McHarg argues case for breakaway due to discontent with SRU policies


By BILL LOTHIAN
DISSATISFACTION at the way financial benefits could be filtered through to clubs from Scottish Rugby bosses lies behind moves towards a possible breakaway by teams in the Premiership.
According to the man who lifted the lid on the discontent, Ayr president Billy McHarg, the seeds of revolt were sown during the recent Autumn Test series.

McHarg outlined concerns over clubs having to bring forward kick-off times so as to avoid clashing with a Scotland international match being played over 100 miles away in Aberdeen.

He also challenged the SRU ticketing policy for Murrayfield matches. If they were able to gain more autonomy now, the clubs would organise and promote two divisions of 12 teams.

Each club would have to meet certain criteria along the lines of having adequate floodlighting and a well-run youth section etc.

The breakaway group would also be responsible for generating income streams from broadcasting rights and sponsorship.

"Our members are confirming tales of people asking to buy ten tickets for an Autumn Test and being told they were only allowed six – regardless of the fact that the stadium was never going to be full," said McHarg.

His message is that this was an example of cash, which could have been filtered down to clubs, being turned away.

"As for ordering Ayr to play at Melrose with a 12.15pm kick off on the day Scotland played Canada in Aberdeen, the SRU were only concerned about the effect on the international. They need to show the same concern, at least, for clubs."

Simmering under the surface, too, is the matter of recognition for clubs who produce internationalists.

McHarg added: "The likes of Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca and Euan Murray have all come into the current Scotland team through the Premiership but I don't hear too much credit being given to these parties.

"There isn't any prize money in the national competitions and it must have been particularly frustrating for Currie to win the league and receive nothing whereas Melrose picked up £20,000 for doing the same a few years before them," said McHarg.

When the suggestion of a breakaway was put to the SRU, a spokesman said it preferred to respond by means of a general statement rather than by answering questions on specific issues.

The SRU statement read: "Scottish Rugby is committed to ensuring that rugby thrives through well-run clubs growing the game in their communities and offering playing opportunities in well-structured club competitions at all levels of the game and we will continue to work closely with all our member clubs in this regard."

McHarg insists that the Premier One Forum group does want to "work with Scottish Rugby".

And he said that he believed clubs entering European competition as a means of really kick-starting outside investment would be a "step too far".

McHarg said: "Entering European competitions would be a reality check. We need to get the grass roots of the game sorted first before turning any attention to that aspect.

"I would hope the SRU, with whom we have still to meet, would welcome our proposals with a positive reaction. They should be grateful for clubs going out to seek sponsorship and, at Ayr, we've found it possible to bring these in with hard work," said McHarg.

A model for the ambitious clubs would be football's SPL.

"If the SPL can operate successfully so can rugby clubs."

Inevitably, any plan to improve a second tier from which players can go back and forth to the SRU-run professional teams would require central financing and McHarg said a chance was lost when the Borders team folded.

"There was a case for re-distributing £1 million of the money saved through ten clubs at £100,000 each to help create the second tier.

"That would have allowed each to appoint a chief executive with responsibility for driving the club game forward."

Such schemes have, of course, been floated before but this time could be different, according to McHarg.

"Premier Division One clubs, as a group, are more positive than ever before," he said.

This article was posted on 9-Dec-2008, 12:18 by Hugh Barrow.