Glasgow Warriors chief says sorry for supporters snub

Feb 4 2010 By Matthew Leslie

Glasgow Warriors

GLASGOW WARRIORS new chief executive Kenny Baillie has had to step in to pour water on a row between the team and the fans.

The furore began after the team failed to acknowledge the Glasgow faithful following the recent Heineken Cup defeat at Biarritz.

Unlike the players, Glasgow's supporters had shelled out hundreds of pounds for flights, accommodation and match-tickets and had cheered on their favourites from the first to the last whistle despite what was happening on the pitch.

Biarritz fans were also bewildered at this lack of respect from the Warriors players with one being compelled to ask aloud: "Why does your team hate you?"

This is not the first time that such an incident has occured with boss Sean Lineen making a heartfelt apology last season when the team trudged off the pitch after a defeat to Edinburgh without a momentary glance at their fans who'd travelled to Murrayfield that night.

However, Baillie has stepped in to assure supporters that in future, the team will be more appreciative to the Glasgow fans.

In response to an email from the supporters club he wrote: "I have received a few emails from supporters who were also at the game on Sunday and on behalf of everyone connected to Glasgow Warriors I would like to thank the fans for travelling to Biarritz to support the team.

"To travel to the South of France in the month of January and spend hard earned money in the process shows how much the fans care about the Warriors.

"With regards the players not acknowledging the supporters after the match, I take full responsibility and would like say sorry.

"I understand how disappointing it can be when expectations are not met while the squad knows that as professional rugby players they must never take for granted the effort that people go to support our club. The players were bitterly disappointed at the final whistle as they felt they had a chance to win the game.

"We have spoken internally about always maintaining the highest possible standards on and of f the pitch.

"On the pitch, the senior players felt that the best time to reinforce key performance messages and squad accountability was in a huddle after the final whistle.

"By remaining true to themselves as professional rugby players, they perhaps lost sight of their off pitch responsibilities to the supporters which is not up to the standard set at Newport and Gloucester.

"The Warriors supporter base is growing and the atmosphere at Firhill is getting better and better and this is down to a superb band of loyal supporters.

"I hope this incident does not put fans off from coming to Firhill or indeed jumping on a plane to support us in the future as I believe that we are only going to get better and better and it would be great to continue to see them at our games."