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Controversial Coventry and bankrupt Bees

By Brian Dick on Oct 6, 09 11:33 AM in Rugby

Now what to write about this week? No, can't think of anything. Midlands rugby has been a bit stagnant of late.
What we really need is a good old Coventry story. Surely the club that put the 'Co' in controversy can come up with something.
Or perhaps there's a tale brewing down Sharmans Cross way, it's been a bit on the quiet side recently.
But that were the case.
Moseley and Worcester are ploughing on enjoying the novelty of mid-table mediocrity, models of consistency as the oval ball sands shift around them.
Down the road Bees are rarely out of the headlines or off the messageboards and Cov have found themselves a perfect storm to weather.
What to write about indeed.
So in the light of both issues I'll offer a few unrelated observations, sit back and wait for my own perfect storm.

Firstly the Coventry saga. As most of you will know the Rugby Football Union are investigating an alleged incident of disorder after their derby day defeat to Moseley.
It has been claimed a supporter aimed, but missed with, a punch at referee Luke Pearce following the official's decision to award the visitors three penalty tries.
The third, eight minutes into injury time, was the straw that broke the camel's cranium and sections of Butts Park couldn't take it.
As well as grumbling about the referee, privately Cov are also unhappy with the celebrations of the Moseley players in what was a tinderbox atmosphere.
To their credit, however, Coventry are investigating the incident and will ban the culprit. They have to do this.
I'm uncomfortable with references to such behaviour as belonging to association football, such actions are considered out of order in that sport too.
One only has to look at an incident at Aston Villa a couple of years ago when a fan threw a coin at Harry Redknapp but hit a linesman instead.
The perpetrator was identified and rightfully banned. Coventry must do the same.
And they are also taking the right stance on the perceptions of incitement. It doesn't matter what has gone on during the previous 80 minutes, there is no place for such abhorrent behaviour.
To use Mr Pearce's adjudication as an excuse for voilence is pathetic.
We are all responsible for our own actions and should not abdicate that responsibility to someone we don't know and will probably never meet.
As for Bees, I have to make it clear I dearly hope a solution can be found to their current plight.
I like and respect very many of the club's officials, coaches and players.
And as a family man myself I don't begrudge any players who accept offers to earn a living elsewhere.
What is slightly distasteful though is those who don't have new clubs turning up at their current one to watch their 'team-mates' lose to Rotherham.
You learn an awful lot about people at times like this and that action spoke volumes.
And as much as I hope they extricate themselves from the situation, the phoenix company scenario they are currently trying to engineer is morally bankrupt.
Why should B&S be allowed to forego their commitments to the Inland Revenue, effectively without penalty, when other clubs have not been so negligent and may have suffered relegation for cutting their cloth accordingly.
Yes they could be deducted points but in the current play-off system that doesn't matter a jot. Two wins at the end of the season and they will have got away with it.
Coventry did it a year ago and the RFU said that would be the last time they allowed it to happen. Sadly it won't be.

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3 Comments

Rich said:

Now I'm a Moseley man but would like to see Bees survive as much as many others would. I believe, Mr Dick, that the reason that players did not play for Bees is that they were not insured to do so as this is part of their (broken) contracts and (unpaid) salary. It would also be foolhardy to risk getting an injury when playing a possibly meaningless match and prevent a possible offer from elsewhere to put bread on the family table. Far from being admonished as you have done in this article those that turned up should be congratulated on making the effort.

One interesting point that has not been picked up on is that (I believe, from various message boards) money spent in the Bees shop on Saturday was "donated" to players that had not been in receipt of their wages...As unsecured creditors I believe they do not have the same legal rights to this revenue and it may be something else to come out in the wash if insolvency ensues.

Brian Dick said:

Point taken Rich.
It's a difficult situation I accept and not a decision I'd relish taking.
However, opting out of playing but turning up to watch guys who have hitherto relied on you sends out an odd message.
'We're with you but not out there with you'.
If I was one of those players who opted in I'd be slightly bemused by that stance.
As I say it's only an opinion.

polo player said:

Re "Bees Shop".Not unlike a Zimbabwean food store-empty shelves and nothing to sell!.Symptomatic of where the Club is at unfortunately.

No-the donations came from sale of supporters wear by Beessa( Bees Supporters Assocn) from its OWN small stock of scarves etc,the profits from which were normally applied to subsidize away coach travel for the few(sometimes very few)supporters who bothered to support the Bees away.That is Polo Player`s understanding.

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