EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN
WATSONIAN sponsor Martin Krajewski today declared an interest in acquiring a controlling stake in Scottish professional rugby at Celtic League level.

Recruitment and wine industry magnate Krajewski spoke for the first time about increasing his involvement since SRU chief executive Gordon McKie announced that Edinburgh, Borders and Glasgow were up for sale with control restrictions relaxed.

Speaking on behalf of a consortium which has already been formed to examine the possibility of buying Edinburgh Gunners, Krajewski claimed such a move by the governing body had long been anticipated in business circles.

"I am interested having spoken to some others about this a year or so ago," said Krajewski. The man who partly bankrolled Watsonians recent BT Scottish Cup triumph said he had been contacted by a prospective partner soon after McKie's statement that the SRU were facing a projected £2-3million loss on top of existing debts of £23m. "I received an e-mail from another interested party saying we had better have a chat. This is something a few of us had got together to talk about while kicking some numbers around.

"If the SRU are serious (about giving up control) then I will be making more telephone calls."

Krajewski said a pre-requisite of any approach would be having the final say on key matters.

"The bottom line is that the whip hand in any partnership would lie with the investor because that is the way it works, I'm afraid. But most people who invest in professional rugby do so not for commercial gain but for other reasons.

"It would be a bit like owning a vineyard, as I've discovered. There's a comparison between rugby and wine in that, if you want to make a small fortune, then start with a big fortune and get involved in something for the love of it."

Krajewski and his associates could work with the SRU while imposing certain conditions.

"What we would want is autonomy within a conciliatory framework," he added.

The SRU has indicated that it might be possible to retain all three pro-teams if an investor would share the financial burden by taking on running costs at one of them.

Krajewski disagreed saying that if one team went to private control then, inevitably, others would follow.

"You cannot have one of the three Scottish clubs in the Celtic League operating in a way that is different from the other two.

"What is now needed is for people to take the bull by the horns by getting the three teams together and seeing if we can collapse them into a reduced club/pro set-up." Those remarks hint at a semi-professional game linked to the Celtic League which Krajewski would be keen to retain.

This suggests more of a meritocracy where successful Scottish League sides might be expected to attract backing which would enable them to challenge for a place among those playing in the cross-border competition in a way that drives up standards. Krajewski is adamant that any plans can be done in conjunction with the SRU.

"One obviously can't run a professional club completely away from the SRU," he said in a reference to agreements that would be demanded to keep players available for the national side on a regular basis. Two other businessmen are believed to have broken cover to declare an interest but, unlike some, Krajewski is adamant The Gunners must remain in the Capital.

"Moving Edinburgh to Stirling, as has been reported would never attract fans. It would be disastrous for the game. What is needed is a professional club with plenty of interest to players, supporters and businessmen alike operating in the appropriate atmosphere."

That implies moving the team to a stadium of suitable size and, while options appear limited, Krajewski might just be the man to find an arena of around 10,000.

Mr Krajewski's interest was given a qualified welcome today at Murrayfield. A spokesperson for SRU chief executive Gordon McKie said: "Gordon would be delighted to meet with Martin or any serious individual who feels they have something to offer pro-team rugby."

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This article was posted on 9-May-2006, 12:07 by Hugh Barrow.