central Coast will field their own U/16s and U18s..
Both areas will feed into the Central Coast Bears Toyota Cup side and the the NRL side known as the Central Coast Bears.The Colours will be Red and Black..
Melbourne are looking at consolidating all their grades in Melbourne..
Concerning a merger between both areas for the Junior League.. Flo did touch on this, but down the track there is that real possiblilty..he’s talking 3 to 4 years…
It was mainly just the North sydney district reps clubs there, but I’m assuming a meeting will happen on the Central Coast as well.. Flo does want to keep these meetings going and the dialect open, he also said his phone is always there if anyone wants to discuss the future..
The North Sydney clubs endorsed what Flo and Perry and the bid team are doing and all agreed to continue with the push for the Central Coast Bears licence..so it’s all looking positive for the CCbears..
while you are here magpie, did you hear anything about text messages going around prior to the game at gosford on Saturday..If this is true and there’s no verification that it is.. then if there are any problems then talk to Flo he’s always ready to listen….I think the CC Bears is very close to getting up and running.. it’ll benefit everyone when the Bears finally get the nod.. Flo also said the new address at the CC for the Team will be up and running soon at Gosford.. The only way this licence will come off is both areas work together.. The North Shore needs the CC and visa versa for this to succeed.. but in saying that, once the licence is granted to the central Coast Bears, we’ll have our sellouts, and we all can enjoy NRL once again…Can’t wait just bring it on..First game at Gosford should be between the CCBears and the Bunnies..Kidman V Crowe..
Yeah i’d like to see that…Now that would be the perfect beginning to a fresh club…
Col the Bear said | June 16th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Flo also said his job is to blend all these different groups together.. NSW RL: CRL:CCRL: NSJL.he said it’s a big job to knit these groups , so they will work as one but many of us realise he’s the man for the job and possibly the only one who can get all these groups together….being a former North shore resident, and now for the past 10 years a Central Coast resident..Flo also has the respect of many within the rugby league fraternity..and this is a huge plus for the Central Coast Bears..
I’m confident we’ll get there, and as I said sometime ago, Perth Reds as the 18th team..
Even though the crowd was down at Gosford on saturday.. I wouldn’t read too much into it.. as we see it… you had roosters..(running last), and the titans, who got the licence over the central Coast before.. also I think maybe it shows the NRL that the CC residents are tired of not having a team to call their own..and unfortunatley not having that team ,it’s doing damage to the RL on the Central Coast.. thats why the NRL have to come out soon and say..”Yes lets put in the Central Coast Bears, we don’t want to loose anymore fans to other codes…
magpies said | June 16th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
Mate, we usually go to the games up here at Gosford but have missed the last two matches; Melbourne v Bulldogs and Roosters v Ttians, if it was the CC Bears vs anyone I would’ve been there both times.
Haven’t received or heard of any text messages going around until I read your post, what were they about?
Thanks for the update on last nights meeting Col, all sounds very ,very positive and exciting.
magpies said | June 16th 2009 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
Hey guys join the facebook group 50,000 people who want the Central Coast Bears in the NRL by 2012.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?
Col, were many there last nite?
Col the Bear said | June 16th 2009 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
Doesn’t matter, just someone having a gee up….The Central Coast Bears are getting a huge supporter base going, I think the NRL see the benefit of the Bears and the CC a good fit.. They are business man and they can see a good business opportunity..and a potential blockbuster of a club..
The article in the press about Nicole and the Bears sure got Zorba going on Sunday I was told.. it must of really irked him , he mentioned it quite a few times during his show i was informed..Great this means we are making all the right moves..
I went to the melbourne/ Roosters game but we left at half time, when we were told by the Roosters security to remove our “Bears forever” Banner.. we had it up for the whole first half, and it’s quite long and hard to miss..in clear view of the North stand..and we had so many eople come up to us and say we want the Bears here.. and whens it going to happen…so there’s a lot of positives on the CC towrads the Bears.. which is a great start for everyone…
Col the Bear said | June 17th 2009 @ 11:21am | Report comment
I think the NRL should seriously think about putting the Central Coast Bears in prior to the TV rights being due.. Not having the team representing both areas of the North Shore and the central Coast in my opinion is a having a damning effect on the game of rugby league..in both these areas..
For the Betterment of the game (as david gallop has stated in the past )the issue of the CCBs has to be sorted much sooner rather then later..The poor showing of the crowd on saturday at the Gosford game I think proves that the CC residents, have had enough of being treated to a club who comes up and then rolls off home again…
The stadium at grahame pk, was built for the Bears..so let the Bears finally get there and play…
You could put the Bears in for the 2011 or 2012 season, and have a bye until it’s decided to add another team when the rights come up..
When the Bunnies were put back in in 2002 they had a Bye until the Titans got in, whats that 4 seasons…I’m just suggesting 1 or 2 seasons until the 18th team comes in ie Perth reds..
The Bears pitch document has gone in, for our plans for reinstatement…Now lets hope the NRL do the right thing of the rugby league community and Bring Back the Bears!!!!!
