Next season and beyond

[SLC]

Joe if you are going to take the anvils position shouldnt you be in SLC3 next year?Seeing as they were relegated.Actually, as they folded, shouldnt that be SLC4?
BTW John Rigby or Aspull? I cant believe there is even a debate

[strebor48]

I am not sure aspull or any other club would have been right but John rigby definately not no grass to winter train on and no clubhouse nothing for the first team or kids after matches

[Tom]

I dont see why we need to drag local rugby league clubs into this debate.

Firstly, in the whole parents do behave well on the touchlines, there are a lot of committed and good people involved in local rugby league and sweeping generalisations dont help anyone. Remember that in orrell, st.james had their limited facitilities taken away from them by the owner for housing, yet still manage to run successfully teams from under 8's through to open age, providing players for super league academies, playing at a number of different venues and training all over the borough, but coming back to the same club after games for the social side of things. St.James is a very good club in my opinion as are others in the wigan area. Lets not start having a go at them just because theres trouble ath' mill. Anyway Keith I thought you had left orrell, so why the concern, particularly at Joes comments.

[Alison]

I agree Tom, i don't think parents in rugby league are any different from parents in union.

I watched Mike play league for six years and only came across the same as i have in union.

I have many a time seen hostility in both games, but on the whole, find both sets of parents passionate, and this is usually the reason for tempers flaring occasionally.

I understand why you want to keep kids out of rugby league Keith and also understand your passion for the junior game, nobody can fault your effort or the time you put in and every club needs someone like you working for the kids.

[strebor48]

The reason for my concern is I would always pick Orrell over any other junior section. if you read my posts I just want Orrell juniors to be successful and would love to be a part of it but at the present the facilities are not there to attract the kids don't have a go at me for being concerned you parents guests coaches and managers do something about it this is the best Junior section in Lancashire so lets keep it that way and get them facilities to once again be proud of.. If you want to have a go at somebody ask why no-one from the exec ever comes on here congratulating the colts 15s or under 11s I hope to be back involved at some time but comments like your will not encourage me to rush back you obviously don't know me well enough to see I am one of the few that do care and rugby union is totally different to league and is an option for the lads that don't want or would not fit into league

keith

[Alison]

Keith,

I'm not, and wouldn't have a go at you at all, as i said, every club needs someone like you around, be it whatever sport kids are involved in and i personally think you were a loss to our club.
I havent forgotten when you stepped in to sort our team out at u13s, brought in good coaches and made the rugby enjoyable for them, and as we have seen this season, they definitely benefitted from it.
I just think its a bit unfair to say that rugby league parents are badly behaved on the touchline as in my experience that wasnt the case.
Every junior sport faces the same challenges and problems as rugby union, i was involved with Rose Bridge a few years ago when they were running from a pub, with no home as such and minimal facilities. With the help of a few dedicated individuals and organised fund raising, they have gone frrom strength to strength and i know Orrell can do the same. I whole heartedly agree that every one should be bending over backwards to ensure that these kids that want to play for Orrell should be able to.

[strebor48]

alison it is not you i was replying to it was tom who comes in as a "guest" and obviously know nothing about the workings of Orrell you have seen what we can achieve with proper fundraisind and in fact have helped it is the people that come on with no intention of doing anything for the boys that annoy me and yes perhaps I was a bit unfair re league but people need to realise not all kids are capable of playing league how many of the 15s do you honestly think are league players perhaps 2 or 3 so we need an alternative in our area and facilities to make them proud of their club . the 15s are exceptional at being Orrell supporters but unfortunaly are not being given the club atmosphere they deserve

[Tom]

Now you've made clarity in your point Keith, my primary aim of my post was to point out that rugby legue isnt at all bad, and the amateur rugby league team in orrell has had its own problems and has worked through them for the good of the entire club. Orrell can do this and provide a viable alternative to rugby league in the area- i agree

You talk about the exec not coming on here congratulating under 11's and 15's, but you have to remember is that these blokes have had to put up an awful lot this season, as well as undertaking full time jobs and having other personal issues to deal with, and many of the points that joe has made that you have disagreed with had raised valid points and questions. I think people dont appriciate how much time and effort him and martin have put into setting this site up and running it.

Having watched the under 15's for a time on saturday, between sorting burgers out, bringing stuff for the bar, sorting the pa system out etc, I saw a good set of lads with a lot of talent, who are obviously playing excellent rugby due, i assume in part to your excellent coaching, and the kids have spoken highly of you on here. All I was saying is that you have made a decision to go elsewhere, so maybe you shouldnt attack Joe for his opinions, as he himself has had to put up with a lot of rubbish this season, as have a number of people who have stood by the current set up.

