The development plan described over the past 18 months has centered on a reasonably sized arena catering for some 15-16,000 spectators and befitting of its surroundings. With the odd exception, the majority of Bath Rugby supporters considered this to be an ideal solution to a thorny problem. However, whilst we always knew gaining permission to build would be challenging we could never have guessed the pace of those in control would be so slow. 

There is also the issue of watching clubs like Leicester, Glawster, Harlequins, Worcester and Northampton develop their grounds and revenue streams to an extent that will give them an advantage that makes it impossible for us to compete.

There are bound to be disagreements within our "Rugby Club Family" because the future of Bath Rugby isn't just about whether it has a home at the Rec, although clearly that is the key issue, or what business support is required to maintain a top flight Premiership rugby club capable of competing at the highest level. A key issue is whether winning trophies is the main criterion for supporting our club.

There are those who want Bath Rugby to stay at the Rec regardless of the impact this may have on the standard of play the club can deliver even if this means adopting a semi-professional approach and dropping out of the top flight. It's the Corinthian spirit of taking part that draws these people to supporting Bath Rugby and the location of the club is essential to their enjoyment. 

There are those for whom winning at the highest level is everything and therefore they are prepared to forego the wonderful surroundings of the Rec if a new ground within a few miles of Bath is the price they have to pay to attract and keep top the quality players necessary to be Championship contenders.

These opposite ends of the scale are actually quite simple to support, it's the in-between scenario that is so problematic and I think so many of us fit in to this category: wanting to be a top outfit and not leaving the Rec. Perhaps this is why there is so much angst and knowing that without compromise there will be no progress and whatever progress we achieve is likely to be disappointing. We'll either lose our spiritual home or lose our ability to win trophies.

But even this in-between scenario can be sub-divided into two camps, with one side believing that a 15,000 seater arena is sufficient to support a top flight winning club whereas the other camp doesn't. Without wishing to state the obvious and sound like the lead in a Hollywood "B" movie, it's the "not knowing" that makes all this so difficult: 

• Not knowing whether the Charity Commission wants Bath Rugby on the Rec at all and, even if they do, whether they'll place so many restrictions on any agreement that the club could not meet its current obligations or be developed in the future;
• Not knowing whether the Charity Commission would change the rules five years down the line after the club had committed £20+ million in a development project, leaving us in a worse situation than we are at present;
• Not knowing whether Bath Rugby plc could survive on 15,000 customers in the future when other clubs are attracting far more;
• Not knowing whether 15,000 or more would actually turn up each fortnight or whether we're kidding ourselves that Bath Rugby is as popular as we think.

But most of all, it's the not knowing whether chasing the Rec dream is a fools errand and will still be a dream in five years time. Bob Calleja has stated that a decision has to be made by Christmas and also that he wants to keep Bath Rugby on the Rec. What if the club is fed enticing morsels by the Charity Commission which are just enough to keep us thinking they will agree to a development without actually signing on the dotted line?

We all have our personal desires for and opinions about what the future holds for Bath Rugby. Whatever the outcome and process for getting a resolution I trust we will all work together for the benefit of our club so top class players are still running out in the Blue, Black and White in 100 years time!

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