​Two more players re-sign on the eve of name change

[Communications Team]

We are pleased to announce today that Greg King and Tom Fidler have both agreed terms for next season.

The retention of Greg in the centre is a real boost for the club; his experience will be invaluable on the field and in the dressing room. This will be Greg’s 6th season in the red and black, ever present last season with 23 appearances to his name, while reaching the milestone of 100 appearances for his club. In 2014 Greg was one of the starting centres in the Victorious Championship XV which beat the Canadian national team 28-23.

England Counties prop Tom Fidler also has considerable Championship experience following spells with Jersey, Ealing and Plymouth Albion prior to his first season with Moseley last year where he made 26 appearances. During the season Tom demonstrated his versatility in being able to bring his considerable physical presence to bear on both sides of the scrum.

The latest signings come just prior to the imminent re-branding (1st June) of Moseley to Birmingham Moseley Rugby. The club are re-positioning themselves to make customers, businesses and sponsors more aware of their position as one of the leading sports clubs in the Birmingham area. Off the field the club has one of the largest event venues in the Midlands, with the capacity to entertain up to 1000 guests. The club recognise that to reach its goals it will require significant investment and a sustainable income stream. Our new sales and marketing strategy will ensure that Birmingham Moseley is synonymous with success both on and off the field.

Despite the loss of funding from the RFU following relegation last season, Director of Rugby, Kevin Maggs is assembling a side that will offer a strong challenge for an immediate return to the Championship. A number of players have been retained from last season and new faces are already joining them.

[philhall]

Well comms. I am certainly looking forward to next season if we can retain or replace calibre players such as those we have to date. And, without being at all complacent, if the club can continue to attract seasoned players then promotion next season could very well be on the cards.

However, what I am NOT looking forward to is tomorrows name change. As you well know, I have never accepted the change and I never will. What I do accept, in a democracy, is that "the will of the people" hold sway - or should hold sway - in all voting matters - even if that "vote" is not audited. But even then as is well known, "you can take a horse to water but can't make it drink". I am that horse being taken to water and yes, before anyone snaps back at me, I am PROUD to be considered a STUBBORN YORKSHIRE MULE.

Just like the stubborn mules in the last war, who never gave up in their fight for democracy, I will never give up my fight until the Birmingham element of Moseley Rugby Club is confined to the bin, where it belongs and we return to the PROUD name of MOSELEY RUGBY CLUB.

So, as ever, come on MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSELEY RUGBY CLUB.

[kingsheathlad]

Pleased to hear Greg and Tom re-signed, consistent performers and the sort of players we need to get us back in the championship.

[leehumph]

Bring on the 1st June and the name change... #ComeonBrumMose

[southernmose]

May 31, 2016 16:16:52 GMT philhall said:

Well comms. I am certainly looking forward to next season if we can retain or replace calibre players such as those we have to date. And, without being at all complacent, if the club can continue to attract seasoned players then promotion next season could very well be on the cards.

However, what I am NOT looking forward to is tomorrows name change. As you well know, I have never accepted the change and I never will. What I do accept, in a democracy, is that "the will of the people" hold sway - or should hold sway - in all voting matters - even if that "vote" is not audited. But even then as is well known, "you can take a horse to water but can't make it drink". I am that horse being taken to water and yes, before anyone snaps back at me, I am PROUD to be considered a STUBBORN YORKSHIRE MULE.

Just like the stubborn mules in the last war, who never gave up in their fight for democracy, I will never give up my fight until the Birmingham element of Moseley Rugby Club is confined to the bin, where it belongs and we return to the PROUD name of MOSELEY RUGBY CLUB.

So, as ever, come on MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSELEY RUGBY CLUB.

Two good retentions there - really pleased to see them.

Chin up Phil - Trin have just announced they're dropping the "Wildcats" bit after 20 years because it never really worked.

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/wakefield-wildcats/wakefield-wildcats-chairman-confirms-wildcats-name-to-be-dropped-1-7926880

"we have got a fantastic heritage in this club and I don't think we've made the most of it" - words there for more than one club to chew on. For now this feels like a black day in the history of the club. Not the blackest by any means of course, but quite a long way into the darkness.