Col the Bear said | June 17th 2009 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
And it gets better… in RLW today, the push for perth intesifies.. john sackson is pushing for inclusion into the NRL for 2013..he is also a friend of Shane richardsons.. Richo is on the NRLs competition structure sub-committee.. and this is what Richo told Sackson.
“What I’m told by Richo is thatthere’ll be two new teams entering the comp in 2013. Sackson revealed”There’s NO question the front runner,NUMBER 1, is the Central Coast, and that makes a lot of sense, and then (the other licence) is up for grabs..” end quote
did I mention something similar to this in the past…Don’t you think that Shane Richardson would have some idea about whats going on…My only argument is, that the CC Bears should be admitted earlier, say 2011 or 2012.. the reason being, why take the publicity away from either franchise.. let each club have their glory, instead of diluting it..Bring the Bears back earlier and have a Bye.. for the betterment of the game…don’t let this drag on any longer..10 seasons is well and truly long enough.. 1 season would have been enough not alone 10/12 we want to start rebuilding, and we have to do that as soon as possible… Go get ‘em BEARS…
magpies said | June 17th 2009 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
I’ve also noticed that former Central Coast locals like Akuila Uate and Ian Henderson have signed on until 2013/2012 with their current clubs, coincidence?, who knows?.
Yes I’d love to see the Bears in by 2011 or 2012 but if they are GUARANTEED by 2013 well so be it.
I’d just like the year confirmed so Flo and Co can approach players coming to the end of their current contracts.
If 2013 is the go then North Sydney and Central Coast officials can sort out their junior competitions and representative programs to make the bid even more professional and shore up the local talent before other clubs who don’t support their juniors snap them up.
Col the Bear said | June 17th 2009 @ 6:01pm | Report comment
as I understand it Flo has already sent letters out to player managers, with the intent of finding out which players coming off contract may be interested in a berth with the Central Coast Bears.. he sent this out when it looked like the sharks might go belly up.. but the letters are out there and I’m sure it still stands, just for a little later time frame, unless of course the sharks do go belly up…
JT da Costa said | June 17th 2009 @ 9:51pm | Report comment
Thanks for all the information Col the Bear, you truly are an advocate of the Bears as am I too. Unfortunately I’m currently in Brisbane and couldn’t make the meeting on Monday. Please come along and join http://forums.rleague.com/index.php I have been constantly updating people on the Bears (i’m red&blackBear on there) and help me fight the good fight and spread the word on the CCbears. If it’s ok with you I quoted and added the info you provided onto the site link here http://forums.rleague.com/showthread.php?t=40724 so everyone can have a read, I alsocredited you as the supplier of the information.
On that note, The BEARS are coming out of hibernation on the Central Coast real soon, where will you be when the red & black are back!
Col the Bear said | June 17th 2009 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
thats fine mate.. just keep up the good fight and this will come off..we have been at this for 10 seasons now, even though I think the NRL thought we would of given it away sometime ago, we just kept growing and growing each season.. as I have stated elsewhere..you have to keep going, I think you owe it to the history of the club and all the players and staff which have gone before us to keep the Mighty Bears afloat..you can’t kill off 101 years of history no matter how some try..People like david gallop and his friends running the game at the moment have to realise they are only custodians for a short time, of this game..then someone else will take over.. I think we all know that the game will be in better shape if the Bears were back in this competition….Go the Mighty Bears…
Col the Bear said | June 18th 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
JT I think that the CCBs will be quite happy if Nicole would like to invest..in a club of the future…
magpies said | June 18th 2009 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
Hey JT, welcome to this forum, you know me as Todd on the Bears facebook page, with people like you and Col and many other hardcore fans how can the Bears bid fail.
magpies said | June 21st 2009 @ 7:24pm | Report comment
Hey guys, does anybody know when the Bears official NRL submission bid will be presented to NRL officials?
Midfielder said | June 21st 2009 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
2036
ros said | June 21st 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
midfielder we will have the last laugh, it will be going in later this year
Col the Bear said | June 27th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
thousands of Central Coast Bears stickers are on the way, and should begin flooding the cars bumpers within the next week or 2,..I put you down for a couple of hundred Midfielder..sure you wouldn’t mind handing some out for us..
Col the Bear said | June 28th 2009 @ 7:22pm | Report comment
The Bears simply outclassed the reigning premiers today, Parramattas reserve grade side, wenty magpies..at the magpies home ground.. the bears were never really troubled as they romped to a 40-18 victory over the reigning premiers of the past 2 years..The Bears have now moved up to 3rd place, with a big game at NSO next week against 2nd place central Coast Storm.. this is going to be a huge game..and the winner gets bragging rights.. Tandy, Quinn, Maloney to be the danger men for the storm..But the Bears are bursting with confidence after their big win today..
Midfielder said | June 28th 2009 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
Anyone know the old main in the rain coat with sunglasses on, with a brown paper bag outside the ground
Midfielder said | June 28th 2009 @ 11:35pm | Report comment
Should read .. Anyone know the old man in the rain coat with sunglasses on, with a brown paper bag outside the ground handing out cash…
magpies said | June 29th 2009 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
More gibberish from Midfielder, surprise, surprise.
