The RFU thinks it is just a PR problem!!
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Printed Date: 19 Jan 2025 at 19:44
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Topic: The RFU thinks it is just a PR problem!!
Posted By: Big Eddie
Subject: The RFU thinks it is just a PR problem!!
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 09:34
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Attending yesterday's Caldy v Nottingham Championship fixture enabled me to chat about the RFU's stance with a number of people way closer to the action than I am. I was somewhat dumbfounded to learn that the executive branch of the RFU really do believe the current schism in the game is down to poor communication by the executive branch and the remedy is within their hands through better PR. It beggars belief..........who an earth do these people think they should be accountable to? Like all second rate politicians they seem to believe they can fool all of the people all of the time! If anyone has real evidence how much money the executive are pi**ing away on fees to management consultants, PR advisors and media bol**cks please do let us know. ------------- ''The future isn't what it used to be'' |
Replies:
Posted By: Bigmalc
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 12:15
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Spot on - I was at a National 2W game featuring Bristol's Old Reds v Macclesfield. Only the 7 hour round trip for Macc to lose narrowly. Modest crowd and quiet clubhouse. It makes no sense but the RFU don't appear to get it. By contrast the local derby v Clifton was rammed. Let's see what next season brings! ------------- Malc |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 12:37
| Even more out of touch than we feared then. |
Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 12:39
| Usually if a team is moved out of its region to balance the leagues then the following season it can revert back as Chester did. But with both teams now being exempt who will be next. Lymm would be the obvious choice but they are in line for promotion to Nat 1, Whilst they will avoid the switch they will have an even bigger travel budget in that league with most teams in London or the south. Why there was no Midlands league in Nat 4 beggars belief which would reduce the traveling and balance the moves from Level 5 from 8 leagues into 4 not 3. But that is too logical for the RFU |
Posted By: Bigmalc
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 13:42
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Lymm are In a strange position I agree..Fair play to them for performing at the top end of Nat 2 N but at 1 is a step up as Dings from Bristol has discovered . I've not seen Lymm play for some years and must assume that they have access to loan players from Sale? Dings looked pretty good in Nat 2 W last season and have run Nat 1 high flyers Rams close in both their fixtures..I think Dings facilities and catchment area are better than Lymm enjoy and Dings also have access to Bristol academy players . What is needed is some hard information regarding the cost of running sides at this level and the gate receipts likely to be collected. I have no doubt that contributors to this Forum will know more than me but equally likely that the same individuals will understand the position rather better than the RFU ------------- Malc |
Posted By: WILD BOAR 1
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 13:43
Spot on workerbee A bit controversial I know, but I still believe Nat 1 should split North/South, then back to Nat 2 L&se, Mids, North, S&SW, then x8 etc. |
Posted By: Bigmalc
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 13:49
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I agree Workerbee but Lymms budget in 1 for travelling looks likely to be lower than Macc in Nat 2 W. I understand that things will change next season but there still appears to be plenty of uncertainty. What I don't recall seeing is any comment from the Cornish sides who must incur significant travel costs. ------------- Malc |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 14:18
Yes BE - it is dumbfounding, but also true - as per a Times exclusive last week, the RFU have indeed engaged PR consultants called Teneo, who charge up to £5k per day, to try & steer them through this. In spite of having a well-resourced comms function at Twickenham.
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Big Eddie wrote:Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 14:36
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Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 15:10
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Huge conflict of interest. ------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: Big Eddie
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 15:16
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An SGM is an opportunity for the member clubs to hold the executive's feet to the fire......there should be absolutely no need whatsoever for the executive to hire spin doctors and management consultants when the executive is talking to representatives from the member clubs. The executive is spending money the RFU's money with these spin doctors to save their jobs and their own standing.....it is scandalous. I assume they will try and bury these costs in the accounts so as not to draw attention to them. In my view the schism in the RFU between 99.95% of the clubs and the RFU Executive and the Premiership clubs is completely down to the greedy sense of entitlement displayed by the Executive and the Premiership clubs. If common sense and decency doesn't prevail and the Executive wins through because of the twisted and shameful changes to the constitution which emasculated the Council and concentrates power in the hands of the CEO the game of rugby will be lost ------------- ''The future isn't what it used to be'' |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 16:10
Camborne and Redruth in Nat2W in truth have had an easier travel burden in the last two seasons than historically, with many clubs close to the M5. Chester & Macc have been the real outliers, plus a couple of trips to Leicestershire. Next season Camborne could well make Nat1. It looks like Darlington are headed for the drop but there would still be trips to South Manchester, Yorkshire and East Herts. Pretty crazy.
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Posted By: Bigmalc
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 16:34
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Pretty crazy indeed - Camborne will lose that local derby as well,! Prem and Championship should be National then 1 split in 2, 2 in 4 Regional 1 in 8 etc. I'm still a member at Stockport and there have been some cracking home games with a full clubhouse and old rivals. That's what the game is about for many of us. ------------- Malc |
Posted By: Sedge Tiger
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 16:39
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[QUOTE) Next season Camborne could well make Nat1. It looks like Darlington are headed for the drop but there would still be trips to South Manchester, Yorkshire and East Herts. Pretty crazy. [/QUOTE]
CE Don’t forget the trip to North Manchester too (I hope)   All the best ST ------------- Give him one with handles on |
Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 16:42
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Let’s forget splitting Nat 1, this has been done to death and was thrown out before.you cannot have a national league unless it covers the country ------------- So many Christians not enough Lions |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 16:43
| Apologies, I remember Pirates trips to Park Lane, sometimes fondly. |
Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 17:22
| The difference now is that the RFU no longer pay anything towards travelling which reduced the cost burden of clubs. Add to that the dramatic increase in Petrol/ Diesel the coach costs have risen dramatically. What also makes lengthy coach journeys even more expensive is the requirement to have two drivers . Train travel to London is also becoming very expensive tickets costing £100 for a squad of 30 and the problem of unreliable timetables with trains cancelled at a moments notice. Our club has been caught up in one cancellation requiring the team to be put up over night before returning |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2025 at 18:45
see your point Rabbie, but doubt this issue will ever be definitively put to bed. Those who want this will still raise it whenever the opportunity arises, as will those with other hobby-horses eg going back to 16-team divisions, reincarnation of JPS-style national cup etc
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