Clubs' Statement on Pro Game Agreement

Here:

Edited by Kimbo - 03 Jun 2024 at 17:21

KnightsBoy wrote: What does the removal from the professional game structure mean? Relegation too Nat 1? Or lower?

Disappointingly, it has always felt like it would end in a position similar to this. I have seen / read nothing from the RFU proposals that doesn't look to maintain the "status quo" for the Premiership clubs and nothing to properly resolve the structure between the Premiership and the rest of the game.

BE,

Edited by Sid James - 04 Jun 2024 at 09:37

Sid James wrote: BE, The game is not finished, it is thriving quite nicely in the National Leagues and below. The Championship Clubs need to face reality. The RFU are not interested in the Championship and the sooner you all realise that and join the National leagues the better. We need to cut the Premiership adrift, wait for the Clubs to go bankrupt as they try to keep up with the French and, watch it implode from afar.......  If the National Leagues were expanded to take in Championship Clubs and, all of the Regional Leagues, think of the power that the National Leagues would have. We could tell Twickers where to shove it!

Edited by FHLH - 04 Jun 2024 at 10:49

The Championship clubs say £4m is not enough, a very reasonable position. But how much would be enough? Are they asking for £10m (also reasonable in my view) or £25m (not reasonable in my view)?

Agree with Sid & FHLH.

Edited by WILD BOAR 1 - 04 Jun 2024 at 11:05

"What does the removal from the professional game structure mean?"

Speaking from the level 6 (grassroots) rugby clubs, many of us do not have a wages problem as we are totally amateur and have no wish to enter that category. It is hard enough funding our excellent facilities ourselves (no money from the RFU enters our system). We have players with us from 6-7 years old who are then tempted away at Colts level to those who do pay. Some play at level 4 and 5, but some progress right upto the Premiership. We wish them well as they leave and only ask they come back sometime and help us out.  That is our ethos.  It would be nice though if our club could hold their registration and ask for some compensation from those paying clubs, for our efforts of 10 years providing facilities and guidance, training and welfare.  That would be a much fairer system.

The RFU point out that 85% of their income is from England matches at Twickenham so they need access to those players. Sadly, they lost control in 1997 by not contracting centrally then.