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Llanelli's Stuart Gallacher
"It's all down to the politics that governs our game."
 real 14k

Wednesday, 21 February, 2001, 18:52 GMT
Gallacher slams archaic WRU
Ebbw Vale's Richard Smith
The inclusion of Ebbw Vale has angered Gallacher
Llanelli chief executive Stuart Gallacher has branded the Welsh Rugby Union as "archaic" and believes the general committee is not competent to govern the professional game in Wales.

His comments follow the general committee's decision to increase the Welsh contingent in the newly formed Celtic League from eight to nine clubs.


My axe is with the WRU - they are certainly not fit to govern the professional game in Wales
  Stuart Gallacher
The 15-team competition - involving two Scottish districts, four Irish provinces and nine Welsh clubs - is due to start in August.

But Gallagher claims all the clubs were told by the WRU last season that only eight Welsh clubs would be involved in a new Celtic League.

Politics

"As chief executive of this club, I based my business plan and future funding on that statement," he said.

"Now we find an about-turn by the general committee. As far as I'm concerned it's a laughing stock.

"What appals me is that it hasn't been done for the right reasons. It's all down to the politics that unfortunately governs our game in Wales.

"If this isn't a reason for bringing in a management board to run the professional game in Wales and to get us away from the archaic general committee structure, then God knows what is."

Strong words

The original intention was to admit the top eight Welsh clubs from this season's Welsh/Scottish League into the Celtic League, but since Ebbw Vale currently lie in ninth place Gallacher believes the WRU have made an unjustifiable exception.

"I'm sure that is the major reason why this decision was taken.

"I'd welcome Ebbw Vale into any Celtic League, they're a good club and always have been.

"My axe is with the WRU - they are certainly not fit to govern the professional game in Wales. These are strong words, but someone has to say them.

"Although they have done many good things in the game, the professional game has to move forward. We are going to be held back if we keep on making decisions for political reasons."

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