Albion feel the benefit of meeting with Sweeney

THE Chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, Bill Sweeney, has spoken in glowing terms about his recent visit to Plymouth Albion, where he was a special guest of the club for their home clash with Rams.

Although the result was not what Albion wanted, in going down to a 22-19 defeat, great progress was made with Sweeney, who has held a number of meetings with Albion officials in recent months with regard to the £20,000 of travel funds the RFU denied Albion due to a simple, innocent administrative slip.

Albion were one of several clubs to have, quite literally, ticked the wrong box to a confusing question on an RFU tick box form. On realising the error of their ways, Albion tried desperately to amend the form, but as it was ‘locked in’ they were unable to change their answer.

The RFU’s head of discipline, David Barnes, was informed, but deemed the matter too late to resolve, despite it falling within the deadline for the form to be submitted, which lead to a points deduction and the withholding of £20,000 of travel funds for the club.

In meetings with Barnes and Sweeney, the club publicly stated they found Sweeney more sympathetic to their predicament than Barnes, which led to the chief executive withdrawing the deduction of 20 league points. Barnes had other ideas, though, and refused to budge on the financial punishment that the RFU hit the club with.

That was despite the hard times that have not just hit rugby and sport in general, but clubs like Albion, who have only just got back playing again after an 18-month stint of inaction due to Covid. Now, with games on the agenda once more, the hope is the club can kick on with its blueprint for success - and their longstanding issue with the RFU is put to bed once and for all.

Speaking of his visit to the Brickfields, Sweeney said: “It was a very productive visit to the Albion and a pleasure to meet Dave (Venables), Max (Venables), Vince (Jones) and Chris (Bentley), and listen to their plans for the growth of the club after a difficult and challenging period,” he said.

“Without exception, you always learn more from a face-to-face meeting and to hear their ambitious plans for a club with such a great history, facilities, and potential was enlightening.

“I’m sure this is the start of a new chapter in our relationship. We have a number of important issues in the game and it was helpful to get their input and opinions to help us all improve the game.”

Albion’s managing director, Max Venables, added: “It was great to see Bill and Helen at the club and, although we couldn’t quite get the win, feel that we gave a decent reflection of the club and how we’re planning for a prosperous future.

“Our dispute with the RFU is well documented and I have to tip my cap to Bill for fronting up, allow us to draw a line under things and look to move on in a positive manner with rugby at the forefront of all our agendas.”

Albion did not play at the weekend, but they are in action on Saturday when they travel to Cinderford looking for their first win of the sea son and to end a run of four straight defeats since the campaign started.

Cinderford are currently joint top on 23 points having won five from five this season so far this campaign.