I may be a 'guest' but i know slightly more about whats gone on this season than you may think.

[mark]

Some observations on recent postings:

1. It is Orrell not Anvils who will be playing in SLC2 next season.

2. Yes it would be great if Orrell could continue on a professional basis playing at a higher level. The reality is that at this time the club does not have the financial standing to continue to operate/compete on a professional basis. It needs to go back to an amateur club and rebuild again on a sound financial basis.

3. It needs its own ground and club house but that is not going to happen overnight but I am sure it will come about in the next couple of years. In the meantime I would like to think that Orrell RUFC was about more than a club house and a few pitches.........it is about the team spirit ..........just look at our junior teams!!

4. As Orrell First XV are playing at a lower level hopefully it will be easier for those playing in the Colts to progress more easily into the First XV and the players in the older junior teams can see greater opportunity to progress within the club.

5. We need to grow the junior section and I think we have to start by trying to re-establish the mini section as well as seeking to attract more players to the current U15s, 13s and 11s teams. This is the biggest challenge for the junior section next year. There is already a committed group of people running the junior section but they do need some help so if you can help or have sensible suggestions as to how the junior section can grow let the junior committee know.

[Ian Pollock]

Rugby is a game supposedly for Gentleman. When one of your own is in trouble or gets hurt during a game don't we all rally round and help them. They do at my club who are at the bottom of the pile with no clubhouse or playing facilities of their own. So why not up North?
Instead of pregnant doging at one another teams should be supporting a side that once graced all the top grounds in England. I am sad to see the demise of Orrel RFC but wish them all the best in their future and hope that wherever they end up playing they do so with the same gusto and spirit they did when I watched them at Welford Rd down here in Leicester.
Good luck to you all.

Ian Pollock
Anstey RFC

[SLC2]

Does anyone actually know whats happening with Orrell.

On this thread alone supposed club members have conflicting views about which club is continuing next year at at what level!

My understanding as a complete outsider is that Orrell Anvils have applied to re-enter the leagues following their failure to complete last seasons fixtures? And Anvils have "taken over" their parent club?

I was reliably informed that the national publicity regarding Orrell playing in SL&C2 was premature and the application had not even been submitted let alone granted!

[Joe]

I was told we were going into SLC2 as a 'compromise'- the Anvils wanted to start from the bottom whereas the real club wanted to drop to North Two West. As far as I know, no-one has publically said we are DEFINITELY going into SLC2.

[Martin S]

Whilst this is the "official" club forum - it rarely gets any official info. however his is the situation as of a couple of weeks ago, as I understand it.

Fact: There are two clubs - Orrell RUFC (2005) and Orrell Anvils.

Fact: They have discussed merging, and have written to the RFU about this.

Opinion: There is still some politics going on but I gather that in general there is agreement between the clubs.

Fact: Orrell have fufilled their fixture list so are still in the league structure. Orrell have requested that, instead of moving down one division, they move down to SLC2.

Opinion: This may be as a merged team with the Anvils, but as far as I see it there is no technical reason why they can't continue if there was no merger (small problems of no team, and worn out exec).

Fact: This move to a lower league is not agreed yet - the RFU have been asked about it, they will ask the other clubs and then give the decision. If the other clubs in the affected leagues see it as not fair they will, no doubt, make that clear to the RFU.

Fact: Whatever happens, the Colts and Juniors will continue...

Opinion: and since we have few facilities, it is NOW that we need help from whoever can give it, not in the future when, miraculously, everything is sorted.

If you want to watch the future of Rugby union in Orrell, come and watch the Colts and juniors play on a sunday, bring a barbecue and a tea urn and provide those dedicated coaches and parents with a bit of much deserved refreshment.

Hope that clarifies things...

[guest]

FACT: the decision on who plays in what league is only available in June

FACT: The anvils have stated that they will not merge with the First team if they are to inherit any debt

Opinion: I believe that the first team is heavily in debt as they owe DW rent for the ground of circa £1000 per match unless he waives it.... plus any other debts. Therefore I believe that the Anvils will not merge or take on the Orrell name this season and try to enter a team into the same league as they were in last year. Again this decision is not available until June. Whatever league they are given I believe that the Anvils will try to raise a team and play in it. As for the First team they are defunct and technically bankrupt and will not play in any league next year.

FACT: Orrell RUFC as we new it has died unless a rich benefactor pays off the debtors.

FACT: There should be rugby in Orrell next year but it will be a new club called the Anvils.

[guest]

For those not familiar with the league structure follow the link below.

The Anvils last season were in the same league as

Wigan 1sts
Ormskirk 1st

two clubs with good facilities you will agree and what the new Anvils club should be aspiring too.

www.orrellfops.co.uk/