John Mitchell to the Lions

[gman]

According to Andre Bester from suparugby, article is in Afrikaans, but you can use Goolge translator to translate, that Mitchell will be coaching the Golden Lions in the CC this year, with Spencer as the backline player/coach (hopefully just the latter).

What a dismal season so far for the supporters and the team. Nothing going according to plan from Muir, but that is just my view, which Muir won't admit. For those who would like to make an extra few $$, put on money that the Lions will loose all their remaining games, which will make them the most dismal team ever.

BUT.

I know the Union is in talks with the SAIL and if successful will help the Union alot and they can concentrate on what needs to happen with the teams, from school boy to the senior team. There is a light at the end of tunnel for the Union. The few of us, supporters that are left, just need to hang on.

Also in other news is that my brother has been elected as the new president of the Leopards Rugby Union (LRU), which is currently playing in this year's CC premier division. With the GLRU having a 49% stake in the LRU, I know my brother will be more than happy to help the GLRU out and work with Kevin de Klerk (GLRU president), since he is also actually a Lions supporter.

 

[Jury]

Re: Mitchell to the Lions

Hey GMan. How are you? Thanks for posting this. I'm going to be watching these guys with interest next year to see how they go.

 

[PaarlBok]

Re: Mitchell to the Lions

Ja Gman I am with you Boet and share the lions current pain, now is the time to stick behind the team, the Lions catchment area have more then enough raw rugby talent and sure they,ll turen the corner, good luck to your Boet , sure the Mealie Boere can add a lot to the franchise.

 

[Scarfman]

Re: Mitchell to the Lions

I thought there was a chance that the Lions would be replaced by the Southern Spears, or whatever they are called.

 

[PaarlBok]

Re: Mitchell to the Lions

Yep its still there but I think Saru try their best to get that S18 going sooner then later and meanwhile the Lions will try their best to turn their team around. Muir can only coach s14 and Ackers and Hans (co coaches) maybe to inexperience for their liking. the Lions have the most SA U20 WC players and will be strong in the U20 CC compo. Think thats a good start making yourself strong from the bottom structure.

 

[chief]

Jo'burg not having a Super Rugby team??? It seems all possible now. Then again they haven't had a decent crowd for ages, seems all the support is dying over there.

 

[Moses]

Jo'burg not having a Super Rugby team??? It seems all possible now. Then again they haven't had a decent crowd for ages, seems all the support is dying over there.

I believe part of the reason for small crowds is that Ellis park is in a dangerous neighbourhood, my mate at least doesn't feel safe going to that ground.

 

[Blue]

Jo'burg not having a Super Rugby team??? It seems all possible now. Then again they haven't had a decent crowd for ages, seems all the support is dying over there.

I believe part of the reason for small crowds is that Ellis park is in a dangerous neighbourhood, my mate at least doesn't feel safe going to that ground.

It's terrible. That part of town has become a ghetto.

You have to park a distance away and then risk your life walking to the ground.

Let it go SARU. Dump the Lions.

 

[Newb]

would they be able to move to the new soccer city? is that neighborhood any better? may help attendance even if the team is still shit...

 

[Moses]

Jo'burg not having a Super Rugby team??? It seems all possible now. Then again they haven't had a decent crowd for ages, seems all the support is dying over there.

I believe part of the reason for small crowds is that Ellis park is in a dangerous neighbourhood, my mate at least doesn't feel safe going to that ground.

It's terrible. That part of town has become a ghetto.

You have to park a distance away and then risk your life walking to the ground.

And I thought we had it tough when the Tahs play a home game during Mardi Gras week...

 

[PaarlBok]

GMan,s work is a few minutes walk from Ellispark, but they do give parking close to the Stadium.

Blue the Bulls was in the same position as the Lions not to long ago, no reason to get them back on track, they have 3 CC premium league teams from this year.

The Kings have three at the bottom of the first league. Two of their teams played in the Vodacom business end while the Kings provinces cut wood in the south section.

 

[Blue]

Paarl I think the difference is that the Lions just aren't going to attract good enough players. If a guy can get a contract elsewhere he will be off.

 

[Scarfman]

Yeah - Soccer City (great name!) looks like a spectacular stadium.

