You'd never get planning permission to develope the site, hence my suggested use. Also, they're only offering a long term lease not the freehold, which might mean that the University sports clubs having guaranteed access to the facilties.

i think this is a pretty good point. how much do we know about what quins ru want. they may see the rl side as an important part of their brand. granted, it does not seem like it at the moment with the amount of investment they have put into the rl side of things. does anyone know who actually owns quins ru? i had a quick rummage, and couldn't find much, but some pub talk i heard people were saying the ru club ower was an rl fan. i don't know how true it is, and i don't know who owns the ru club, but i would like to find out more to see if there is any truth in it.

What investment do they put into the RL side?

no idea, they probably don't which is why i was asking...

Harlequins FC are as I understand it are co-owned by Charles Jillings, a city gent (resigned as Chairman in aftermath of "Bloodgate"icon_wink.gif and Sydney based businessman Duncan Saville. As far as I am aware neither are RL fans. What their long term aims are only they would know. As for investment I understand they don't although they may have passed up on an option to purchase by the RL operation in the recent past. I'm sure some. nutters will clarify/correct these points and if wrong I will gladly sit corrected.
As for Chiswick.....it would be great if the RFL got involved.......and the club looked at developing it over time, but in reality, I can't see Quins RL or whatever we may end up being called ever doing anything other than rent a ground. The only time Chiswick would be an option would be if we were the unlucky ones chosen to step down this summer.

The stand has been listed for years, going back to when it was barely being used after Fulham left. There has been some work done in recent years, there is now a gym and fitness club stretching out on either side of the stand and the small bit of terracing has been demolished. The cinder track (which my old school used for athletics meetings) has gone to be repaced by tarmac car parking areas at either end of the football pitch. And there are two hockey pitches further on past the main pitch.

It's probably true to say that planning consent would be difficult, but I like the idea of using it as a central hub for amateur / age group RL in London, along with the Quins Academy. The RFL could even base all of its London staff there.

This might be worth considering www.dacorum.gov.uk/pdf/SpatialPl ... Phase2.pdf

This might be worth considering www.dacorum.gov.uk/pdf/SpatialPl ... Phase2.pdf

Probably as long as London Wasps and London Irish

Nice one

Fair enough, but how many current regulars at Wycombe Wasps & Reading Irish watched those clubs when they were based in London? "London Stags" playing at Hemel Hempstead may possibly work as a Superleague franchise, but it would essentially be a different club, just as Crusaders are since moving to Wrexham, and would need to build a whole new support base pretty much from scratch. It might suit some current supporters to play there, and some others would doubtless be fanatical enough to follow the club there regardless, but I would imagine only a fraction of the current regular support would be interested.

I'd like to think Harlequins RL, like our union namesakes, will remain a true London club.