Chiefs, Indians, Organ Grinders And Monkeys

IN THE WAKE of my critique of Edinburgh's abject display against Zebre on Friday night, 'Club Fan' – one of the more-regular reader of these ravings – got in touch. Club Fan is an official with a Scottish club, I know his identity and I greatly value his opinions, although, both of us being Scottish, we do not always agree. This is what he had to say:

“A very bad day at the office AA for Edinburgh. But my plea would be more specific in your criticism.

I accept that the Board structures are confusing. But it’s the SR Limited Board that covers the professional game. Ie John McGuigans people. I hesitate to call them blazeretti as trey are all NEDs usually from corporate backgrounds with the exception of the board club reps. They are supposed to look at these things with a detached view unencumbered by allegiance to rugby per se.

Though my experience is that NEDs tend to leave their business brain at the boardroom door as we saw with the previous incumbents of those chairs. What idiots thought extending Dodsons contract a great idea after Russellgate?”

Fair comment I would say, so, let's have a go at answering his points.

Confusing Board Structures

We know that Edinburgh and Glasgow are both wholly-owned subsidiary clubs, their ultimate owners are The Scottish Rugby Union - SRU, but they are operated by Scottish Rugby Limited, SRL

According to Companies House, Edinburgh Rugby has two “Officers of the Company” - i.e. responsible directors. They are listed as Robert Howat and Shona Bell.

Glasgow Warriors' Companies House record also shows just two Officers of the Company – again responsible directors. These are listed as the same Robert Howat and Shona Bell.

Both Ms Bell and Mr Howat are listed as members of the SRL Board.

The only other Officer of the Company listed in both the Edinburgh and Glasgow entries in the Companies House register is Mark Dodson, who resigned on 30 April, 2024. I think it is safe to assume, Alex Williamson, his successor as Chief Exectutive Officer of the SRU will very-quickly be added to the Companies House listing.

As far as managerial responsibilities are concerned, we learn from the main SRU website:

The SRL Board is responsible for the ongoing management and operations of the Scottish Rugby Union Group. It reports quarterly, through the SRL Chair, to the SRU Custodians on the main aspects of its operating role, including strategy and financial and various other significant topics.

So, it's all clear – day-to-day management is the responsibility of the SRL Board, who have to, four times per year, justify their operations to the Custodians of the main SRU Board.

But, you go to Google and type in the question: “Who runs Edinburgh rugby?” and you find:

• Listed as Managing Director – Douglas Struth

So, the bold Dougie is listed as such, but, he is not listed on the Companies House record as a Director – is he a real MD – or just a glorified Office Boy?

Counting the five listed Coaches, Edinburgh rugby has a full-time staff of 28 persons.

Glasgow Warriors' website lists Al Kellock as Managing Director – the same points as I made above regarding Douglas Struth hold good for big Al.

Warriors has a full-time staff of 37 (including two vacant posts). But, what Glasgow has and Edinburgh does not have is an “Advisory Group”

To quote from Warriors' website:

“The Advisory Group provides guidance and support in line with the Scottish Rugby Strategic Plan. It offers introductions to the local business community in Glasgow to assist with the development of the club.”

Under the Chairmanship of Charles Shaw, the Advisory Group members are: Al Kellock, Walter Malcolm, Douglas McCrea, Alan Lees, Paul Taylor, Frank Mitchell, Scott Mathieson.

Thus we have:

• Two competing clubs

• With the same owner

• The same two directors named at Companies House

• “Managing Directors” who do not appear to be Board members

• One has 60% more off-field staff than the other

• One has an advisory board, the other doesn't.

• One wins things – the other struggles

Given the ownership of both clubs is in the hands of the national governing body, it looks a wee bit as if the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. We all know the Murrayfield Junta is huge on Control Freakery, that's why they run both clubs, because they don't want anyone else trying to run professional rugby in Scotland.

Fair enough, if they were doing it well, but, for all Glasgow's recent success, that is not the case as seen from the body of the kirk.

OK, I can accept, no two coaches will think alike, although they might well have the same basic ethos. But, while the coaches should be allowed to set-up their teams to play as they see fit, and as best suits the players they have – surely, when the same body owns both teams, the off-field management structures should be the same. Isn't such standardisation and adopting common practices one of the basic principles of running a multi-company group?

You find a way that works and you stick with it until you find a better way. Maybe if we had better management inside Murrayfield, the game of Rugby Union would be in better shape.

Looking at things, I feel the Chiefs are not giving the Indians the right lead.

FINALLY – I return to Club Fan's closing point:

• “What idiots thought extending Dodson's contract a great idea after Russellgate?”

TCD is now a blot on the history of Scottish Rugby, but, “Howzat” the other numpty we all know ought to have been booted down the Water of Leith after “Russellgate 1” is still in situ, one of the two Directors of our two professional clubs. You could not make it up. Mind you, I do agree with Club Fan's opinion on Non-Executive Directors.