But if the Lions get cut, Mitch will look a bit silly, eh?

 

[chief]

Yeah - Soccer City (great name!) looks like a spectacular stadium.

But if the Lions get cut, Mitch will look a bit silly, eh?

It does look fantastic, what's the neighbourhood for Soccer City like? Hoping Springbok games could be moved there.

 

[PaarlBok]

Paarl I think the difference is that the Lions just aren't going to attract good enough players. If a guy can get a contract elsewhere he will be off.

Nah Boet they went through a turnmoil the last year but with Muir there it will change, he always have a eye for young talent and coming from Jaco Tautes dad he had some big offers and nearly went to WP but in the end his love for the Lions made him stay. In fact they attracked young U19s from all provinces even the Brutes and the du Plessis (who had a Aussie league offer) to mention a few. To turn them around wont be in a year but need some time and it will happen.

Regarding Poofball City, no way the rugby porrige eaters will want to go to Soweto to watch their game, there are much better location and GMan will be the best person to answer.

 

[gman]

Re: Mitchell to the Lions

Hey GMan. How are you? Thanks for posting this. I'm going to be watching these guys with interest next year to see how they go.

Hey Jury, yea good thanx. Just busy been busy.

In regards, to the area, there has been development in the area and there a lot of safe parking in the surrounding area's. Nothing has ever happened to my car when I parked there. The only incident was when I was stuck in traffic, but and "lost" my phone, but that was because I wasn't looking around me, my own fault.

Other than that it is still a good place to go. But hopefully with SAIL coming in, I would suspect some decent upgrading will take place in the Ellis Park precinct.

 

[mudskipper]

A bit ofa scoop if this is true... So will he then stay in South Africa... I thought he was interested in the Sharks...

 

[todd4]

gman, how much truth is in that story do you think? considering that Mitchell is still contracted to the Force until the end of next season?

I wouldn't be totally surprised if Mitchell did end up coaching another team next year but he has stated that he intends to stay with the Force until the end of next season. When the Force where playing the Chiefs in Hamilton it was reported in the press that Mitchell had talks with Chiefs officials re: coaching the chiefs next year.

Now that Mitchell has made it clear that he will be leaving the Force it is only to be expected that he will try to develop as many options as possible. In 2 weeks the Force will be in Durban to play the Sharks and no doubt we will read in the press that Mitchell has had talks with Sharks officials about coaching them. And good luck to him, I say. I am a Force supporter and I wish him every success.

But this takes me back to my original question - is there any substance to this story or is it mere speculation?

 

[PaarlBok]

Just remember this is only CC , not S14. :

I broke the Lions rumour first and think it make sense for him to earn a few extra while getting into the SA system. The Sharks rumour probably had to do with Plumtree but since the Sharks has turn their season around he look safe.

My own opinion is that John will add a lot to the Lions CC team with his experiense. He wont have to go and poach , just need to work with the current Lions crop.

Myself wont be to surprise if Jean de Villiers join the Lions. Will know in this week, watch this space. :nta:

 

[gman]

gman, how much truth is in that story do you think? considering that Mitchell is still contracted to the Force until the end of next season?

I wouldn't be totally surprised if Mitchell did end up coaching another team next year but he has stated that he intends to stay with the Force until the end of next season. When the Force where playing the Chiefs in Hamilton it was reported in the press that Mitchell had talks with Chiefs officials re: coaching the chiefs next year.

Now that Mitchell has made it clear that he will be leaving the Force it is only to be expected that he will try to develop as many options as possible. In 2 weeks the Force will be in Durban to play the Sharks and no doubt we will read in the press that Mitchell has had talks with Sharks officials about coaching them. And good luck to him, I say. I am a Force supporter and I wish him every success.

But this takes me back to my original question - is there any substance to this story or is it mere speculation?

Dunno, that is why I'm saying this info comes from a site run by Andre Bester here in SA. He tends to get the inside info usually spot on, but he also tend to grasp at air.

If it is true then it will only be for the Currie Cup season, so I reckon if his contract is still on 'till the end of next sason then he will be able to coach the Force in next season.

But it is still in speculation mode, nothing from the GLRU. Though it is true that he is on a shortlist of coaches for the GLRU CC season.