Stand up for Moseley.

[southernmose]

whilst I stand by every word of my last post, I'd like to make it clear that it is not all doom and gloom and I have just sent off the application for my first ever season ticket. While I don't agree with, and indeed will continue to oppose and protest against the name change, there is after all a bigger picture.

onwards and upwards.

stand up for Moseley.

[philhall]

I am pleased for your support southernmose and yes I did know that Wakefield had returned to their former glorious all conquering Wakefield Trinity name. In the 60s Wakefield Trinity swatted most of the opposition aside with consummate ease - well they were half an international team to start with so they should have done. And they still hold a number of cup final scoring records.

I was up in Wakefield two week ago and whilst Wakefield did not have a "home" game there was a "Magic Weekend" where they beat Catalans Dragons - a French team. The "Magic Weekend" is a special weekend where ALL the super league team meet, somewhere up north and play each other in one long day of rugby. I gather that the crowd was around 65,000.

However, my visit to "Belle View" the Wakefield Trinity home ground was very upsetting, not because I missed the game but because it shattered my childhood and early youth memories. It was an absolute eyesore of a dump. God forbid, I know that Wakefield have been trying for a long, long time to find and develop an alternative site but Belle View made Billesley Common look like a palace. The club shop was not even on site and as for parking - forget it - you would have a job to find somewhere to park a pedal bike never mind a car.

But, as southernmost says the is a bigger picture so onwards and upwards. However, I have a seemingly insurmountable problem and I need help to find a solution. I am not prepared to pay for my membership with a cheque made out to Birmingham* Moseley Rugby Club. I will gladly make it out to Moseley Rugby Club but NOT to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. And I would prefer a membership card with Moseley Rugby Club on it, NOT Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. Any suggestions folks???

Come on MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSELEY RUGBY CLUB

[shaky]

Congratulations Mose. For me, today's the day we start to become like Rangers and Celtic, everyone in our city feels a sense of belonging, and everyone in the world knows where to find us!

[philhall]

One further thought. Is the Moseley Oak team going to be called Birmingham* Moseley Oak? If not why not? Moreover, are the colts, the under 16s and the mini sections going to be call Birmingham** Moseley ****** as well? And once again, if not, why not, after all they are all part of MOSELEY RUGBY CLUB.

[southernmose]

there's an entire cottage industry in supplying black passport covers that don't say "European Union" on them...

Maybe the club shop could sell a season ticket wallet that just says Moseley FC? Given that Oxford Utd will now sell you a scarf in Headington Utd colours (their name before the mid 60s), and you've been able to buy Newton Heath shirts (the original Manchester Utd) for years, it does seem to be that the trend in sport is in going backwards to clubs' roots, heritage and authenticity at the moment.

Belle Vue is what it is I'm afraid. The side along the main road is very much as it always was - seating behind a terrace a bit like a bigger version of Goldington Road - the side opposite was where the wooden stand was that burned down and is still empty. One end's got a portercabin tower that would dwarf our, and the other's a big (and quite good fun to stand on) terraced bank for the home supporters.

It's not aesthetically very pretty, but then Moseley and Wakefield are twin clubs I've always thought (in their different codes) - both former titans of their game, both still clinging on, bloodied but unbowed.

[philhall]

In response to shaky; one rarely see Rangers and Celtic refereed to as Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic.

Their individual club names, Rangers and Celtic respectively, have more than enough impact to identify them throughout the world, never mind the UK, without resorting to putting Glasgow in front.

[Phil]

Jun 1, 2016 10:39:03 GMT philhall said:

However, I have a seemingly insurmountable problem and I need help to find a solution. I am not prepared to pay for my membership with a cheque made out to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. I will gladly make it out to Moseley Rugby Club but NOT to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. And I would prefer a membership card with Moseley Rugby Club on it, NOT Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. Any suggestions folks???

There is the option to pay via bank transfer Phil but if you're not willing to write the word 'Birmingham' on a piece of paper then words fail me.

We all know your feelings on the subject but it's not going to change so like others have done, maybe it's time to let it go as it's just petty.

[leehumph]

I suggest Mr Hall pays on the gate.. Oh wait. The ticket may say 'Birmingham Moseley'.

