Re: RUGBY ON THE DOLE
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:24 pm
100% correct. It doesn't matter what the sport (or business) is, massive top-down control like the cap always leads to a poorer result in the end.
Unfortunately RFL is run by people who would have been better running '70s trade unions.
'Level playing field' is a STUPID motivation. It never works and it's not even what people want - great sides that rise up over the decades are the stuff of legends.
The RFL are blocking money coming into the game, turning it into an amateur sport, which ultimately demotivates youngsters who can see they'll make more money and fame playing Union. Unfortunately the morons who invented the cap have too much to lose if they admit they're wrong so instead of fixing it they make it even worse.
There is some justification for salary control - that is, to stop clubs bankrupting themselves. Fine, limit salary to % of income (where income *can* include donations from benefactors - what is the point, today, of a rich fan giving money to Wigan - absolutely none! Stupid!). The other issue to block is a super-rich club buying up 2 or 3 teams worth of the best players and thus depriving the sport of them. Fine, limit squad numbers.
Its not complicated, really, but you're right, they're running it like a communist state and League will end up the same way as they did. F**ked.
Look at the ridiculous situation Wigan have created. Everyone's screaming how its unfair on Cas because Wigan are cheats. Yes, we broke the rules and in normal circumstances that's to be condemned. But in breaking the rules we saved the game from losing its biggest team. No doubt the flat cap wearers at RFL wouldn't care - they'd be delighted to see the sport set back 50 years. If I were Lindsay or Whelan now I'd break this cap by first, offering to comply with a SENSIBLE financial control scheme, then when the RFL reject it, spending whatever we damn well like and just say to the RFL idiots, 'come on then, throw us out'. If they're daft enough to do so fine, start a breakaway competition or Heaven forbid, play Union. I'd rather watch that than the amateur rubbish we'll be seeing in a few years time.
What a joke the first final back at Wembley will be. A 70+ to nil disaster for the game. They should pay Saints to go easy.
Unfortunately RFL is run by people who would have been better running '70s trade unions.
'Level playing field' is a STUPID motivation. It never works and it's not even what people want - great sides that rise up over the decades are the stuff of legends.
The RFL are blocking money coming into the game, turning it into an amateur sport, which ultimately demotivates youngsters who can see they'll make more money and fame playing Union. Unfortunately the morons who invented the cap have too much to lose if they admit they're wrong so instead of fixing it they make it even worse.
There is some justification for salary control - that is, to stop clubs bankrupting themselves. Fine, limit salary to % of income (where income *can* include donations from benefactors - what is the point, today, of a rich fan giving money to Wigan - absolutely none! Stupid!). The other issue to block is a super-rich club buying up 2 or 3 teams worth of the best players and thus depriving the sport of them. Fine, limit squad numbers.
Its not complicated, really, but you're right, they're running it like a communist state and League will end up the same way as they did. F**ked.
Look at the ridiculous situation Wigan have created. Everyone's screaming how its unfair on Cas because Wigan are cheats. Yes, we broke the rules and in normal circumstances that's to be condemned. But in breaking the rules we saved the game from losing its biggest team. No doubt the flat cap wearers at RFL wouldn't care - they'd be delighted to see the sport set back 50 years. If I were Lindsay or Whelan now I'd break this cap by first, offering to comply with a SENSIBLE financial control scheme, then when the RFL reject it, spending whatever we damn well like and just say to the RFL idiots, 'come on then, throw us out'. If they're daft enough to do so fine, start a breakaway competition or Heaven forbid, play Union. I'd rather watch that than the amateur rubbish we'll be seeing in a few years time.
What a joke the first final back at Wembley will be. A 70+ to nil disaster for the game. They should pay Saints to go easy.