Col the Bear said | July 1st 2009 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
magpie, I see I get a letter in the CC express advocate today.. plus another guy as well supporting the CC Bears..
magpies said | July 1st 2009 @ 9:20pm | Report comment
Yes, I saw that Col, great response, I was going to respond myself but didn’t get around to it, A.Fillbrook honestly has no idea, who else has shown an interest in getting an Central Coast NRL side off of the ground, “NOBODY” but the Bears, and the Bears thoroughly deserve it.
I was surprised that they didn’t ask the players opnion on expansion in todays RLW players poll.
This weekends NSW Cup match between the Central Coast Storm (2nd place, beat Auckland 50-6) and the North Sydney Bears (3rd place, beat Wentworthville 40-18) should be a beauty.
Midfielder said | July 4th 2009 @ 7:25pm | Report comment
Col & Magpies
I am going to see the mighty Eagles kick the Doggies butt on Monday night see you there with the bumper stickers…I will be doing the Eagle rock .. not the last waltz .. sorry that was done at NSO some time ago I seem to remember.. or was it Dubbo ..
I still to be convinced why a failed administration in North Sydney should be allowed back in … and in a new location…
But there is hope for the North Sydney Bears .. playing out of NSO again … have a read of the attached link… http://www.nsbears.com/main/news.php
magpies said | July 4th 2009 @ 8:20pm | Report comment
What a high scoring game, Central Coast Storm bt North Sydney Bears 42-32, the Bears scored 3 tries in the last 5 mins to make the score look more respectable.
magpies said | July 5th 2009 @ 12:09am | Report comment
I just want to see a Central Coast team in the NRL, I’m a Newcastle supporter but I’d drop them in an instant if a Coast side was admitted.
I’ve never been an North Sydney supporter but they did attempt the initial move to the Central Coast over 10 years ago and deserve 1st crack at it, if not for the Bears we wouldn’t have Blue Tongue Stadium and Graham Park would still be standing at Gosford.
Midfielder, how can you bag a past administration, look at the Gold Coast they didn’t just have the Giants, but also the Seagulls, the Chargers then nearly became the Dolphins before having to settle on the Titans and look at them now.
Just wait and see Mildfielder, anything is possible.
Col the Bear said | July 7th 2009 @ 8:41pm | Report comment
True Magpies it wasn’t one of the better games for the Bears, as opposed to last week against the reigning premiers when we completely humbled them.. The CC storm, are a well drilled team, and deserve their palce on the ladder.. it must be the Norths connection, with Maloney and Feeney there
but this comp is very close and not much seperates 1st and 7th..I think the problem the Bears have is the chopping and changing..ie Kidwell coming back at the last minute, Capwell going up..is JLo with us this week or not.. when we have a consistent line up, the Boys perform much better..
and MF as Magpie said, how can you judge an administaration thats been gone for 10 seasons now, compared to the present Board..now, with people like Perry Lopez,Brad clyde,.Hans sulemyn now in charge of the Leagues club.. it’s a different combination by far…
The Bears will be there.. I have no doubt..the office is almost ready on the CC for the Bears.. but Flo will be the one who lets out the information about office address and set up for the Central Coast Bears…
This Thrusday night is an information night in town at the MLC centre from 6 pm..run by Flo and 2 staunch Norths business men the Obriens..this is an evening where business and Bears supporters will come to hear about the Bears on the Central Coast.. and our membership drive to get back in to the NRL.. with Membership packages on hand…
Col the Bear said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:46am | Report comment
and also on this, loosing Samu for 10, for a dubious penality, when we were leading, the Storm scored 3 tries when Samu Wara (our fullback and one of our better defensive players was off)..why this guy isn’t in NRL yet is beyond me, he’s consistent every week without fail…
Col the Bear said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
I have just seen where the new Central Coast Bears office will be situated in the very busy Erina .. all is going full speed ahead for the CCBs..
magpies said | July 9th 2009 @ 7:00pm | Report comment
Awesome news Col, sounds great, are they North Sydney Bears membership packages or Central Coast Bears membership packages?.
Mate the Central Coast Storm also have the same problem, some weekends James Maloney, Ryan Tandy, Wairangi Koopu and a handful of others fly up from Melbourne on Saturday morning to play an Saturday afternoon, this has happened on many occassions especially when they recently lost to Newtown and had that high scoring game against Wests.
Jamie Feeney may be the Coach of the side but trust me he receives instructions from the Melbourne hierachy on who plays where, who replaces whom, how much time certain players play for etc, etc, so the players Melbourne want are ready for an NRL call up if needed.
I totally agree about Samu Wara, how he missed out on the NSW Residents squad is beyond me, with fringe NRL players like James Maloney, Ryan Tandy, Samu Wara, Chris Trembath the CC Bears future looks healthy.
Years ago St Edwards College East Gosford also use to have a close association with the Bears, with many young bear cub hopefuls attending the college.
