Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund

My understanding is that wasn’t something asked, perhaps someone can clarify?

What it again shows is that club sustainability is an issue. If clubs are clearly arguing that their off field businesses have been so interrupted that these are bridging loans to allow them to get through a period of no income, then clearly they expect to resume income generation in due course. Therefore why can they not be asked to pay those funds back? 

All clubs have been affected to some extent. The smaller clubs on the list with no commercial revenues who don’t pay players are the ones support should be free. 

And I’m sure those who question my previous comment aren’t really as naive as they make out. 

So we will be accepting a grant from the Government, as we have accepted other grants already, to enable us to open from 12th April with confidence that we can regenerate our income and build a new future.

Yes, that will involve paying players as we believe this is essential at National League level to recompense our players for the time and commitment they make to us. This is semi-professional rugby and we want to be successful in it.

I appreciate that there are those on this Forum to whom the payment of players is an anathema. They believe in a concept which predates professional rugby, where players play for pleasure and their own enjoyment. The game has moved on but all are, of course, entitled to their opinion. My Club will continue to live within its means, respect the player payment caps and provide good quality rugby as entertainment for both its players and its supporters of all ages.