Do you want Cardiff to share ground?

The controversial issue of a prospective groundshare agreement between Cardiff City FC and the Cardiff Blues RFC was again raised at the new stadium press conference yesterday. Peter Ridsdale outlined the financial structures now behind the club and named the constructor who will take on the stadium project as Laing O’Rourke but the one issue that has raised the most response is the possibility of a Bluebiirds/Blues grounshare arrangement similar to the Swansea City and Ospreys sharing at the Liberty Stadium.

Cardiff Blues currently play at the historic Arms Park adjacent to the Millenium stadium but are struggling to renew the lease agreement. The site must be used for ‘recreational purposes’ under the terms of its donation but if the rugby club were to move, the Millenium Stadium could be ‘completed’ with the addition of 8000 more seats and the space may be big enough to incorporate a media village, the reason why Cardiff is currently ineligible to stage Champions League finals.

The financial and business benefits are there and given the large catchment area of both clubs and the possibility of ‘joint season tickets’ – revenue could be significantly increased for both ventures, and we already know such a scheme can work given the success of Swansea.

Fans of both clubs are in opposition and a great deal of negotiation would be needed to make the proposal work but has several high-profile supporters notably Peter Ridsdale and former Wales rugby captain Mike Hall who was insistent in his support answering ‘Definitely, although clearly there is a lot of negotiating the Blues would have to do in sorting out their own tenancy at the Arms Park.’ when asked if he thought it necessary.

A poll is currently running on the front page of this site and in the forum to gauge opinion in Cardiff City supporters.