Hopefully when the Bears are re-admitted into the NRL this partnership could be rekindled, what the Central Coast needs is an Sports High School with an close association to an NRL team, at the moment many young hopefuls are leaving the Coast to attend Hunter Sports High.
Two of the stronger schools on the Coast in League at the moment are St Eddies and also Brisbane Water Secondary College, Umina.
Col the Bear said | July 10th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Great meeting last night we are now in the process of organising a similar meeting on the Central Coast over the next few weeks.. if it is half as successful as last night, we’ll be extremely happy..
The membership are for Central Coast Bears membership… if you are a current North Sydney football club member you outomatically become a Central Coast Bears member..hey I got my CCBears wrist band last night.. the first of the merchandise Magpie..and many more were handed out last night.
Funny you should mention st edwards they have already been in touch with us, and we are looking into donating some things for their upcoming function they are having this month..
The business man there last night seemed quite impressed with the overall meeting, and they booed with the rest of us when Manly were mentioned.. loved it…the media were also well represented last night, and expect some things to come out again shortly… this is a very professional looking bid..
Col the Bear said | July 10th 2009 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Daisy is so pumped about this, he mentioned how he was walking through terrigal the other day and it took him ages as everyone stopped him asked when are the Bears coming..he said it was amazing…you may have some detractors on the CC concerning the Bears, but I really do think this is a minority… I really believe the majority, want the central Coast Bears to get up and succeed…and that is how everyone is reading it..I do know last night a couple of big banks were represented at the meeting, and I was actually standing next to one of the reps, and they did seem genuinely excited about the prospect of 1mil people without a rugby league team to support, and the prospect of an area representing so many councils…we just have to keep the Bears juggernaught rolling along…but I think there is no stopping us now…
magpies said | July 11th 2009 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
Everything sounds like its coming along very smoothly, I spoke to Greg Florimo today at Sohier Park Ourimbah, his son Nelsons Wyong side was playing the Entrance (13/1’s, won 20-4) and my son Jakes Ourimbah side was in the game after against Nth Lakes (13/1’s, won 76-0).
He said that the Central Coast Bears headquarters at Erina are opening on Monday and that the CC Bears membership packages will be readily available to the public when their official website is off and running in a few weeks.
ros said | July 12th 2009 @ 5:54am | Report comment
Investors ready to put cash into Bears: Florimo
Adrian Proszenko | July 12, 2009
CENTRAL COAST Bears have already received interest from potential backers after releasing an investor document during the week. The Bears have held preliminary talks with interested parties as they ramp up their bid for readmission into the NRL for 2013.
“Even after all the drama that the game has gone through, we’re finding there are still people in the market interested in investing in the game,” Bears chief executive Greg Florimo said. “We’ve had a positive response since going to the market, people want to talk to us.”
The investor document – obtained by The Sun-Herald – provides detailed financial projections, an outline of the club’s management structure and demographic information on the region the Bears will represent. It also contains supporting statements from some of sport’s most influential names including Wayne Bennett, Andrew Johns, Peter Sterling, Wally Lewis, Shane Webcke, Wayne Pearce and the Nine Network’s sports boss, Steve Crawley.
“The people of the Central Coast and north shore of Sydney deserve their own team and I am 100 per cent behind the push for the Central Coast Bears to be granted an NRL licence,” Bennett said in the document.
The Bears held a function in the Sydney CBD on Thursday night to provide an update on the latest developments in their bid to re-join the competition. About 300 fans, potential investors and league identities heard Florimo and coach-in-waiting David Fairleigh outline their vision for the club. The event also doubled as the official launch of the club’s membership drive.
“It’s very exciting to be able to build the culture of a football club from the ground up,” Fairleigh said.
“This will be a team which North Sydney and the Central Coast will be able to call their own.”
Wests Tigers forward Chris Heighington has already been touted as the first signing and captain for the Bears. And The Sun-Herald can reveal that Queensland and Australian halfback Johnathan Thurston, the game’s best player, is next in their sights.
“You couldn’t get a bigger name in the game and he’s playing the best football of his career,” Florimo said. “Someone of Thurston’s ilk adds an incredible amount of credibility to the football club.
“He brings a level of maturity that we’re looking for as we move forward. Having someone of his calibre would be a fantastic drawcard to an emerging team.
“We intend to talk to Johnathan firsthand about our intentions and make it known that we want him to be, alongside Chris Heighington, one of our marquee signings.”
magpies said | July 12th 2009 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
Jonathan Thurston?, he’ll be 30 yrs in 2013 probably Australian Captain, so he won’t come cheaply.
I hope that they concentrate on bringing home alot of the local Coast/North Shore players currently in the NRL like Tim Moltzen, Akuila Uate, Ian Henderson, Mitchell Pearce, Mark O’Meley, Shaun Corrigan, Aidan Kirk etc, etc.
Also a personality player similar to Wendell Sailor wouldn’t hurt the turnstyles.
