The Hughes version of Omertà is still very baffling. Clearly not a believer in information is power. Unless of course it's about him keeping all the information to himself. Another season aimlessly drifting by it seems.

According to the Times online [i"London Irish could follow Wasps and Worcester into financial meltdown - Gallagher Premiership club failed to pay their players and staff last month".

"London Irish are at risk of following Worcester Warriors and Wasps into financial meltdown after players and staff failed to receive their April salaries.

The American consortium involved in takeover talks with the Gallagher Premiership club informed all employees in a meeting on Friday that their money would not be paid on time.

A follow-up email was sent on Sunday with assurances that confirmation of payment would be received by Monday evening in the UK, once the banks in the United States had opened for business. But it was an empty promise. By the close of business on Tuesday, players and staff had still not been paid, raising an all-too-familiar red flag.

London Irish, who have £30 million of debt, are the third Premiership club this season to find themselves in this situation. Worcester and Wasps both went bust before Christmas and dropped out of the Premiership."[/i

It's a lengthy article and behind a paywall so I won't link to it or copy & paste the whole thing. There's no mention of the possible AFC Wimbledon deal.

If the Times article is correct maybe London Irish should be looking for a groundshare at Trailfinders or Rosslyn Park! I assume Beoncos and AFC have a contractual agreement. One assumes there would be break clauses that either party could exercise but it doesn't look like LI would be a brilliant tenant for AFC if they are more or less bust. I suppose Broncos might exercise a break clause, but they would have to find another ground and it sounds like bridges were burnt with Trailfinders?

There is a break clause after two years. This is Broncos second year.

A usually reliable birdie up north thinks there is something in the story Broncos are looking into leaving Plough Lane.

Feels longer!

I’m still waiting for that update on Curran and Situ that was promised! I’m going out on a limb and gonna say they’ve left the club!

All a bit of a mess. Feel sorry for AFC got back to their spiritual home on an upward trajectory then got involved with Broncos Immediate relegation followed by a narrow avoidance of a further drop. LI may not have a pot but can AFC risk being saddled with us for much longer. We’re becoming a Jonah.

London Irish are almost certain to be kicked out of the RFU tomorrow. The London Irish to Plough Lane rumours must surely be dead.
Irish players are scrambling for new clubs, it may be that some will be open to playing for us. As there is little room in Union Clubs for additional players.
I must also say that. For better or for worse, whatever you think. I was told at the weekend fro a good authority that we will certainly play at Wimbledon next season.

Don't know about the Wimbledon bit but it would appear a miracle of epic proportions is required if LI are to find the funding the RFU are demanding by tomorrow. Looking like they will follow Worcester & Wasps.

Seems LI will be given another week to close out their supposed takeover.

The Exiles have been very quiet to their members about all of this. The current owners can afford to keep them afloat but have lost faith in the premiership ability to grow interest in fans. Like Hughes, Crossan is loathe to spend on marketing and expected to fill the Gtec stadium.....he wants his loans back and the new owners don't want to take on that debt, so he's offered to plough the pro club into the ground making it worthless. The amateurs, will never be short of cash and would slowly build the club up again if need be, but the RFU and the owners in Union are the architects of their own troubles.

And now the taxman has come knocking. I do believe it is game over for the Exiles and therefore the Broncos can continue to bleed to death at Cherry Red!

Quote ="orangeman"And now the taxman has come knocking.'" Yep... London Irish: Premiership club served winding-up petition by HMRC https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65797622

Quote ="orangeman"And now the taxman has come knocking.'" Yep... London Irish: Premiership club served winding-up petition by HMRC https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65797622

London Irish. Gone. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65819546 London Irish have been suspended from the Premiership after missing a deadline to pay players and staff. The club, who were given until Tuesday to complete a takeover or risk being suspended, will not be allowed to play in any league next season.

London Irish. Gone. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65819546 London Irish have been suspended from the Premiership after missing a deadline to pay players and staff. The club, who were given until Tuesday to complete a takeover or risk being suspended, will not be allowed to play in any league next season.

All very sad, but as OM says, RU has been living beyond its means for most of the years since they went (officially) professional. Now our glorious government has brought in Ralph to apply the quietus!!

Ralph Rimmer savior of Rugby Union. I am sure his appointment went down well in the Premiership clubs.
Surely Gus MacKay could do an even better job, he has experience of the Union game at Worcester and that has worked out well!

If we are still looking for a 2nd Asst Coach, part time or otherwise, Les Kiss appears to be at a lose end & might fancy a return. Even after 20 odd years, sure he has something to offer.

Real shame for the Exiles fans, a mate of mine followed them all over, had a son who played in their academy ( he actually switched to ours when we were at the Stoop for a couple of years before going to uni) , he even met his wife at a Exiles game up North.
Although he’s living over in Derry now he keeps an eye on how they’re doing - he must be very sad.

I guess with the Irish demise we will continue at Plough Lane despite it's unavailability. I note the Broncos scholars fixture vs Newcastle Thunder is now to be played on the 17/6 at Ealing Trailfinders rather than at Richmond Athletic Ground. I make that 5 grounds we will have used to fulfil home fixtures this season across First team, Women, Reserves, Academy and Scholars team.

That must be worth an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, surely?

There’s plenty of time left this season to add a few more grounds to the list!

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -worcester Interesting comments from Mike Eccles- I would imagine IF it is an opportunity to bring in a few more fans I’d expect Midlands to make more of it than us…..

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -worcester Interesting comments from Mike Eccles- I would imagine IF it is an opportunity to bring in a few more fans I’d expect Midlands to make more of it than us…..

Eccles comments hark back to what Danny Ward said when he left the club. But if rugby league desperately needs a detailed strategic plan for London then why aren't Broncos taking the lead in creating it ?

Now that IS the question.