Biggar positive SGM will go ahead to vote on promotion

A Special General Meeting to decide whether Biggar RFC will gain promotion looks set to go ahead following positive talks between the club and the Scottish Rugby Union.

The South Lanarkshire club had already confirmed themselves as Tennent’s National Division 1 champions when the season was prematurely ended but the null and void ruling meant they were to be denied promotion to the Premiership.

However, club secretary Mike Booth along with fellow committee members have been busy behind the scenes and have gained the relevant support to hold a n SGM where members clubs can vote on the following motion:

“To promote those teams who had without doubt won promotion for the 2020-21 season reverting back to the SRU’S intended structure following a full season of play.

“This need not alter the decision to null and void, only seek to rightfully reward successes already gained.

“We specifically do not seek to relegate any team that does not wish to be relegated.”

Biggar have gained the support of 24 other members clubs required to bring this motion to the SGM which could potentially take place in August following talks between Booth and SRU company secretary Robert Howat. Mr Booth said: “Earlier this month I got in touch with the SRU to discuss how best we could move ahead.

“Obviously with restrictions they are unsure how they will even hold their their Annual General Meeting but they are hoping to hold it in August.

“There could be upwards of 300 members there so that might get pushed back if there is the possibility of an in-person meeting as it would be difficult to hold online.

“We agreed to hold an SGM after the AGM finished where we and any other clubs who wish to vote will do so.

“This SGM is the best outcome because it gets us our vote and lets the clubs decide. We would have liked to not have taken it this far and our earlier discussions with the SRU would have brought about some change.

“Our argument was that the consultation process that happened before the decision to null and void was flawed and conducted in undue haste.

“The SRU always said the opinion of the clubs was a majority to null and void but that was based on a flawed question.

“They also won’t release the figures of who was in favour and who was against.”