Col the Bear said | July 15th 2009 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
North shore Times and the Mosman daily in the sports sections today.Wednesday 15/7/09. articles on the Bears and their bid…
Col the Bear said | July 23rd 2009 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
at last the hornsby advocate has done a story about the Bears venture back into the NRL…
Bears have also beginning to get involved with primary schools on the Central Coast, with Bears package going to St Edwards to help out their fundraisers.. and more schools to follow..
merchandise , people are just itching for CCBears merchandise..I “lost “5 Central Coast Bears wrist bands today after i handed them out to CCBears supporters who wanted to know where to get them from..I handed out a couple to CC people on the wyong train tonight while heading home..at this rate I’ll have to make sure I have a lot more…The CCBears are gonna be big..there’s no doubt about it…
magpies said | July 25th 2009 @ 5:38pm | Report comment
Go the Bears, yes lets get this merchandise rolling out, I want an CC Bears wristband already, arghhhhh.
Col the Bear said | July 27th 2009 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
we’re having a CCBears get together meeting tomorrow night,to see how plausible it is for us at putting a CC Bears information stand at the Berowra woodchop on the 9th of August,we should have stickers and wrist bands available on the day..as you may be aware this is a pretty big annual event in the upper North Shore, with people coming from the Central Coast and Mooney Mooney, Brooklyn and elsewhere..
we are also looking at a get together on the Central Coast soon. and we will discuss this tomorrow as well..
magpies said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
Sounds good Col, just keep us informed. I would love to hand some of this stuff out on the Central Coast if given the opportunity, if you guys need a hand just let me know.
magpies said | August 5th 2009 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
The Melbourne Storm have officially announced that they are withdrawing from their partnership with the Central Coast rugby League in 2010 thus ending their three year partnership with the Coast. Bring on the Central Coast Bears ASAP.
col the bear said | August 5th 2009 @ 6:31pm | Report comment
Yes definate time for the CC Bears, also The NSW country rugby union have decided not to contest a bid for the super 15 licence to be based out of Gosford…
time for the NRL to act and bring on the Central Coast Bears..it’s all coming together slowly but surely…
Dogs Of War said | August 5th 2009 @ 6:59pm | Report comment
Really comes down to the next TV deal. The fact that the NRL has remained pretty quiet, suggests that we are going to get shafted again, so the Central Coast and Perth will both need have have everything in place if they are to stand any chance of getting readmitted.
Central Coasts impact on Sydney clubs will be interesting as well, as I am sure 50% of the money for the club will come from Sydney, so someone has to lose out, but which club will make way down the track?
chriskpy said | August 5th 2009 @ 7:03pm | Report comment
Definately agree, Central Coast deserve the oppurtunity to have their own team instead of having others play at the magnificent Bluetongue Stadium. I wouldn’t support a current team being relocated, but would like to see the Bears or a brand new team call Central Coast home. As I live on the Central Coast I would definately go to a lot of the games and would support them as my second team (die-hard Sharks fan) I would buy merchandise and take friends and family to the games. Seems Bluetongue Stadium is being wasted at the present
magpies said | August 6th 2009 @ 6:50pm | Report comment
A mate of mine on the Coaching staff with the Central Coast Storm said that he first got wind of this whe weekend Shellharbour flogged them in the NSW Cup competition but they’ve kept it under wraps, Central Coast division head Scott Wyatt had a meeting the other day with all the Storm people and said that the Coast would have sides in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions next season and maybe the NSW Cup, he said atleast 5 NRL clubs have expressed interest in using the Coasts vast junior resources (including the Bears) and that even the CRL could take over the running of the sides.
C’mon Flo, the time to strike is now!!!!
col the bear said | August 6th 2009 @ 8:15pm | Report comment
Magpie good to see photos of Flo and Michael buettner in the Central Coast Express Adv. at the Gosford races for the men of league day..
one of the ambassadors for the CCBears wayne pearce is also on the CC this saturday,at Lisarow, for a sausage sizzle, I see…
I’m sure Flo and the CCBears bid team were well aware that the Storm were looking at pulling out..it was only a year by year commitment..But yes thats made way now for the NRL to put the Bears back…
I really do like the name Central Coast Cubs for the SG Ball and Harold Matts teams on the Central Coast, maybe this is a name that should be considered..and the North Sydney Bears Harold Matts and Sg Ball squads..playing out of NSO.. to explain “Cubs” being the new kids on the block, and the “Bears” the elder ones…
col the bear said | August 8th 2009 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
Now that Melbourne have pulled out of the Central Coast, a good idea would be to call the U/16s and U/18s on the Central Coast next year The Cubs…”CENTRAL COAST CUBS”, is a great name, and lets hope the CRL and the CCRL also agree.. has a better ring to it then the Rip…and then all is ready to be the feeder clubs to the Nrl franchise the “CENTRAL COAST BEARS”…
and we have the “NORTH SYDNEY BEARS” playing out of NSO in the u/16s and U/18s as usual, for 2010 with registrations already commencing…
Both to feed into the Toyota Cup side and the NRL side known as the Central Coast Bears..come on NRL don’t loose another area to AFL…time to act now.. 2010 it begins!!!!
