THE HERALD REPORTS
Supporters’ club calls for SRU to back coach Lineen

KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer March 30 2006

Glasgow Warriors supporters yesterday demanded that the Scottish Rugby Union keeps its promise to give Sean Lineen, the new head coach, all the resources necessary to make the team successful.
Lineen was named on Tuesday as the successor to Hugh Campbell, who was sacked by the SRU after a miserable season in which Glasgow have lost 15 of their 20 competitive matches.
Gordon McKie, the SRU chief executive, denied there was any favouritism towards Edinburgh over Glasgow, after confirming that Lineen had been among a dozen candidates rejected for the head coach's post at the Gunners, and said the SRU hoped to make the Warriors stronger and more successful.
Scott Hamilton, chairman of the newly-formed Glasgow Warriors Supporters' Club, who claimed much of the team's plight was down to Murrayfield, said yesterday: "It was good to hear Gordon McKie speaking positively about making the Warriors stronger and more successful in the future.
"However, in order to make progress, the SRU and Glasgow Rugby are going to have to take action to give Sean the tools he needs to do the job.
"That means securing Glasgow a regular home ground, both next season and for the long-term. It also means making sure that any problems with practical arrangements, such as governance and financing off the field, are addressed to prevent them affecting performances on the field.
"Most importantly the SRU will also need to ensure that the Warriors squad and coaching team are strong enough to compete consistently and to help ensure players reach their full potential for the Warriors and for Scotland."
In terms of infrastructure, the Warriors have become the poor relations among Scotland's three professional teams but McKie said this week that a decision on where they would play next season could be expected within weeks.
While he did not rule out a return to their former Hughenden home, he said the main options appeared to be continuing to use Partick Thistle's Firhill or moving to Old Anniesland, home of Scottish Premiership champions Glasgow Hawks.
The supporters group has also indicated a desire to be represented on the proposed new management board that the SRU intends to introduce.
Meanwhile, Jon Petrie, the Glasgow captain, admitted that the Warriors players were responsible for Campbell's departure but said he believes a shake-up was needed.
"It's been very frustrating. I could accept it more if I knew we were a bad team, but we as players need to take responsibility for what has happened.
It is an opportunity to make a fresh start.
"I have the greatest respect for Hugh, but things had become a bit stale and it's possibly a good time for a change.
"The fresh enthusiasm and impetus that Sean is going to bring can work wonders immediately, as has been proved with the national set-up with Frank Hadden coming in there," added Petrie.

This article was posted on 30-Mar-2006, 07:38 by Hugh Barrow.