A NUMBER of players, coaches and administrators have, it seems, been lost to Rugby League following the demise of Haresfinch.
The St Helens outfit, who had been launched half a century ago and had been among the leading lights on the amateur scene – notably featuring in the early rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup in recent years – felt obliged to call it a day following the RFL’s refusal to drop the side down to a lower level than the newly-formed North West Conference League.
Haresfinch, who had been a power in the North West Men’s League, had made the request following a number of retirements, while several players had sought pastures new.
But the RFL, who have introduced the National Community Rugby League structure, stood firm, stating: “Making an exception in this case would undermine the integrity of the pyramid structure at its very first implementation and create understandable expectations from other clubs in similar circumstances.
“Movement between levels has only been permitted where there has been a corresponding and reciprocal request – for example, where one team wished to move down and another was prepared to move up.”
Haresfinch had featured in the North West Men’s League’s Entry League fixtures on the RFL’s website. However, League Express understands that no games actually took place.
The club’s former head coach Mark Saunders said: “It’s not something I was aware of, although I had of course stepped down.
“There is no open-age team in place at present at Haresfinch, although the club have plenty of youth and junior sides, plus a Masters team.
“As for what will happen in the future, that’s up in the air as far as men’s open-age Rugby League is concerned.
“There will hopefully be a team up and running again next year but, as things stand, I won’t be the coach. I’m no longer involved, after what happened earlier this year, and I’ve surprised myself by not missing it, other than the dressing-room banter.
“Members of our committee, including open-age chair Dom Gale, stepped down and those players who hadn’t retired are now dotted around other local clubs, such as Blackbrook, Garswood and Thatto Heath Crusaders.”