EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
THE future of Edinburgh Rugby under private ownership is increasingly coming into question, a senior source close to the club admitted today.

The possibility of key members of the consortium led by the Carruthers brothers walking away looms large amidst accusation of SRU harassment.

The source said: "For some it is very nearly now a case of 'enough is enough'.

"Having sold out to Edinburgh Rugby Limited a year ago before they had planning consent to build flats on part of the Murrayfield site, the SRU are now much more bullish in a dispute over cash that goes to the heart of relations between the two parties.

"Basically the SRU want Edinburgh back under their control and are making life extremely difficult for certain people at the club to continue."

Stakes have been raised by Edinburgh Rugby insisting that they apply rigorously the terms of an agreement which means that Scotland players are not released for World Cup training until July 13.

The source insisted there was still a strong element determined to continue running Edinburgh Rugby and fight through the courts for what they believe are the strict terms and conditions of the purchase agreement.

In reality the likes of Chris Paterson, Mike Blair and others have been with national coach Frank Hadden since June 4 effectively as a goodwill gesture by Edinburgh - but not any longer.

The source added: "Edinburgh have been left with no alternative but to take this action of bringing the World Cup squad members back into our training plans until next week to draw attention to certain matters.

"For example, the amount of cash due to Edinburgh for Magners League and Heineken European Cup participation has never been resolved. As if that were not bad enough the Scottish Rugby Union, through their chief executive Gordon McKie, refuse to meet Edinburgh Rugby.

"The effect this is having on some extremely good and decent guys within the Edinburgh administration is becoming serious and investors are losing their sense of enjoyment.

"Is that any surprise when a senior figure within Murrayfield calls up and leaves what amounts to an abusive message on the Edinburgh Rugby answer-phone saying we have 'stooped to a new low'? How can that be the case when all that anybody at Edinburgh Rugby Limited wanted was to create a strong playing force north of the border.

"Contrast that with current SRU policy which appears to be creating a pro team in London which will do much, much more for the Richmond area and I think you will know where Edinburgh are coming from in terms of developing the game."

While the situation appears critical developments are expected quickly. The source added: "Having never yet managed to meet with the SRU board the representative of Edinburgh asked again for a get-together. We were refused. As an alternative a message has been sent asking if the SRU board will explain their position to us. Hopefully there will be movement here.

"If there isn't then there is still sufficient determination to continue but, of course, that will mean battening down the hatches."

No-one from the SRU was available for comment.

This article was posted on 4-Jul-2007, 13:11 by Hugh Barrow.