I'm stumped!

[studleyken]

Don't drag me into it leehumph.

[Richie B]

More concerned about having a squad good enough to compete in ND1. At the moment by my reckoning we have about 8 so far!

[southernmose]

I think we'll get there though (although potentially the events at London Scottish may have put a small spanner in the works - they're suddenly down 14 players having thought they were sorted for next season so will be scouting hard....).

If we've still got decent calibre players of our own signing up for next season at this point then things are reasonably hopeful. We were always going to be playing catch up given the financial circumstances.

Must say that overall I've been quite pleased by who we *have* managed to hold onto, and we must be doing something right to attract the Roth duo. It'll come together.

[Communications Team]

Jun 1, 2016 13:00:05 GMT Richie B said:

More concerned about having a squad good enough to compete in ND1. At the moment by my reckoning we have about 8 so far!

Be assured Kevin Maggs is working very hard on this and we are sure he will pull together a good squad. The "last minute" confirmation of league status and level of finance available has meant the process of contract finalisations has been later than we all would have liked.

[kingsheathlad]

Jun 1, 2016 13:00:05 GMT Richie B said:

More concerned about having a squad good enough to compete in ND1. At the moment by my reckoning we have about 8 so far!

We have 7 on player profiles at the moment. Whose the 8th.

[kingsheathlad]

Born in Kings Heath in the city of Birmingham, proud Brummie.
Come on Birmingham Moseley.

[Rich]

Jun 1, 2016 10:39:03 GMT philhall said:

However, I have a seemingly insurmountable problem and I need help to find a solution. I am not prepared to pay for my membership with a cheque made out to Birmingham* Moseley Rugby Club. I will gladly make it out to Moseley Rugby Club but NOT to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. And I would prefer a membership card with Moseley Rugby Club on it, NOT Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club. Any suggestions folks???

Give me £500 and I will meet you 1 mile from the ground before every home game, blindfold you and put ear defenders on. I will ensure your safe transition through the gates and into the main stand before (maybe) removing the blindfold and ear defenders...

I do hope your postcode doesn't start with a B,must be agonising providing it to anyone.

In fairness to Phil we should cut him some slack, he has only just gotten over the name change from Havelock Football Club 141 years ago. Go Havelock!

[Phil]

Greg King and Tom Fidler to stay as Moseley RFC are rebranded

[Richie B]

Hi Kingsheath, not sure it was eight but with the two Roth lads, Brightwell, charlton, Cheshire, King, and Fidler that is indeed 7. Believe from Twitter Pinches is off to Merthyr and Evans comments after his POTY award also sounded like a goodbye. With Scots scrambling for players in the Championship it may make recruiting that much harder I fear. On a positive note though Preece sounds like a quality addition.

[philhall]

I might have expected a typical cynical remark from Richie B to a perfectly reasonable and deeply personal conundrum.

I have never discredited or belittled those who are happy with the name change - that is their prerogative - even though I do not agree with them. Conversely, others should respect my view - and others with my view - in opposing the name change. And if there are those who want to call my view petty - fine - words will not hurt me nor change my view and I am certainly not going to fight over it.

Moreover, I rather suspect that Moseley Rugby Club will NEVER attract significant - AND SUSTAINED - income benefit simply through their name change. The key to significant income generation, again it is my personal view, is winning on the field of play and that might just happen in National 1.

Of course I would be more than delighted if the name change does attract sponsorship income and if it did I might very well re-consider my view. Moreover, should Moseley be fortunate and start winning matches - and winning them well - that could generate an income increase alone through higher attendances - winning puts bums on seats, bums on seats means income. Even a modest, but regular, 250 bums on seats per home game could generate around £3000 per week, or knocking on for £50.0000 per season ON TOP of existing income projections.

Time will tell. However, in the meantime I still have a problem. I will certainly speak to the office and no doubt a solution will be found.

Come on MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSELEY RUGBY CLUB>

[Richie B]

Not disrespecting your view at all Philhall. The thread relates to signings and that is my particular concern expressed quite correctly in the right place I believe.

[philhall]

My apologies Richie B. It should have read Rich.