Clubs Push Moffett to the Edge

By Lestyn (27/07/03)
August 6 2003

I am not going to do any Wales on Sunday sensationalising, but the man who has saved pro rugby in Wales has admitted he was close to handing in his notice after the latest farce to hit Welsh rugby.

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Just when we all thought the WRU were starting to go in the right direction, a large majority of member clubs have revolted. Led by clubs such as Burry Port, New Dock Stars and Trimsaran, 223 member clubs rejected Moffett's latest plans to cut their individual funding to £6,000 , from the original figure of £8,000.

The union will now have pay out four hundred thousand pounds more, than what they would have been hoping to. In their well known heavy doubt that's a lot. Unsurprisingly Moffett is not a happy man, so much so he came close to quitting.

"I had to consider my position in light of the overwhelming decision to have the board overturn its budget," Moffett said.

"There are difficult decisions to be made and it is people's democratic right to dispute them, but that's not going to stop me and others from wanting to do the right thing by Welsh rugby in the long term.

"I was obviously a little bit disillusioned - but I'll fight to get good governance and I'm not going away."

However yesterday's result is hardly surprising. Although the clubs want to see changes in the Welsh game, most feel the cut in funding is unjust. Pointing out how much is spent on the Welsh team spending weeks on end in the now so called Jail Glamorgan.

But the latest shenanigans prove that self interest is still very much alive and well in Wales, the clubs still don't see eye to with the WRU. This is an all too familiar case of the pro's v the amateurs, Moffett must put the clubs in their place, but find away of keeping them on his side or they'll be even more trouble ahead.

Is the WRU right to cut the clubs funding? or will the Grass roots miss out?

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