Protesting fans urged to back Wasps FC

Former Wasps academy manager Rob Smith has urged the club's fans to turn their back on Coventry and support the amateur side.
Smith, who served the club for more than 40 years as player and coach and helped bring through Wasps' greats Lawrence Dallaglio and Joe Worsley, accused the professional club of “blanking the fans” and believes others will follow him in switching their allegiance to the amateur side.
Smith told The Rugby Paper: “The club had to survive but I'm more than disappointed with the way the process has been handled. The fans have been blanked out of it and it's a complete disregard for their emotional bond. It leaves a bad taste.
“The values have disappeared and it's like a funeral. But we've got another club, in London, and from now on I'll be going to watch Wasps FC. That's where the roots are, that's where all the history is and that's where the values remain for me.
“People have been mooting where they will go, but that's where I'd encourage people to go. It's a bar, it's a chat and a game of rugby – it's what we all started with. There's no mileage elsewhere and I'll still watch Wasps, just at a lower level.”
Wasps fans, will stage a protest at today's home match against   Bath, with many of them pledging to withdraw their support and follow the amateurs at Twyford Avenue, Acton, where the pro team currently train.
Wasps FC, who play in London North West 3, wholly own the site and are financially secure, boasting one of the largest mini and youth sections in Middlesex and a top class Ladies outfit that includes a number of England's World Cup winners.
Supporters Direct, the non-profit making organisation set up to assist fans who are disenfranchised by sports clubs, have offered any help they can to the Wasps FC.
SD have been instrumental in helping fans pick up the pieces, the most striking example being AFC Wimbledon's phoenix-like rise from the ashes when their club was whisked away to Milton Keynes in 2003.
SD spokesman Kevin Rye said: “My heart goes out to the Wasps fans and they'll be feeling completely powerless right now. But if the heart and soul still resides in the amateur club, they should support it and it would send out an incredibly powerful message.
“If Wasps fans say that ‘thing' up there (Coventry) no longer represents them and their roots are with the old Wasps FC, more power to them.”
Wasps FC chairman Richard Green told TRP: “Wasps FC play at a good level and we believe we can make London One. The question is whether there's going to be an AFC Wimbledon attempt,  but for as long as I'm chairman we'll be amateur.
“Supporters can help by turning up for matches, putting money over the bar or sponsoring a player's subs, transport or physio equipment.”
NEALE HARVEY