Post by markd on Jun 17, 2019 20:28:17 GMT
Just catching up with some old newspapers and came across an article on National One and Ampthill's likely promotion. (The Times 30/3/19 for anyone who can get behind the pay-wall). It certainly enlightened me.
For example, I didn't know that there is a £270k salary cap. Esher apparently lost their captain (£12k pa) to OEs who offered double that.
"To remain in the bottom half of National One you need £200-250k a year. No team can raise anything like that without a wealthy backer."
"Even in North West One ... players on £100 a game will move clubs and drop down a level to earn £25 more."
"Macclesfield ... now have a playing budget of £70k when once it was double that. They will not pay players more than£150 a game. They have accepted that National One is beyond them and no longer make annual losses of about £25k."
"Clubs around the country are collectively paying out to players every year untold millions that might have been spent on that second or third team, or more and better coaches, better pitches or a recruitment officer, a better gym, something to persuade more players to stay. Everyone is struggling to keep their heads above water."
The final paragraph. "This is rugby below the Premiership. When we allowed players to be paid unregulated, we created brilliant, romantic possibilities for the Ampthills and OEs. And we lost millions on amateur players that might otherwise have been invested in the game."
Food for thought methinks.
For example, I didn't know that there is a £270k salary cap. Esher apparently lost their captain (£12k pa) to OEs who offered double that.
"To remain in the bottom half of National One you need £200-250k a year. No team can raise anything like that without a wealthy backer."
"Even in North West One ... players on £100 a game will move clubs and drop down a level to earn £25 more."
"Macclesfield ... now have a playing budget of £70k when once it was double that. They will not pay players more than£150 a game. They have accepted that National One is beyond them and no longer make annual losses of about £25k."
"Clubs around the country are collectively paying out to players every year untold millions that might have been spent on that second or third team, or more and better coaches, better pitches or a recruitment officer, a better gym, something to persuade more players to stay. Everyone is struggling to keep their heads above water."
The final paragraph. "This is rugby below the Premiership. When we allowed players to be paid unregulated, we created brilliant, romantic possibilities for the Ampthills and OEs. And we lost millions on amateur players that might otherwise have been invested in the game."
Food for thought methinks.