LONGTON 49-5 ORRELL

[Joe]

lol too bad I wrote that at work and not in the pub, at least then I would have had an excuse :-D

[Jon B]

You watch too many films

[georges]

Leaving aside the thought of purely amateur rugby ( which in my opinion is unrealistic)for another time,I am disappointed that there is an inference in some people's posts that the players are not putting in maximum effort.
I have watched all ,bar two,games to date and I have seen no evidence of players not doing their best.I have seen a few players who are not up to the standard required for NationalLeague rugby ( mainly because they are not big or powerful enough) but they allappear to be giving 100%.
It is a thankless task when you go on to the field knowing that you are going to be on the back foot from minute one, due to the opposition commanding the line out and rolling you back in the mauls and scrums,which has happened toOrrell in EVERY game.
Until we can attract forwards that can dominate the opposition ( oh for a Southern/Cusani/Cleary) we are always going to be the poor relations in this league but I do believe it is harsh and unfair to suggest that there is any apathy in the side.
Some of the resolute defence shown this season has prevented some of those awful results becoming cricket scores.

[Player]

For people to say we don't put 100% into are game. I have supported this club since i joined as a kid in the juniors. It kills me to see us like this and I can promise all the fans when i pull on that jersey its the greatest feeling and when I'm on that pitch I put 110% and make sure I put my body on the line, I know the whole of are dressing room does the same no one likes losing especially the players. I know its hard to watch right now I feel the same as the fans but everyone has to pull in the same way and support everyone even at the low point.

Keep the faith and keep up the chanting nothing better than hearing orrell fans sing

[Joe]

Well you'll have a brand-new black & amber jersey to pull on this weekend, give them Rugby lads hell and give everyone that elusive victory.

That one victory will change everything, I'm sure you know that only too well.

[Gateman]

What sounds like a good idea, and most probably is, is the selling of the whole Orrell story to the press, although you don't state whether it be Local or National press. Locally I'm not so sure. But in either case be prepared to have a top class Lawyer at your disposal. The written word can sometimes be misconstrued. And by the way, why has all this been left to the few remaining Club Members to sort out? Where are the old school with all the historical knowledge, and have backed off gracefully? They'll come out of the woodwork, all wanting a piece of the action if we ever get this back on track.

[Gateman]

My sentiments on going to the press about our plight have been inadvertantly posted under the wrong heading. My apologies. They're in there somewhere.

[Jon B]

Gateman,

I share your feelings when it comes to the 'old school'. I've had this conversation with a couple of other long serving members recently and they agree. Now is the time we need support. It's ok being around and supporting a club when they're at the top of their game but the true fan will stick with them through thick and thin.

I don't know whether you ever read the piece in the Wigan Observer on 14th Feb which included some words written by me (admittedly whilst drinking red wine and watching tv) that apply now even more than they did then...in fact I've found the original version, so here goes for those that didn't see it...

"What has happened to all those thousands of fans who used to flock week in week out to see Orrell RUFC play at Edge Hall Road.

You don’t have to turn the clock back far to remember the days when the small village club would be packed out with a crowd of dedicated fans, all cheering on their favourite team as they welcomed the likes of Leicester, Wasps and Bath to the traditional club to sample not only a hard fought game of rugby union but also some classic local fayre.

There is no doubt that the once formidable force that was Orrell RUFC has been decimated by the professionalism of the game. At one time a player would play their heart out for the love of the club and the shirt on their back. Unfortunately now though, the small village of Orrell cannot attract the high levels of sponsorship and financial investment necessary to pay the high wages demanded by today’s top players.

Surely this however should not stop the vast number of these fans from enjoying what remains a superb Saturday afternoon of rugby union and a great social after match experience. Many fans may have found alternative watering holes when the old clubhouse was destroyed in a cruel and vicious act of arson a few years ago. What many may not know however is that the old clubhouse has now been replaced by a very modern and state of the art clubhouse that could rival those of many Premiership clubs.

Surely not all of the once dedicated fans of Orrell can have switched their loyalties from rugby union to rugby league to follow Wigan Warriors or, to football to watch Wigan Athletic.

With the current season continuing until the end of April, there is still plenty of time for those forgotten fans to sample the magic of Orrell once more. And, whilst their current league position is the worst in the clubs history, the forthcoming fixtures and the teams recent improved performance can only point to what will undoubtedly be a thrilling finale to the season."

