Time that RFU recognised tier two contribution – Peter Vosper

Negotiations between the RFU and the Championship clubs over a new funding deal are nearing completion and Peter Vosper, Plymouth Albion’s recently appointed chairman, hopes significant extra cash will be forthcoming.
The Rugby Paper understands an announcement could be made over the next fortnight regarding the RFU’s future plans for the league, with clubs lobbying for their current funding of £380,000 per annum to be doubled.
That appears optimistic but Vosper, whose consortium recently helped Albion stave off administration and certain relegation, has called on the RFU to properly acknowledge the second tier’s contribution.
He told TRP: “Plymouth’s a big city but it hasn’t got that much wealth, so I’d like to see recognition that the RFU rate the Championship and that it’s doing the job they wanted.
“It’s producing players for the Premiership and England and it’s a vital link between the amateur and top end, so we’d like to see as much financial support as the RFU can give to remain professional.
“I’d like to think that in a World Cup year they feel it is the right time to give us more support.” Albion are fighting to avoid relegation and Vosper revealed they have hired a consultant to assess the impact of potential demotion.
He explained: “It could be a down-to-the-wire situation, but we have to be prepared for going down.
“We’re in the process of making a Plan B, but there’s positivity around the club that we can avoid that situation.”
Plymouth’s run-in pits them against Worcester, Yorkshire, Pirates and Bristol, before fellow relegation candidates Moseley and Doncaster.
But with three wins and a draw in their last six matches, rugby director Graham Dawe told TRP: “It’s about not letting ourselves down now. We can’t wait to go to Worcester this week and challenge them.”
NEALE HARVEY