League: Homing in on an empty feeling for Warriors fans

Bevan Donovan. Photo / Doug Sherring

Michael Burgess talked to some long-time loyal but disgruntled Warriors fans on their likely enforced move to Eden Park.

Bevan Donovan

Despite a rugby union background, Donovan discovered league in 2003 and has been hooked ever since. He and his wife have been Warriors members for more than a decade.

"I love the atmosphere at Mt Smart," he says. "Even in the middle of winter, on a cold, wet day with 6000 or 7000 fans there, it's still a great atmosphere. There is no comparison. In terms of atmosphere, Mt Smart leaves Eden Park for dead."

Donovan (43) lives in the city, handy to Eden Park, but will miss the regular trip south.

"I wouldn't be impressed if they moved. Some of my friends say they are going to tear their tickets up. I wouldn't give up on the team but it's certainly not going to be the same."

Pete Reinsfield

A committed Warriors fan since day one in 1995, Reinsfield lives a stroll away from Eden Park but prefers to watch the Warriors at Mt Smart.

Reinsfield and his family have been season ticket holders for the past decade but he isn't looking forward to the impending shift to Eden Park.

"It doesn't really compare," Reinsfield says of the experience at the two grounds. "You are so far away at Eden Park and the atmosphere is pretty flat compared to Mt Smart. And the food, service and amenities at Mt Smart are absolutely fine."

Reinsfield (47) senses the move is inevitable.

"I don't blame the club. They have been railroaded into it by the council. If it wasn't for the [2011] Rugby World Cup, we wouldn't be in this situation. I'm disappointed but resigned to the fact."

Reinsfield will support the team wherever they play but doubts Eden Park will be a financial success.

"If they fill it, that's fine," he said. "There are a lot of what I call Ponsonby league fans. They only turn up when they are winning. Who will go to Eden Park in July in the rain when the team has been struggling?"

Sir Peter Leitch

Not surprisingly, the team's No 1 fan will follow them to Eden Park but Leitch admits he prefers Mt Smart.

"I enjoy the view from my lounge," says Leitch, better known as the Mad Butcher. "Wally Lewis once told me it was one of the best views he had ever seen. Eden Park is so big to fill. It looks empty, even when there are 20,000 there."

Leitch has been following the team since inception and is one of their most dedicated supporters, with the club retiring its No 19 jersey in his honour.

"I just go where the team plays. I'm just a fan, after all. I also challenge other fans to turn up at Mt Smart and make the decision even more difficult in the future."