A NEWLY-CONCLUDED poll by the independent Scotland rugby supporters group has shown five out of six want the professional teams taken out of central control.
The survey operating on the Forum of Scottish Rugby Supporters (FOSRS) gave a clear indication that fans think many problems within the game could at least be eased if private investors were allowed scope to run teams without what is being described
as "the dead hand of Murrayfield".
The poll ran from March 3-20 and is today replaced with one requesting feedback on a draft letter to SRU chief executive Gordon McKie on the format of a review of the recent Six Nations where Scotland won a single match and lost four.
On the pro teams, the survey asked whether Edinburgh and Glasgow should be sold now to private investors in order to bring in cash which would allow them to develop – or whether a sell-off should take place "in a year or two".
Other options included a joint venture between investors and fans, an autonomous board under SRU control or have the teams run exclusively from Murrayfield.
The outcome is that 81.7 per cent want the teams franchised in some format. Only two per cent wanted centrally-run outfits.
An FOSRS editorial states: "The SRU has created so-called autonomous boards at both clubs and appointed energetic managing directors.
"However, budgets, finance, aspects of the marketing – and who knows how much of the decision-making? – remain in Murrayfield's hands.
"What prevents this being the ideal long-term model is the absence of the finance the clubs need to grow, whether in squad strength, international signings, marketing or venues."
The full article contains 287 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
