Fortress Under Attack

The Championship seems destined to begin under a cloud of crisis as clubs come to terms with the economic downturn and ever changing sporting landscape.

At the beginning of the week it was good to hear that London Welsh would kick off the new season in the Championship thanks to a take over by Red Dragon Rugby Ltd. but as the week draws to a close another club is thrust into turmoil.

Turmoil is nothing new for Nottingham Rugby, who were one of the first clubs to announce financial difficulties last season, but the latest breaking story could potentially end professional rugby as we know it in Nottingham.

It has already been a mad week for Nottingham sport!

The appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson as Director of Football at League 2 side Notts County sent reverberations around the country - Munto Finance and the Oldest Football Club in the world mean business and nothing will stand in their way.

It now appears that will include Nottingham Rugby.

Notts County have reportedly stated that Nottingham Rugby will not be able to stage their home games at Meadow Lane this season.

This is a big issue for Nottingham Rugby, who sold their home at Ireland Avenue in 2006, and have made Meadow Lane a fortress in recent years.

The impressive stadium is a big draw card for the club in terms of players, sponsors, match day hospitality and, perhaps most importantly, profile in what is already a cluttered sporting environment in Nottingham - without it I fear that the club will have to change substantially.

I have no doubt there will always be a Nottingham Rugby Club but without Meadow Lane, and a lack of other enticing options, it is hard to see how they will be able to continue with the model and budgets that they will have set at the start of the year.

Having come through a difficult time last year this is another testing time for the players and staff, who stayed loyal despite the issues last season, and as the Chairman, Geoff Huckstep, states this could signal the end of professional rugby in Nottingham in its present state.

A legal battle seems unlikely considering the rugby clubs financial situation and the fact that Notts County are reportedly paying Sven £2m a year.

The partnership was started because both parties had something to offer, Notts had a stadium and Nottingham Rugby paid them to use it in times of financial need.

Money is no object for the football club anymore and they will want the best playing surface possible for Sven and the new signings - sixteen games of rugby would certainly take its toll.

They always say that the biggest threat to a Fortress is from the inside - let's hope that there is a plan B.