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Exclusive: Rivals Network Closed Down

One of the founder fans football forum and news networks, Rivals has closed down.

Once upon a time Rivals was head and shoulders above any fans independent internet site out there, however the decline began in 2007 when BSkyB bought the company.

Many Rivals publishers began to leave the Network when, and after no consultation what-so-ever the company decided to launch a long overdue overhaul. In essence and from launch date virtually nothing worked and to top it all, the forums looked bloody awful.

I know Trevor Kramer (Rivals boss) was in an impossible position, but still he fought the editors / publishers corner.

The following is a direct quote from Sky dated 01/07/09...

'Following the closure in hosting all the relevant websites, and a review of www.rivals.net it has been decided to close the Rivals websites as of the date of this letter.'

If you are or were a publisher on Rivals and you want to bring your site over to Vital, please contact me on the following link and I'll gladly pass on your details.

E-mail me here

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Writer: Tudor

Date:Thursday July 2 2009

Time: 11:43AM

Your Comments

A shame really that Rivals nose-dived so badly after being bought out. Im really glad the overhaul at Vital Football has worked without any problems!

eighthsin

I used to like Rivals it was the first proper fans forum but it had declined so much I rarely went there in the last few years.

jackblue

I used to be a publisher on the Rivals Network, well until the end of 2007 beginning of 2008. I saw the termoil from within and like many site editors, left. Thank gawd I did. RIP

Tudor

The worst aspect of what Rivals became was it's forums' descent into a barrel scraping, keyboard warrior strewn gutter. We can well do without that here.

Johnny Baguette

This is the place to be for Manchester City Fans

Buzz Lightyear

It's almost as if BSkyB bought it to close it down.

Sindbad

Sodding Murdoch's.

Johnny Baguette

JB: that gets at why we have been steadily successful here at VMC. We have lots of fans who are respectful and excited by their team, not just looking to spew hate, and that says a lot of a fan base stereotypically known for being bitter. When I joined here, what impressed me was not the visual quality of the site, but the quality of conversation and good mix of Manchester residents and fans in other locations. VMC was unique in its approach and still is. Hopefully we'll pick up any fans disillusioned by their Rivals experience. The site update has been welcome because it has been done in concert with the member sites.

americancitynut

it just shows rupert murdoch not the bee all and end all of everything, unlucky for rivals and unlucky for setanta as wanted them to take more off murdoch

dopeeze

(over at Pompey) We've sen a number of new members in the past day or so.. funny they all mention how 'respectful' Vital is.. Seems we get something right .. and like Pompey .. You guys at Vial MCFC have a great editorial team.. (cash in the post as normal Johhny B?)

Chix

Carrier Pigeon, please Chix!

Johnny Baguette

Join Vital today - it is easily the biggest and the best fans website with great articles, polls and each club has a forum that you can express your views on any subject relating to YOUR club.

eastneydave

sorry for what is essentially a 'copy and paste' job, but my message to anyone from rivals – after the sad decline of that network – that is considering coming over to vital football for whatever side is...do it!
whatever club you support vital football is the place for you for fantastic banter, quality writing and what can be fantastic forums too...
do not just think about it, do it – join vital football and get involved is what i say!

pompeyrug

COPY & PASTE JOB You cheeky GIT, I broke the bloody news in the first place.

Tudor

Join Vital, you know it makes sense.

PooliePoolie

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