We keep getting told how vital it is that crowds are allowed back into grounds, but if you’re a Premiership fan you know that all the crowds have ever been doing is mitigating the clubs’ sizeable losses!
Every fan wants all 13 clubs to be saved, but surely a condition of offering help is that the clubs show they’re taking steps to help themselves?
However, while the clubs have been reckless in racking up their ridiculous losses over the years, we shouldn’t underestimate their importance to their local communities. They all have Community departments that do great work and, on a social level, can you imagine Leicester without the Tigers, Northampton without the Saints, Gloucester without the Cherry and Whites, and so on?
The loss of its professional rugby club would have a catastrophic impact on any city, and on their inhabitants – sport goes miles beyond just winning or losing. Newcastle Falcons’ director Mick Hogan quoted me some fascinating research into the contribution they have made to their local economy – and they’re in a football-mad city where they have to fight to get attention.
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