Cold comfort for Kinross rugby club

Jan 27 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

KINROSS Rugby Club is keeping a weather eye on re-organisation proposals emanating from Murrayfield, writes Gordon Bannerman.

Club officials and players were dismayed when a frostbound pitch forced the postponement of Saturday’s clash – meaning a wasted 600-mile journey for far-travelled Division Four rivals Orkney.

Yesterday, Kinross club president Graeme Lungley said: “We were absolutely gutted when the game had to be called off, especially with our opponents travelling so far and catching a Friday midnight ferry into Aberdeen.

“Twenty four hours earlier the pitch was perfect and the forecast wasn’t bad. If we had been in any doubt we would have advised Orkney not to travel.

“The match was scheduled for an 11.30am kick-off because Orkney had to catch a late afternoon ferry out of Aberdeen later in the day.

“But sadly the pitch was dangerous and we couldn’t proceed, otherwise players could have been in danger. Ironically, the game could have gone ahead an hour or so later. But the decision had to be made.

“We were just victims of circumstances.”

Kinross rolled out the welcome mat for the opposition and sent them on their way fed and watered.

The president added: “It was unfortunate that Orkney had travelled so far and it was a wasted journey.

“We certainly wouldn’t have dragged them all this way if we thought the game was going to be in any doubt.

“We are always well looked after when we make the trip to Orkney. They’re good a bunch of lads and we’re prepared to play the re-arranged fixture in Aberdeen.

“But Orkney is an expensive fixture to fulfil. We fly the team up and down in a day and the bill is more than £4000. A Scottish Rugby Union grant help but it’s a lot of money for one game.

“Add to that up to £400 for the four games we have up in the north east and Kinross relies on major fundraising to cover our travel costs.

Luckily main sponsors, A Plant, are great supporters and cover the costs of the kit.

“Ourselves and Blairgowrie are the most southerly teams in the division.

“It’s a challenge covering costs for small clubs. Year on year our costs are escalating. But we fundraise and the club runs on sound financial principles. But we’re keeping an eye on any reorganisation proposals.”

Graeme observed: “We’re down the pecking order but want to compete competitively at whatever level we play.

“We celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2006 and there’s real enthusiasm for the club.

“We work closely with Kinross High School and have a very active minis and midis set-up. There are 50 to 80 kids training on Saturday mornings. It’s a real community effort.”