The past is the past, what's done is done and this Saturday is another day. To the lads..lets pull on those new shirts, fill yourselves with pride and play your hearts out, not for Chris, not for the Committee and not for the fans but for yourselves.

If you can return home after the match and look at yourselves in the mirror and say honestly that you gave your all, then no-one can ask for more than that. You have the skills to win...just have the belief. No more bickering and squabbling on the field, play as a team and adapt to Rugby's game and you will win this Saturday. Try to forget the outside pressures, treat this as a new start....the season starts here....

COME ON ORRELL !!!

PS - for those team mates who you know can't access this forum, print off the positive posts and let them have a read.

[Gateman]

I posted some moot points about going to the press about our plight. I don't know where they have landed. I would hate to think that I've been gagged. All I was saying was that if we are going public on this whole Orrell story, be sure to have a good libel lawyer at hand. Don't go it alone, it needs the support of long standing members, and in most cases members who have held senior postions. Sometimes the written word can be twisted, correction, I should have said misconstrued. If it gets messy have we the finance to resolve the matter?

[Gateman]

Well I've clearly not been gagged. Last night's postings have appeared as if by magic, they certainly wern't there last night, not on my screen anyway. Must admit though, my set is so old that when the steam pressure is down......... Perhaps I should have read today's update before proceeding. My appologies to one and all.

[Jon B]

Gateman,

The answer to your earlier post today about if we have enough finances to resolve the matter I suspect is undoubtedly no. That is why I believe a certain individual feels that he can change the rules and the terms of any contract to suit his mood on any particular day without us being able to do anything.

When you are a multi-millionaire with top lawyers & barristers at your disposal, it would be quite easy to tie a club up in legal knots so that any finances we may have would be long gone before we even had a day in court.

I would tend to be very careful on that front. The sooner we can sever all ties and make a new start, the better.

I've spoken to literally dozens of people who have come into contact with the man and to date, not one has had a good word to say about him or his sidekick...

[Dexy]

admin said:

Although I didn't go I heard it was another abysmal performance. Entirely amateur are Longton by the way

Entirely amateur - I'm afraid you are way off with that one!!!

There are hardly any teams in Midlands 1 that are entirely amateur - Longton certainly aren't one of them. Most clubs have overseas players which they pay to come over as well as attracting more local players.

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to put a competitive squad together - just takes good organisation a professional approach and a good backroom staff.

[Joe]

Very true Dexy. I was just going off what I read in their 'Five Year Strategic Plan' where they state their players pay to play

[Dexy]

Everyone has one of those plans and they always read very traditionally - players play for the love of the club etc etc..However the reality is that 90% of clubs at level 5 (some at level 6) work on a match bonus etc etc. I've heard of lump 4 and 5 figure sums being paid to lure a player at that level.

I come from a small town club, but we have a good infrastructure. We don't have enough Youth coming through but attract local players through our ambition and organisation. They see us bringing in overseas players and others and want to play for the club.

We don't overstretch ourselves and ensure there is enough sponsorship etc in place to cover the expense. We have a large mini section who support the senior section both financially and in person at the weekend. They attract more players/parents as a direct result of the senior side's success. (so they say!!)

We don't have one huge sponsor that we rely on who could pull the rug from beneath, but a tiered sponsorship structure. The players understand the importance of wearing the right sponsors kit - chatting in the clubhouse etc - as this is where their win bonus comes from.

[phanlon]

Thought i would try and put my 2 pennies worth in.......

Personally I could never, ever question the players commitment to the Black & Amber. As someone who played at school (an regrets not taking it further) i know I would sell my family for the chance to step out in club colours, even just once. The guys give their all and I respect any player who puts their body on the line for a club.

I think what the team misses is experience, someone who has been through this, it must be hell coming out for a match with the prospect of another defeat looming. I dont think any club in the Guinness Prem could survive after loosing a complete team overnight. It takes time to adjust and thats not possible when it happens season on season.

Take my "other" team Munster, we won the HC through grit and team spirit. Anthony Foley played in the first ever HC and has lost in 2 finals. Most of the team have been at the club 10 years or more and when the chips are down they know what is required to turn it around.

Longton may be amateur but i can imagine they have been playing together as a unit a good few years now and know each other inside out.