Dave said | August 8th 2009 @ 4:45pm | Report comment
Why did the Storm pull out?
Midfielder said | August 8th 2009 @ 5:37pm | Report comment
I still think this is so wrong … there are limited spaces for new teams to go … not to put teams where they can do the most good for RL … to please a noisy few……. would be one of the biggest mistakes DG could make…
My suggestions prior to CC…. Second Brisbane , Perth, Central Queensland, Wellington (NZ) , PNG, ……….then the CC ……… amazing the way the media has been built up…great credit to the hype and ability to never answer the screamingly obovious queations…
Col & Magpies … I am not against RL .. actually pro RL .. but to grow RL needs new teams to go to new markets that can grow…. not into already mature markets that will struggle to hold market share…
BTW Col & Magpies ever heard of AFL … thats the sport trying to take players and market share from RL… SOOOOOOOO lets be real smart and leave just one Brisbane & GC team to take on the two AFL teams…. very clever I am sure the good folk of Woy Woy will help Queensland RL a lot…
col the bear said | August 8th 2009 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
Give it up MF.. we’re on a roll..why aren’t you at Brooky tonight anyway…
odds on It’ll be the Central Coast and Western reds…I think the NRL might be more worried about loosing a strong rugby League area to AFL and as they should be…
it’s a little more then just a ‘noisy few ‘as you put it ,You would not believe some of the investors at our recent information night at the MLC centre.. 300 there and all pretty impressed with what the Bears have on offer.. 1 million population without a rl team to support.. , and there has also been a get together on the CC for business investors and the same response.. the Bears and the Central Coast are the right fit…
the Storm pulled out because they want to field all their teams in Melbourne including fielding the NSW cup on their own , with their NRL,Toyota cup and SG Ball and Harold matts…
The NSW cup is about to get a well overdue overhaul.. next year the Western reds will also be entered into the NSW cup side promoted from the Bundy red cup..
so we’ll be travelling to Auckland, Melbourne and Perth.. and in 2011 Canberra and Manly have to come back to the NSW cup from Qld…
So go the Bears… Oh and go the Bunnies….No tears for Manly here…
The bleeding obvious MF is to stitich up the CC and the North Shore as David gallop said….we need to go where our heartland is..
col the bear said | August 8th 2009 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
Oh OK, so the AFL are about to put another team in western sydney for 2012..
why wouldn’t you secure the Central Coast before the AFL get in there.. they are making inroads into the schools on the Central Coast and elsewhere.. they have money to burn, and not afraid to spend it…
whether you believe it’s a correct decision or not.. it’s Morally right to put the Bears back in this competition…
Willoughby once a stronghold rugby league area.. now most kids are into AFL in the school..The longer this goes on the more inroads the AFL are making…It’s time to say enough is enough.. and it’s time the Central Coast and the North Shore finally got their team..
col the bear said | August 8th 2009 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
and as it says in the press today, if players come through Melbourne ,they will play for NSW and not Qld, as in Folau and Inglis.. they won’t have a Qld arrangement as before with Brisbane Norths..
i’m sure the Broncos would want another team on their doorstep after their very impressive 2009 season…..
prowling panther said | August 8th 2009 @ 7:54pm | Report comment
Not sure if the NRL can afford to expand in the short term with the crummy year its had off the field. We need to sure up existing clubs and focus on getting consistent crowds of 15K+
But if the NRL wants to expand, Central coast bears are easily first team
The second team to make an 18 team competition is harder
WA Reds (although their bundy cup season has been dreadful) offer a new market for NRL and increase the scope to maximise TV rights. THe perth reds didn’t actually do badly for a new club in the late 90s but the ridiculous rule that the team has to pay all the airfares for visiting teams.
However, another team in SE Qld is also important with the AFL charging in. It is strange that in 2011 that there will be 2 NRL clubs vs 2 AFL clubs in the capital region of rugby league. Some suggest Ipswich-Logan but this region is smack bang in brisbane. We shouldn’t bring new competitiors to the biggest team in the league (broncos). I reckon sunshine coast is a good option for SE Queensland. It has a growing population and completes coverage from the NSW border through the major urban area.
Although radical, maybe we should axe the disgraceful sharks and bring in all 3 of these sides to make 18. THis would be risky for the NRL and also smell a bit like SuperLeague but the SHarks have not won a premiership. THey made a home preliminary final and only drew 27K. Their image is shattered and will take years to fix. and their brand is symbolic of zero success. I hope they get wooden spoon this year and 2010 so the NRL have no choice
panthers for the top 4!!!!!!!!!
magpies said | August 8th 2009 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
“Go the Rabbitohs”, Manlys 2nd loss in a row, hahaha.
Not sure I agree with Central Coast Cubs though Col, makes them sound a little inferior to the North Sydney Bears, what about the Central Coast Grizzlys?
My son actually played in an AFL skools knock out the other day on the Coast, alot of League boys played in it, not many enjoyed it though, just another day off of skool to them.
