Would you travel to Stirling?
The Glasgow Warriors professional team could be poised to relocate outside the city which bears their name.
The Scottish Rugby Union confirmed yesterday that talks are ongoing with several "different stadium locations", including Forthbank, the home of Stirling Albion football club, as the governing body strives to find a replacement venue for the Warriors' current home, Hughenden, where redevelopments are scheduled.

The union are continuing with their strategic review of the three pro teams, and refused to deny the Border Reivers will be scrapped when their findings are announced next month.

While Glasgow's short-term future seems assured, the squad, officials and supporters may have to grow accustomed to a base at Forthbank, Bridgehaugh - home of Stirling County - or Broadwood in Cumbernauld, despite the SRU's admission they would prefer the team to remain based in Glasgow.

A spokeswoman for Stirling Albion told The Herald yesterday rugby officials had visited the club on Thursday and viewed its facilities and playing area - the ground has a 3808 capacity, with seating for 2508, which would meet the requirements of the pro side in accommodating crowds quite comfortably.

Meanwhile, the SRU's Dee McIntosh revealed that the prospect of the Warriors leaving Glasgow was a serious option. "We have been in contact with different stadium locations in recent months and Forthbank is simply one of them under consideration," she said. "This is essential and simply makes common sense. We would welcome the Warriors remaining at Hughenden, but ultimately, this is out of our control, and we have to look at all the alternatives."

The SRU's cause has hardly been assisted by the uncertainty surrounding the future or otherwise of their professional organisations and, although Glasgow has several rugby grounds which might provide suitable domiciles for Sean Lineen's side, the majority of the available options fail on several criteria.

Old Anniesland, the premises used by Glasgow Hawks, is located within the grounds of a school, while traffic access or lack of parking would seem to rule out such as Dumbreck and Braidholm, on the south side of Glasgow.

Burnbrae, home to West of Scotland, emerged as one of the few viable options. Until a year ago, it looked probable that a modernised Scotstoun Stadium would fit the bill, but negotiations broke down between the SRU and the city council.

In addition, the mood among Warriors supporters will scarcely be lifted by the news that their long-term business manager, Diane Murphy, has resigned from her post after more than seven years. Such service leaves her almost deserving a clock presentation, given the astonishing rate in turnover of staff amid Scottish rugby's transition to the demands of professionalism.

Diane said: "The time is right for me to progress my career", and confirmed that she is handing over the reins on March 30 to Lesley Cuthbert, the PA to the SRU's chief executive, Gordon McKie, in a move which does not exactly suggest greater autonomy from the Murrayfield regime for the Glaswegians.

As for the survival of the Borders, gloomy whispers have been sweeping the area as to the organisation's imminent demise and McIntosh was unable to offer any reassurance with the words: "The review of pro team rugby is very much still ongoing, and the Borders are simply one part of that process.

"We accept that it is inevitable that rumours will persist until the review is concluded shortly."

It appears that a fresh spate of internecine warfare may be about to break out once the dust has settled on the Six Nations championship.

This article was originally posted on 16-Mar-2007, 21:58 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 16-Mar-2007, 23:59.