Cornish Pirates must get chance to make big-time

TOMORROW is judgement day in Truro, when Cornwall county council will decide whether to approve funding for the creation of a stadium on the outskirts of the city.

The prosperity of an English rugby heartland lies in the balance. A ‘Yes’ vote could signal lift-off for Cornish ambitions. A ‘No’ vote would snuff out any meaningful hope of the far South West being represented at the pinnacle of the domestic game.

A lot of people have dedicated many years to the Stadium for Cornwall vision but without an injection of public money, the consensus is that the proposed stadium at Three-milestone will never be realised.

There are modest initial intentions; an arena to hold 6,000 people, with the option to increase capacity to 10,000 — to be shared by Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC.

The rugby club lie fourth in the Championship, far behind promoted Bristol, but the go- ahead for a new ground could be the catalyst they need to reach for the stars.

Not so long ago, Cornwall would bring tens of thousands of fans — the so-called Trelawny’s Army — with them to Twickenham for their appearances in the county championship final. Their visits to HQ in recent years haven’t attracted the numbers of old, but rugby retains its place in the affections of the region’s public.

Imagine, a Cornwall-Devon rivalry in the Premiership; Pirates versus Chiefs. That would be a passionate clash of neighbouring tribes, but whether it ever comes to pass depends on the council vote — and also on a rejection of the latest plot among the elite to ring-fence their league.

A fair and vibrant domestic game needs the annual promotion and relegation model to remain in place and for Cornwall to start digging the foundations that will allow them to start dreaming.

In the interests of creating a truly nationwide sport, the hotbeds cannot be ignored. A Cornish side could capitalise on a rich heritage, playing talent and a deep seam of grassroots support.

The Championship’s secondplaced club, Ealing, have financial backing and ambition, but lack a platform of broad public interest.

Cornwall need a benefactor to emerge, but the chances of that would increase if they had a viable venue as a launch-pad for upward mobility.

If the council sees sense, don’t rule out Trelawny’s Army marching into the Premiership one day.