East Lothian Courier | Sport | Haddington president thinks 'outside the box'

Saturday, 6th September, 2008

Published: Thursday, 3rd January, 2008 10:30

Haddington president thinks 'outside the box' – COMMENT ON THIS STORY!

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HADDINGTON Rugby Club has sparked controversy in the Borders after applying to join the oldest league in the world.

The East Lothian club, who currently play in Premier Division 2 of the National League, has sounded out the Border League about a possible move there to ply their trade on a permanent basis in the future.

Haddington’s second string already play in the Border 2nd XV Championship, and the first team could be joining them if the move is ratified by clubs in the league.

Scarlets president Bill Swan believes the time is right for his club to move on and seems confident about a switch from a national to a regional set-up, despite the intial objections to it.

Speaking on Scottish Rugby Radio he said: “Times change and rugby moves on.

“Sometimes you have to look to do things differently or just think outside the box a bit.

“I’ve had some informal discussions to start with and we put a formal note of interest to the Border League for discussion and the initial feedback has been quite favourable.”

Alistair Forsyth, secretary of the Border League outlined possible problems to the proposal.

“What the clubs will initially have to decide will be whether or not they want to welcome Haddington in,” he said.

“Being a Premier 2 side, they would add quite a competitive edge to the tournament, but they would also have to consider if they want to retain the status quo or change the format for qualification for playing in the Border League.”

A meeting will be held in January by the Border League to discuss the move.

But Borders rugby historian, broadcaster and journalist Laing Speirs, doesn’t believe a club outwith the Borders region should be allowed to play in the league.

He said: “The Border League should be the Border League. I’m not keen on these add-ons that we’re getting. To go over the hill to Haddington strikes me as a step too far and I’m not in favour of that at all.

“It’s the oldest rugby league in the world and it was built around the Borders and the Border clubs and I think it would be a breach of faith to the founding fathers.”

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