Welsh ruling gives everyone new hope
Mike Rayer
BLUES boss Mike Rayer says London Welsh’s successful appeal to gain promotion to the Premiership gives everyone in the Championship encouragement, writes James Heneghan.
Welsh were initially denied promotion as they failed to meet the minimum standard criteria for the Premiership.
But the club appealed the decision and it was overturned by an independent panel, which results in Welsh being promoted while Newcastle Falcons are relegated into the Championship.
Rayer said: “It’s great for them. I think they fought the battle for all of us so it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out for them.
“It gives everyone encouragement.
“I haven’t read the whole judgement but it’s without doubt that the criteria is unrealistic so hopefully common sense will prevail and it’ll be a bit more realistic in the future, so if you win the league then you go up.
“I keep saying it, I’m just trying the win the thing. I don’t care if we go up or not, I just want to win it.
“We’ve got so close in the last couple of years.
“The downside of it all is that we’ve got a very good side coming down in Newcastle, so there’s a stronger side in the division.
“It’s going to be hard but every year every side strives to improve their squad and quality of players.
“It’s top four this year, not top eight, so there’s no let up in any of the games.”
Meanwhile, Championship clubs, including Bedford Blues, are in dispute with the RFU over the level of funding that individual clubs receive.
Ever since the new structure of 12 teams was introduced in 2008, Championship clubs have expressed their concern at the lack of additional funding.
Clubs from the division feel reassurances have not been fulfilled with each Championship club running at an estimated shortfall of £77,000 over the first three seasons as a result.
Championship clubs have continued to try to negotiate a deal but the latest offer from the RFU would see them missing out on a further £120,000 over the next four seasons.
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Weather for Bedford
Thursday 23 May 2013
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