12th January 2009
From Dicky - Part 2
Subject to being in the top 11 of National 1 this season, the Cornish Pirates enter the virtual unknown next season in a newly formed 'Championship' league comprising 12 Clubs.
The league has been driven through by the RFU to attempt to improve standards at this level and also in due course ensure more England qualified players. However how the latter will work is open to speculation based on the outline proposals but this is due to be initiated in season 2012/13 onwards.
Although the deal on the table from the RFU is far from a business proposition that I would enter into in normal circumstances, particularly as the funding proposed is only marginally better than now and doesn't compare with the elite clubs support, we are left with little choice but to enter the unknown.
The alternative is to be left behind and enjoy community rugby- a new expression coined by the RFU to describe rugby that will receive no central funding.
Certainly, more competitive fixtures as well as home and away play-offs at season end appeals and will be very attractive. We are also going to lose the current EDF National Trophy Cup [more reason to have a crack this year in its final season] but this is likely to be replaced by a Cup competition against Premiership sides and the Welsh Regions for the top four Clubs in the Championship and against Welsh premier sides for the other eight clubs. So at least for the next two years some exciting rugby is in store.
In summary this is a challenge we must face head on or basically put out the lights and enter community rugby. It will no doubt bring an even higher standard of rugby to Cornwall of that there is no doubt particularly if we can manage a top four finish. At least the Cornish Pirates have ensured that the last 13 years of massive investment in time and money has not been wasted and we will be on the starting line for this new era. Spare a thought for the Eshers and Newburys of this world who despite being National 1 will probably not be in the Championship and closer to home to the likes of Launceston and Mounts Bay, all of whom face a future without central funding and a fight for the top spot in the new National 1 to get a crack at the Championship format.
So, how do we go about this new challenge-assuming we are all up for it?
Well, for the last 13 years through thick and thin we at the Pirates have not been afraid to meet challenges head on so why stop now. Am I a sucker for punishment?
Obviously Yes is the answer to that question. However I am getting no younger and I have expended a huge amount of funding into getting us on the map. This, with your support, has translated into tremendous success both in enjoyment terms of good rugby most of the time but also in pride in the people in Cornwall who support the team all of the time.
Tell me of a team anywhere in England that has the fun we have both home and away, win or lose. We are known for our humour and sportsmanship on and off the park so let's keep it that way.
The cost of the new challenge is the fundamental issue now.
There is a huge deficit between income from all sources and the cost of running a full time rugby club in the far south west. We might be a nice area of the world but being remote makes it difficult to attract players especially any on loan from Premier Clubs. I have personally met the shortfall for many years and I have committed myself to another year for next season to a very large sum of money but we have a shortfall of £300,000 we have to fund to meet costs totalling c £1.8m to run this show.
My funding to the Cornish Pirates Ltd sits on the balance sheet as an unsecured loan. I don't ever expect to get any of this returned. However should we initiate a limited public offering [LPO] at some stage in the future these funds will be converted to shares. It still doesn't mean necessarily that any money will ever be recovered from such a shareholding but if we did get sorted with a stadium et al in due course -you never know. However, at this stage it is important to note that funds received for the top two levels of support outlined below [ the First XV and the Championship Club ] will also be converted to shares pari-passu should an LPO eventually materialize in the future.
The proposals to be outlined and discussed comprise:-
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The formation of an Inner Sanctum comprising up to 22 participants in a Cornish Pirates First XV who, in return for a £5000 donation a season would have the rights and information available to quasi shareholders in the Company as well as a huge array of other benefits.
It is hoped some of these participants can bring new ideas to the operation.
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The formation of a New Championship Forum where up to 100 participants [or more if successful] obtain major benefits in return for a £2000 annual donation.
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Both the donations above will qualify for shares in the event of an LPO.
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Further opportunities to support the funding drive in return for exclusive benefits will be outlined through participation in the Pirates Buccaneers or the Pirates Crew.
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A new exclusive website accessed by these people and also by monthly subscription is in formation. www.club.cornish-pirates.com will have its own forum where all participants can interact with the Pirates management and each other as well as being the first to see any breaking news and announcements from the Club.
The existing website will carry general information but not breaking news or inside information.
The existing fanzone on the existing site will continue but it won't carry breaking news from the exclusive source.
The fee proposed for access is £20 per month. An annual subscription by bankers order elevates the user to the Pirates Crew and entry into the monthly draws which include three draws annually for a two week holiday for two at Hemingways Resort in Kenya, with flights and half board accommodation provided.
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Inner Sanctum [ First XV ] participants have their own annual draw for such a holiday as well as this universal draw.
……………..these ideas are for open discussion amongst season ticket holders and paid up Club Members next Monday. The agenda for Monday is simple- I will cover off the various proposals and associated benefits followed by answering questions. The floor will then be open for anyone to make their points on both these ideas and anything else apart from the playing affairs of the Club.
RGRE 12th January
……and….. Yes for those few of you concerned with my health I am still upset about the way we handed the four points gift wrapped to Nottingham on Sunday.
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