what will happen next year

[gladiator1]

onlooker said:

Don't lose sight of the fact that we all sold our share to whelan everyone queued up right round the club house getting their £1000 cheque. We are all as equally as guilty as to what happened next. We gave him our keys lock stock and barrel.He tried to run it his way, it didn't work, and this is where we are up to today.

And where were we before we sold the club to Whelan??? In administration & unable to pay the vat or paye authorities. So there wasn't much of a choice really - and at the time he did say that Premiership & Heineken cup rugby was on his agenda.

SO ONLOOKER - WHAT CHOICE WAS THERE?

Had we been really smart, we'd have took on an serious investor 5yrs before Whelan came knocking. At that time we had something worth investing in, and be in a strong negotiating position to bring in investors and still retain some control.
As it was - we were in dire straits and had to accept whatever Whelan offered us.

[Robert Leggat]

I have just seen a posting of a message from one of your club's supporters, and am writing to express my deep sadness over your predicament.

It takes me back some nine years when my club (Bedford) nearly bit the dust thanks to a deceitful owner. His antics galvanized the town of Bedford into action, the man was finally got rid of, and the club is now owned by the people.

I find it difficult to believe that a club with a long and distinguished history can cease to be, and hope that you can muster a sufficient number of people to allow the club to continue. Bedford proved that it can be done!

With best wishes

Robert Leggat

[InterestedOnlooker]

Can anybody detail the promises Whelan made? There seems to be a lot of bluster about this but very little real information.

[KR]

no-one will give any information out about anything I feel the helpers and supporters deserve more info I have already left the club due to lack of interest from the top don't expect a reply to that one unless it comes from one of the hard working volunteers

[Martin S]

Thought i'd revive this thread and get it back on topic... forget Whelan and Lindsay (especially Maurice "we'll do everything in our power to stop the club being relegated - but they'll have to train on the car park" Lindsay).

What will happen next year?

This is what I believe will happen... and I am speculating... and it isn't what I want to happen...

1. The club completes it's fixture this year
2. Still having some debts, but not alot, the club starts to look for players for next year with some success
3. The existing comittee decide they are too knackered and call it a day (don't blame them)
4. No-one else from the existing membership has the time or inclination to take it on
5. The "anvils" are the only one's to express interest
6. The existing committee do a deal (if I do them a dis-service here then it's because they won't tell anyone what's going on)
7. The club becomes purely amateur (not a big problem in itself) and becomes a club for players and committee-men with no thought given whatsoever for the rugby supporters of Orrell who are left to wander around looking for another team to support.
8. The Juniors section continues to battle on - more or less alone - with little or no support from the senior club - looking after the future of Rugby Union in Orrell and still acting as the TRUE community Rugby Union Club in Orrell.

[strebor48]

Well said Martin but the junior section has battled on non supported for the past four years if paul and myself had not continued to give 150% then there wouldnt be a junior section . I gave my all and had just had enough re-organise and come back strongly all the other junior sections want Orrell in there as we have been the teams that other junior sections wish to emulate for friendliness and ability, but even the juniors need to reorganise and new enthusiastic blood to push in the schools I have said all along I would love to come back to Orrell but only if we can give the kids a facility once again to be proud of whether it be a shed or a club we can make it ours with the right team leadership.

[Martin S]

Hi Keith

I am aware of the struggles of the Juniors over recent years - and of your significant contribution. I'll be managing the U13s/U14s next season so if you want to give me a hand you'll be more than welcome.

Martin

[strebor48]

Martin get a squad together behind the scenes that is willing to give time building within the schools and I will certainly get involved but don't hold your breath waiting for volunteers they come forward slower than the execs information

[JJBradburn]

Yes it is a disgrace, but you cant blame our Maurice and Dave for all the problems, some of ot was there own making.
Paying players more than they can afford, offering a contract to a coach who replied to the offer by slagging the club off and its officials so they doubled the wage and he accepts the job, that sums the people in charge at the minute up! They will deny this but I know someone thats seen the letter. Dave Whelans got no conscience so whatever you say in the press will be like water off a ducks back, theirs no such thing as bad publicity. We all know he is only interested in making money and once it starts costing him money he will be gone.

[MHOUGHTON1]

I have to say i don't know martin personally but i have to
agree with most if not all of the the posts he puts on these boards . Martin obviously puts a lot of time and effort into keeping this club going, (along with others) I'm very pleased he's putting those efforts into the junior section next year . The current u15's are a very strong unit due to the volunteers involved with the team. The 13's and 14's can only benefit from having someone like martin involved next season.

Re: K Roberts
some of Keith's comments on here are controversial to say the least .
No-one can take away the efforts he has put into our club and jnr rugby in general, and in my opinion, is a great loss to our club.
Again in my opinion, the only thing as going for it at present is the jnr section. so keep it where it is . ORRELL !!!!

[strebor48]

Me controversial never I just try to get the passion going it sometimes fails and sometimes works you have a great team look after it and who said I was lost to Orrell just need a big push from others to drive me back to the junior section you all know I love

keith

[john A]

is there any news yet as to where we will be next season?

[geosou]

john said:

is there any news yet as to where we will be next season?

we will be playing at John Rigby School next season