In the north

10k+ and stem the significant losses every year then I agree no need. But they are some way off that just now.

“In time there’s no reason why The North can’t play in Cumbria, Sheffield, Hull, Darlington or Liverpool. There would need to be a balance each year so they didn’t turn into a travelling ‘Wanderers’ type team but it could take the club game to new towns and cities.

“A club that showcases the best of the north representing a huge, proud region can be a sporting and commercial success with a sustainable tier beneath it. And rugby in the north needs that.”

Rumour has it that Newcastle have been cutting their budget in readiness for the possibility of being voluntarily consigned to the second tier if the Premiership is reduced from 11 to 10 clubs.

Hogan said of the Premiership’s northern clubs’ current fortunes: “Sale Sharks are having their best season since their one and only Premiership title back in 2006. “Newcastle have finished bottom but their six wins is not a bad return and better already than some seasons when they finished higher in the table. Looking back over the past 16 seasons however, familiar patterns emerge.

“Prior to the Sharks finishing second this year both clubs have only made the play-offs once since 2006. “Newcastle did it back in 2018 and Sale a couple of seasons ago before their encouraging efforts this term. “Looking at the average Premiership finishing position Sale are better at 7.2 with Newcastle at 10.1 over the past 16 seasons before this – 14 campaigns for the Falcons due to being relegated twice.

“Attendance-wise, both clubs tend to be towards the bottom end of the average lists.

“This season the Sharks are averaging 6,521 from their nine home Premiership games to date and the Falcons 5,611 from all 10 of theirs.

“The highest Premiership seasonal average for both clubs since 2006 was 9,756 for the Falcons in 2017/18 – helped by 30,174 for The Big One at St James’ Park – and 9,405 in 2006/07 for the Sharks, the year after being crowned champions.

“Both clubs, and Leeds when they were in the Premiership, have proven that they can draw big crowds on individual occasions.

“The challenge has always been consistently generating good attendances on a regular weekly basis.

“I’ve always believed it was as much time constraints for supporters rather than financial reasons.

“There’s also the factor that the northern clubs aren’t the biggest show in town like Bath, Northampton or Gloucester are, they don’t have the generational support of Leicester or Bristol and have more football and rugby league competition in their areas.”

Assessing the monetary aspects of Newcastle and Sale, Hogan added: “The financial results of both clubs aren’t a lot better.

“Semore Kurdi and previously Dave Thompson at Newcastle – and Simon Orange and previously Brian Kennedy at Sale – have all had to put in significant eight-figure sums as both clubs have lost a combined £50million-plus over the past couple of decades – and that’s taking out the CVC cash injection.

“Only significant cost cutting by the Falcons has stemmed their losses but left them with the smallest budget in the Premiership.

“Sale continue to lose significant sums. No other northern clubs have occupied the top tier competition since Leeds Carnegie were relegated in 2011. They will play in the fourth tier from next season and only Doncaster and Caldy RFC represent the north of England in the RFU Championship.

“There would not be Premiership rugby in the north without the benevolence of all these individuals – and also Sir John Hall before Semore and Dave and Paul Caddick at Leeds.

“Supporters often mistake this generosity as ‘investment’ and ask for more of it when their team form slumps.

“Look up the meaning of the word investment in the dictionary…the support from these owners – and plenty of others in the game – has little to do with investment. A business model based on the continued generosity of a few wealthy individuals is not conducive to growth and long term success.”

Whether or not Hogan’s recommendations will be acted upon remains to be seen, but it is hard not to feel that a desire for change in northern rugby circles is stirring.

“The aim would be to work together and strengthen rugby in the north at the elite level”