‘Haves and have-nots’ in league

MACCLESFIELD RUFC head coach Giles Heagerty admits that it is tough to match the resources some of the other teams have in National League One.

The Blues suffered another defeat on Saturday after they were beaten 62-12 at home to league leaders Hartpury College.

It means Macc stay bottom of the division, and Heagerty admits there is a disparity between some of the sides.

“It’s always been the case, though I can see how it might appear to be more pronounced this season,” he said.

“All I would say is that in every league I’ve been involved with there’s always been at least two or three sections in the divisions. I’ve no desire to sound the violins when I say this, but the difference is simply down to this: there are teams who have and there are teams who have not.

“It’s the same in all leagues. Look at the Premiership for example. The top four sides are the teams with the biggest budgets: the bottom sides, possibly with the exception of Bristol, have probably got the smallest budgets.

“Bristol’s problem stems from late recruitment and that affected the quality of player they could recruit. It’s the same in the Championship and it’s the same in National One, and probably in every league in the country, and arguably across the world.

“If you’ve got money and resource you’re going to be able to attract more players and better players. That’s not so say we haven’t got some good players: we have – some very talented players indeed.

“The difference for a team like Macclesfield Blues is that we don’t own the players’ time. That’s the biggest disparity. The teams at the top of the league get more time with their players and that shows in their performances.”