I agree with Col, the North Shore and the Central Coast are a great fit, I remember when my son played with Berowra when we played at Pennant Hills’ home ground. League was down the bottom field and AFL were up the top and players from both codes were sharing the one canteen inbetween.
col the bear said | August 8th 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Cubs only for the 16s and 18s..Ah mate think Chicago Cubs, they aren’t inferior in any way ,different codes I know.. and think the grand picture ..Chicago Bears…/ Central Coast Bears… the under 20s and NRL will be the CCBears..I see Cubs more referring to the youth then anything..
but the thing is Magpie, the AFL are doing it,when you have the new western sydney team, up and running with quite a few NSW locals in it…it will get more of a foot hold..plus they do give quite a few handouts to the kids in the auskick…
speaking of Greenway I was there today, quite a few semis played there today..tomorrow though at Warrina st.. Berowra V Valleys knockout…. a big game…
prowling panther said | August 8th 2009 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
yes central coast bears for next expansion team
But what about the 18th team?
WA reds? Sunshine Coast?
Or axe the Sharks and bring in all 3
col the bear said | August 8th 2009 @ 8:52pm | Report comment
and yes another loss to the evil Maroon and White….
and in the 20s as well…
Midfielder said | August 8th 2009 @ 9:50pm | Report comment
hahahehehahahehe … Willoughby once a stronghold rugby league …. pre 1980… ROFL…. BTW the AFL is getting the RU kids on the north shore in the main…
Look guys say what you want IMO putting a CC team in before those I mentioned is giving in to dumbness in the extreme … a very clever and well organised media campaign… nothing to do with Manly ….
Hand on heart guys not the other thing… do you actually think a CC team is more important than a second Brisbane team and a Perth team…
Still no facts just blind glib figures … no attention to the changing demographic of the North Side…
You will win I think and RL will suffer because of it… Selfish and self centred IMO is what the CC bid is about…
magpies said | August 9th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Midfielder, I do agree with you on another Brisbane team and maybe Perth but further down the track.
I’m in favour of an Central Coast Team as I live on the Coast and the amount of juniors up here deserve a chance, I like the fact that the Central Coast Bears will also be connected to a foundation club like North Sydney, in the public schools system Sydney North wear black and red and incorporate junior school players from the Central Coast, North Sydney and Manly areas (the Central Coast region dominate selection virtually every season), Sydney North have won the last two open carnivals.
What about these inner city clubs, honestly the Roosters and Rabbitohs live on each others door ster, its ridiculous, the Roosters don’t have any juniors and buy anybody available, the Sharks also live on the Dragons back step.
Another thing with Melbourne pulling out the Central Coast Storm was that alot of younger players were offered contracts by Melbourne but didn’t really want to move down to Bleak City after growing up near our beautiful Coastal beaches, I know quite a few who have signed to play for Manly in the Toyota Cup (Blake Davey, Josh Drinkwater) over the last two seasons for less money so that they can be closer to home.
Col the Bear said | August 9th 2009 @ 11:24am | Report comment
we should have been there in ‘99 as we were encouraged to do and we wouldn’t even been having this discussion, by now we would have been discussing the 2 premierships the CC Bears would have won in the noughties…
Midfielder said | August 9th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
magpies
As much as I feel your pain .. the very simple fact is Sydney has 9 teams add Newcastle thats ten teams in a fairly small area …
TV ratings and growing the game … the CC already has very high RL TV ratings … Newcastle play their and a fair bit and so do some other teams … I think 5 to 7 games a year now anyway …
If you want to grow RL it is not a CC team … if you want to say sorry to a failed adminstration then put a team on the CC … however a relocation team from Sydney to the CC is a go … IMO Souths are the best option …
col the bear said | August 9th 2009 @ 9:05pm | Report comment
Souths would never change their name to the CC..in fact the only team who would ,will be the Bears.. a full relocation.. can’t you see CC residents are sick of teams coming to the coast take the cash and run off back home..
doesn’t solve the problem the coast still don’t have a team to call their own..all 16 clubs could play a game on the CC each year.. and will never solve the problem that has been created…
Time for the Central Coast Bears….sooner rather then later…
Dogs Of War said | August 9th 2009 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Any team that moved to the Central Coast (which it won’t be Souths), would have to change there name to Central Coast if they wanted support in the region. Otherwise there is no point.
Really if anybody is going to move at this point, it will be Sharks if the development doesn’t get up, and they continue to be poor on the field next year.
col the bear said | August 9th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Word I have heard NO NRL team is going to relocate..to the Central Coast…and thats been from pretty reliable sources…
The CCBears 17th licence.. Western reds 18th.. thats my prediction and thats what I’m sticking too…
magpies said | August 10th 2009 @ 5:09am | Report comment
I totally agree with Dogs of War.
The Central Coast “DOESN’T” want a relocated team that has failed in their own region. The only team that would ever stand a chance getting the backing of the fans of the Central Coast would be the Wests Tigers.
I’ve lived on the Coast now for over 32 years and I still cannot believe the support the Tigers have up here.
