Why PRL are so desperate to ring fence

Mark W-J wrote: So how would you describe a group of entities who own a dominant share of the market, and who collude to prevent free entry into that market?

Bedfordian wrote: I find it laughable when people use the most recent set of post results to suit their own narrative

marigold wrote: Dumbape I applaud your support for your club. However my interpretation of a grass roots club 'in the finest tradition of the game' is one built from the ground up rather than reliant on a multi millionaire buying in a 1st XV squad -with almost 50% changes each season- to buy league table success. Without doubt since establishing themselves as by some way the second best team in the Championship they have now started to develop an Academy and Women's section which the cynic in me could suggest box ticking for Premiership entry. If not why not do this previously? The number of young players who have played at the club is admirable and is repeated in many similar size clubs -but has no link to the current success of the 1st XV. Despite beating Saracens twice in the Trailfinders Cup in pre season, less than 300 people paid to watch the first home Championship match of the season. It may be possible to buy a team to play in the Premiership but it does not seem possible to buy hearts and minds of supporters. I really hope they gain promotion for all the money , effort and passion Mr Gooley has invested. But to suggest this is an example of a community club come good I am afraid is rewriting too much history.

You could not be more wrong... ETFC have been pioneers at the junior club leveller decades and it has nothing to do with promotion. Girls Rugby was developed at the club nearly 20 years and I doubt if many clubs have put so many volunteers through coaching and refereeing badges at Mini and Junior level in order to manage safety and the quality of play. The Academy has certainly been around for more than a decade as part of our player pathway. The club was a pioneer in Child Protection and in the early days of the government scheme ran its' CRB programme directly with the folks in Liverpool before it was more widely adopted by clubs . The club has had community programmes in place again for 20 years with trained volunteers working in schools across the area over the past 10 years this has been extended as the club grew.

Ask Ben Ward how long he has been with club... you might be surprised. He was an outstanding player for us as a young man and now is our Director of Rugby... I see that as home grown talent and clear demonstration of the clubs spirit. Sure there is player rotation and very many players have come to us and been developed going onto to other clubs at all levels including the premiership why is this a bad thing? Some won't meet the clubs requirements or find the competition for shirts too challenging and move on. Others thrive and the results of this can be seen in results. There are hordes of rugby clubs in the area and this undoubtedly dilutes attendances as do all the other distractions like football etc. Remember too that three other much high profile clubs have been our competition during our journey - Richmond, Rosslyn Park and London Scottish who all played at the highest level back when we were running in the mud of Horsenden Hill.

I'm am being a little defensive here, but it is all to easy to misjudge situations when you don't have the information. Another point to make is that MG is no mans fool. If he had wanted a premiership team 20 odd years ago there were plenty of clubs that would have been far better options! What has happened is down to sweat, effort and ambition, with a lot of careful planning and a commitment to be the best we can be.

HTH              

Camquin wrote: PRL are not a cartel. If they were it would be illegal. I believe this has been decided in court, when challenged by Rotherham and Londn Welsh.

Gerg  all Championship clubs receive the figures for all Championship matches. A work colleague is closely involved with one of the clubs.