Edinburgh Evening News reports
BILL LOTHIAN

THE chairman of Scottish rugby's top club organisation today played down fears of a boycott of next season's Scottish Cup by disillusioned Borders outfits.

While concerned about the plight of clubs who are having to operate in unsponsored league and cup competitions, Premier Forum chief Jock Millican, from Heriot's, said he was confident the knock-out event would proceed normally even without prize money as currently intended by the SRU.
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"I think they (the Borders) are making a point about travel costs," said Millican, adding: "I don't think it (a boycott) is going to happen having spoken to some colleagues in the Borders although, in fairness, they have done this with the second team league."

The fact Borders outfits have already flexed some muscle at reserve level has set alarm bells ringing in some quarters today but Millican appealed for unity while suggesting that claims of growing unrest over various issues including lack of prize money were unfounded.

"There are strong feelings about odd things but there is still very strong support for the general direction Murrayfield is going in.

"Clubs will never agree on everything and so far as sponsors coming in (at this stage) are concerned I know Murrayfield are trying hard to achieve this."

The Premier Forum is due to meet again on September 13 and Millican hinted that there could be progress on a club-led initiative to find a sponsor for the so-called Super Cup which will operate when the leagues finish after Christmas. Then top players will be withdrawn for representative fixtures.

"We are actively trying to get some sponsorship for the Super Cup and, if anyone else was identified, we would certainly explore it," said Millican.

The situation has arisen after previous sponsors BT exercised a release clause with a year of their contract to run.

Millican was keen to stress the importance of retaining a national knock-out competition.

He said: "There are huge benefits attached to having a Scottish Rugby Cup not least because it allows the smaller outfits the chance to tilt at the big boys, which is what competition is partly all about."

This article was posted on 31-Aug-2006, 13:08 by Hugh Barrow.