A relocated team just will not work on the Coast, fans want to go to the local beaches, shopping malls, parks and walk near their footy idols.
The Central Coast Mariners soccer have this.
The Central Coast Rays Rugby Union didn’t, actually not one player in their squad was from the Coast and they won the Australian Championships and could only attract around 2000 to homes games.
“BRING ON THE CC BEARS”
col the bear said | August 15th 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
A big win to the Bears today against the Western suburbs magpies.out at Campbelltown.Stadium..the Bears are coming into form with the finals just around the corner..
ros said | August 15th 2009 @ 8:48pm | Report comment
here comes the mighty bears yet again another great win to the bears
Col the Bear said | August 16th 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Sunday telegraph 16/8/09
interview Ricky stuart with david gallop.
RS: Central Coast have been crying out for their own team.Are they any hope over the enxt 5 years?
DG: I wouldn’t want to put a timeframe on it,but I think Gosford has got to have a team.Finding a way to reconnect the North Shore to that team makes sense.”We’re continuing to talk to the BEARS people but they know they have got to come up with a robust business plan before they will even start to be considered.
So thats all positive..The Bears will have and amazing business plan..and a profit forecast after the 2nd season…Here Come the Bears.. Here Come the Bears!!!
magpies said | August 16th 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Also on todays Sunday Footy show the Panel were interviewing Mark O’Meley about his recent signing with the English Super League, they asked him “would you entertain the thought of returning to the NRL when your English stint was finished”?, at first he said No, that the NRL is getting too fast, then Sterlo asked would he be interested in the Central Coast Bears if they were admitted in 2013?, O’Meley responded “Definately, what a buzz that would be playing in my local area, they have a great support staff pushing for their inclusion in Flo, David Fairleigh etc, etc, etc.
So there you have it, the Bears have an experienced NRL international front rower keen to play for them.
“BRING ON THE CENTRAL COAST BEARS”.
Dave said | August 16th 2009 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Would you want a player who thinks he’s too slow for the NRL?
prowling panther said | August 16th 2009 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
if the nrl finally get an independent commission up next year, cc bears are virtually assured of a licence by 2013
the tv rights deal can be maximised too if news limited is taken out
So much potential for rugby league if the ignorant fools see the light
Col the Bear said | August 16th 2009 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
great positive stuff..Bring on the CCBears.. magpie,you must to have seen by now on the 50000 bears supporter website where we got a thankyou from st edwards for their trivia night, we donated a bit of Bears merchandise for them, and they said they had asked all NRL clubs, but the Bears were the ones who gave the most.. and they also said how they love playing in the red and black, we also did something similar with kinkumber Junior club recently..
I am suggesting at out CCBears meeting this week for our website, that we should include contact details and a breif history on all junior clubs in the North sydney and CC areas… so i’ll get back to you on this but then again Daisy was an ourimbah boy so he probably has a lot of info… concerning the Ourimbah club…
Col the Bear said | August 16th 2009 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
PP I’d be more then happy for the CCBs to be up and running for 2012, to counteract the push by the AFL into Western Sydney the same year..
Dogs Of War said | August 16th 2009 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
AFL is pushing into Western Sydney, not the Central Coast. Why a team there will counteract a push into Western Sydney is anybody’s guess.
Another Queensland team would be a much better idea, that will make sure you tie up more League supporters. Western Sydney is well covered Rugby League wise, and if it can’t withstand AFL pushing into the region, then NRL has a much bigger problem on it’s hands.
Dave said | August 17th 2009 @ 9:58am | Report comment
The NRL can withstand AFL pushing into the region
Dogs Of War said | August 17th 2009 @ 10:10am | Report comment
Yeah, I realise that. I notice how the GWS AFL team are trying to engage Council areas on there website, which just shows that they aren’t engaging grassroots support, but rather trying to get Council guys who want to jump onto the AFL gravy train onside. Leo Kelly thought it was a good idea, and yet now he is out of a job, so they should be careful what they wish for.
Redb said | August 17th 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment
The new Mayor of Blacktown also supports the AFL’s Western Sydney team.
Dogs Of War said | August 17th 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Of course he does. Gravy train has arrived, all aboard. Toot Toot!
Midfielder said | August 16th 2009 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
Well done guys you continue to push for a team that suits you … bring up every little bit of evidence why it should come back…. and never once look at the bigger picture of TV how to best improve TV ratimgs, fight the AFL push in QLD, and grow RL in what advertisers say is already a very mature market in the CC and Sydney for RL…
Never let your desire get in the way of the facts … that will grow RL … just bring back something you guys want and do the Emu thing about becoming a national and growing game…
Just in case you have not read the papers the AFL are spending over 200 million dollars to grow there game nationally and will have the equal number of teams playing in Southern Queensland to RL and will be spending about 100 million there … but lets forget that … it’s totaly inimportant … WE WANT OUR TEAM… also just for the record the AFL have a few times out rated the RL in Southern Queensland … but that does not matter … WE WANT OUR TEAM … NOTHING ELSE MATTERS…