Post by Rich on Mar 23, 2012 18:02:21 GMT
Forgive the Bedford slant!
from bedford new format for next season
Published on Friday 23 March 2012 14:00
SUCCESS this season could finally see the Blues move into the black as the RFU Championship prepares for yet more changes next season, writes Mark Wood.
Alterations to the league were set to be ratified at a board meeting yesterday and Bedford Blues chairman Geoff Irvine revealed that reaching this season’s semi-finals could see them finally make a profit for the first time since he helped rescue them over 12 years ago.
Relegation will be automatic for the team finishing bottom next season, while only the top four will play-off in two-legged semi-finals and final.
The British & Irish Cup is also being beefed up with home and away games in four-team pool stages while, unlike before, income in the latter rounds will also be able to be kept by clubs.
Irvine said: “The essence of it is number one they’ve changed the play-offs in their present form. Instead of eight clubs playing-off at the top there are only four.
“They’ve upped the profile of the British & Irish Cup. The RFU are introducing some financial incentives for the club to take it more seriously and improved the format.
“We will now play in pools of four but play home and away against those four.
“You will be allowed to keep the proceeds from your own quarter-final.”
On the forthcoming changes that have been agreed, he continued: “It was the wish of the majority of the clubs. It was a close majority.
“Now that’s in position it’s up to all clubs, including Bedford, to make it work. We intend to be one of the more successful clubs. It won’t make a lot of difference to us because we will be playing as many games.”
And having gradually stemmed the losses made by the club over the years, progression to the semi-finals and finals would be a massive step forward for the Goldington Road outfit – even though current regulations make it impossible for them to compete in the Premiership at this time.
He added: “The key to the season is for us to get a semi-final. It will make the difference between the club being viable this year or not. That’s the knife-edge we are on.”
from bedford new format for next season
Published on Friday 23 March 2012 14:00
SUCCESS this season could finally see the Blues move into the black as the RFU Championship prepares for yet more changes next season, writes Mark Wood.
Alterations to the league were set to be ratified at a board meeting yesterday and Bedford Blues chairman Geoff Irvine revealed that reaching this season’s semi-finals could see them finally make a profit for the first time since he helped rescue them over 12 years ago.
Relegation will be automatic for the team finishing bottom next season, while only the top four will play-off in two-legged semi-finals and final.
The British & Irish Cup is also being beefed up with home and away games in four-team pool stages while, unlike before, income in the latter rounds will also be able to be kept by clubs.
Irvine said: “The essence of it is number one they’ve changed the play-offs in their present form. Instead of eight clubs playing-off at the top there are only four.
“They’ve upped the profile of the British & Irish Cup. The RFU are introducing some financial incentives for the club to take it more seriously and improved the format.
“We will now play in pools of four but play home and away against those four.
“You will be allowed to keep the proceeds from your own quarter-final.”
On the forthcoming changes that have been agreed, he continued: “It was the wish of the majority of the clubs. It was a close majority.
“Now that’s in position it’s up to all clubs, including Bedford, to make it work. We intend to be one of the more successful clubs. It won’t make a lot of difference to us because we will be playing as many games.”
And having gradually stemmed the losses made by the club over the years, progression to the semi-finals and finals would be a massive step forward for the Goldington Road outfit – even though current regulations make it impossible for them to compete in the Premiership at this time.
He added: “The key to the season is for us to get a semi-final. It will make the difference between the club being viable this year or not. That’s the knife-edge we are on.”
