| Subject: Some thoughts |
Author:
Mark D
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Date Posted: "Fri, Apr 15 2011, 21:22:29 GMT"
We are reaching the end of a disappointing season and there are a number of things I would like to say.
1. I am sorry to see Ian Smith depart. I sincerely hope that it was his choice and that some of the vitriolic personal attacks made on this board were not a factor in that decision. Many have expressed their thanks and memories of his time in charge and I would like to add mine. Whilst lifting a trophy at Twickenham was not something I had ever really considered for Moseley in my lifetime, it was a genuinely thrilling day; in my view, however, the most important result in his time was actually the defeat of Exeter in the infamous ‘double header’ which not only put paid to Exeter’s title hopes and took Moseley to Twickenham, it was an invaluable 5 points which took Mose to the brink of safety in the relegation restructuring year. In his time as Head Coach, Mose often punched above their weight and at times played some beautifully crafted rugby (think Andy Binns’ try at Twickenham).
Last season under Smith & Caskie, Mose amassed well in excess of 40 points – sadly not quite enough to get out of Pool C, but a highly creditable performance. Yes, the play-offs last season were too close for comfort but the season was a broadly successful one on the pitch with 10 wins.
This season, Mose have rarely looked anything other than Pool C material. What was most disturbing in my view was that, at times, there appeared to be a lack of team spirit. It certainly wasn’t lacking in the play-offs, but team spirit is the responsibility of both the team and the coaches and if there were players or coaches causing divisions then it needed to be stamped out more quickly than it was.
The Glos link, in which Smith was instrumental, worked well for a couple of years. It was meant to last three years (the first being not overly satisfactory) before Mose went full-time/stood on their two feet. That is essentially what happened this season and, arguably, Mose and its budget found its own level. I don’t know who’s idea it was to have a Moseley pack, but it certainly paid big dividends.
I do not know whether Smith’s departure will be beneficial – I will reserve judgment until I see who the replacement is and what improvement there is.
Who should it be? How about the England 7s coach with John White as back up if he keeps the 7s job and is away on occasions? Whoever it is needs to do the sort of job that Bester has done at Roth. The budget is not likely to grow miraculously and it is a case of making the most of what you’ve got.
2. The stand needs to be built. At Bournbrook, no bar meant practically no income. At Billesley, the bar has enabled progress on the pitch because it has brought income which has helped the club to run at broadly break even (with no little help from Dave Warren). Finding the finance to build it is tough in any environment, let alone the deepest recession since the 1930s, but this is the most likely way that the club can move forward financially and needs to happen. Donny had lottery funding for Castle Park, but the lottery seems pushed towards the Olympics. Edgbaston was rebuilt with a large loan from the Council, but that was an economic loan as Test matches and ODIs bring substantial revenue to the city – sadly, Moseley are not going to do that in the near future.
3. The club would not exist without the likes of Dave Warren, Alan Adam and co. For people to hold opinions about them is one thing, but the lack of gratefulness from some beggars belief. I believe that if someone with the ability to invest in the club came forward tomorrow, they would be welcomed with open arms. Rugby, and Moseley in particular, needs people like this.
4. We all want the best for Moseley, but when people criticise they need to be constructive about it. “Smith out”, “Adam out”, just doesn’t cut it and puts people off both the message board and the club. I would never want to stop debate, but it would be great if the level of debate were raised a level or two and got above the personal attacks of which some are so fond. It is interesting how the AGM is always conducted in a civilised manner – let’s try to keep the board that way too.
5. Apologies for the length of this missive.
Come on Mose!
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