![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rfu-faces-calls-for-change-after-tragedy-of-human-proportions-sees-championship-winners-jersey-fold/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_England-Squad-Training-Camp-in-Jersey.jpg&description='Sometimes when you issue warnings and they get ignored and then the reality hits you, the pressure for change becomes very strong" - Simon Halliday Rugby Football Union chiefs will today face demands for change after being accused of falling asleep at the wheel as Jersey Reds became the fourth major club to fold inside a year. Four months after winning English rugby's second tier and a fortnight after crushing Bath in the Premiership Cup, the Channel Islanders joined Worcester, Wasps and London Irish in ceasing to trade. The RFU sought to blame the club's investors for taking 'decisions at this early point in the season to place the club in such a position'. But that was met with contempt both from Reds chairman Mark Morgan and Simon Halliday, the former England star turned Championship boss. Both pointed the finger firmly at the Union, with Halliday shocked to not even be contacted by blazers at Twickenham. 'To say I was disappointed would be the wrong word,' he said, 'disassociating' himself from the RFU statement. 'We are dealing with a tragedy of human proportions. 'I'm personally devastated by the news because Jersey are our standard bearers. But there's knock-on effects to the rest of the clubs and the rest of the game which we need to manage together. 'Today we don't want to over-analyse it. It's about dealing with the human consequences of something that was absolutely avoidable. 'We knew this was an issue. It hasn't come as a bolt from the blue. I warned the RFU of the risks, particularly relating to Jersey. I formally warned them.' The RFU board are already facing an internal revolt from council members accusing it of 'providing insufficient leadership, controls, and scrutiny over the performance of the RFU executive', headed up by Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube. That pressure will only ramp up in Friday's council meeting at a time when focus should be on England's challenge for the World Cup. Halliday added: 'Sometimes when you issue warnings and they get ig){kind=link}
“Sometimes when you issue warnings and they get ignored and then the reality hits you, the pressure for change becomes very strong” – Simon Halliday
Rugby Football Union chiefs will today face demands for change after being accused of falling asleep at the wheel as Jersey Reds became the fourth major club to fold inside a year.
Four months after winning English rugby’s second tier and a fortnight after crushing Bath in the Premiership Cup, the Channel Islanders joined Worcester, Wasps and London Irish in ceasing to trade.
The RFU sought to blame the club’s investors for taking “decisions at this early point in the season to place the club in such a position”. But that was met with contempt both from Reds chairman Mark Morgan and Simon Halliday, the former England star turned Championship boss.
Both pointed the finger firmly at the Union, with Halliday shocked to not even be contacted by blazers at Twickenham.