Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:16 pm  

Was it only two seasons ago:

Wasps threatened with winding-up order by HMRC over £1m unpaid debt

Wasps, the London club due to face Bath at Twickenham this weekend in the Guinness Premiership, have a winding-up order from the tax authorities over unpaid sums totalling more than £1m hanging over them, according to reports.

This was the interesting line.....move along, nothing to see here:

A spokesman for HMRC would not comment on Wasps plight but said that the organisation took "a sympathetic approach to both individuals and business that have genuine short-term difficulties in paying the tax they owe".

'Less you have the words Rugby League in your name of course.

Wasps have been a bit of a basket case since union clubs decided to actually start paying taxes...tho it does highlight the dangers of a sport believing the press generated by the same ppl who sponsor it.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:07 pm  

Reckon both European finals could be very sparsely attended this year.

Never doubt the Irish when it comes to band wagon jumping, Ulster already expecting 35,000 home fans for their semi final in Dublin.

Should it happen that say, Edinburgh and Clermont play in the final I can't see Twickenham being full.

All French last 4 in The Challenge Cup too so can't see the Stoop being more than half full unless people make a weekend of it with both games.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:06 am  

Never fun to see a club in trouble no matter what sport but aren't most Premiership rugby clubs losing a lot of money? Surely raising salary caps higher and paying marque players more on top of that will only add more financial strain.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:14 am  

Just seen this on Running Rugby,

"The new investor is likely to have to find close to £8 million to keep them afloat."

Now that does NOT sound good.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:41 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Just seen this on Running Rugby,

"The new investor is likely to have to find close to £8 million to keep them afloat."

Now that does NOT sound good.

gulp......

that's a lotta dosh Cata !

what kind of idiot would invest that kind of money in a minor (ish) sport ?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:42 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Just seen this on Running Rugby,

"The new investor is likely to have to find close to £8 million to keep them afloat."

Now that does NOT sound good.

It sounds great! Down with RU.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:40 am  

sanjunien wrote:

gulp......

that's a lotta dosh Cata !

what kind of idiot would invest that kind of money in a minor (ish) sport ?

I can only see two ways out;
1- Someone minted comes in ala SAracens or Bath.
2- The RFU come to the rescue.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:07 pm  

Are Wasps still part of Loftus Road plc and listed on AIM, or did someone buy the rugby side off Chris Wright?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:56 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

I can only see two ways out;
1- Someone minted comes in ala SAracens or Bath.
2- The RFU come to the rescue.

more likely to be a consortium I would think ?

probably with some hair brained business scheme etc etc etc

The City is full of them - being high profile London based will be a distinct advantage

it would be sad to see a major sporting istitution like Wasps fold just like if Portsmouth FC finally went down the pan....

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:56 pm  

So not a pan to wee in but sign Stephen Jones and 3 others for next season.