Plymouth Albion appoint former Argyle boss Dunford as managing director

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Probably more of interest to the Albion supporters amongst us

Good appointment for them he'll do a good job for them.

Hopefully it is a sign of wanting to progress rather than deliberately staying in Life 1 as Chiefs feeder club as pessimists are predicting

Quite how he didn't get the gig at home park is beyond me. Can only assume with all his years experience he might have had ideas that would have cost James money to implement or fatty didn't like him.

green_genie wrote:

Hopefully it is a sign of wanting to progress rather than deliberately staying in Life 1 as Chiefs feeder club as pessimists are predicting

they are in the market for a new director of rugby too im told.

Unless the new owners have resources that neither the public doesnt know about i cant see Dunford being a paid employee or if he is not on alot and more in a handshake deal while he looks for a job

Dunford is a top quality appointment for Albion.

I would expect this to be the precursor for positive things at the club including ground development to include conferencing/new revenue streams. The current owners and officers of the club are very ambitious and Premiership rugby is more than just a distant dream. Of course they will utilise the Chiefs resources, and the Pirates. It is in the interest of all local clubs to help each other to become successful and sustainable. The Chiefs have done it in spades so why not Albion, only a few years ago Albion were a much bigger setup than Chiefs and had much bigger attendances.

At least Mr Brent can have another ready made excuse for his lack of HP news and no doubt a highly underwhelming "refurb" of the Old Girl.

Chancellor wrote:

Dunford is a top quality appointment for Albion.

I would expect this to be the precursor for positive things at the club including ground development to include conferencing/new revenue streams. The current owners and officers of the club are very ambitious and Premiership rugby is more than just a distant dream. Of course they will utilise the Chiefs resources, and the Pirates. It is in the interest of all local clubs to help each other to become successful and sustainable. The Chiefs have done it in spades so why not Albion, only a few years ago Albion were a much bigger setup than Chiefs and had much bigger attendances.

At least Mr Brent can have another ready made excuse for his lack of HP news and no doubt a highly underwhelming "refurb" of the Old Girl.

they need to work on there PR after their shambolic attitude towards the fans and media over their reasons for firing Dawe and low balling some contracts.

Dunford brings a common link between Argyle and Albion I wouldn't be surprised if talk of a groundshare with argyle doesn't resurface especially if they bring money to the table... Paving the way for Albion to vacate brick fields (if they own it get some cash for housing too?) Or maybe even turn Brick fields into a joint training complex?

argyl3 wrote:

Dunford brings a common link between Argyle and Albion I wouldn't be surprised if talk of a groundshare with argyle doesn't resurface especially if they bring money to the table... Paving the way for Albion to vacate brick fields (if they own it get some cash for housing too?) Or maybe even turn Brick fields into a joint training complex?

They do not own it. Belong to the people of Plymouth given by the MOD for sport

argyl3 wrote:

Dunford brings a common link between Argyle and Albion I wouldn't be surprised if talk of a groundshare with argyle doesn't resurface especially if they bring money to the table... Paving the way for Albion to vacate brick fields (if they own it get some cash for housing too?) Or maybe even turn Brick fields into a joint training complex?

Never go to Brickfields argyl3 you will be very unpopular there lol

albion dont need too or want to groundshare with argyle when they have their own ground and plans for it. Plus the people who go to rugby games have freedom to drink and smoke and move around where as that would be taken away from them moving to home park.

I would think any rugby fan would shudder at the thought of having to put up with the dull crap of Home Park, with the 1500 souls but a pin prick in the stadium . The Brickfields is a very tight ,social bit of fun, just like the Menaye, and so unlike Home Park. Such a move would be the end for Albion. That sort of groundshare can only work if the rugby club concerned can fill a stadium.
While I support a REAL rugby club, I have a dislike even more for Albion in it's present form. I had a lot of time for Graham Dawe, and we all know what happened there.
Bottom line ? Albion haven't a hope sandwiched between Exeter and Penzance/Newlyn Pirates.

beesrus wrote:

I would think any rugby fan would shudder at the thought of having to put up with the dull crap of Home Park, with the 1500 souls but a pin prick in the stadium . The Brickfields is a very tight ,social bit of fun, just like the Menaye, and so unlike Home Park. Such a move would be the end for Albion. That sort of groundshare can only work if the rugby club concerned can fill a stadium.
While I support a REAL rugby club, I have a dislike even more for Albion in it's present form. I had a lot of time for Graham Dawe, and we all know what happened there.
Bottom line ? Albion haven't a hope sandwiched between Exeter and Penzance/Newlyn Pirates.

Cornish Pirates are going nowhere and fast. Albion wont be pulling up trees for awhile yet but i think they are starting to get things in order off the pitch aswell as on it for the first time in a long time. The new owners are their own worse enemy and the way the sacked Dawe for no real reason still irks with supporters and the media blackout from them also still irks fans.

I am not convinced that the Pirates are ever going to be the premiership force some people think they could be. It all seems reliant on the stadium for Cornwall being built in Truro and the Pirates relocating there. Even though Albion are a league lower they are an established club with a better stadium. I suppose it comes down to who can mobilise their support better - Albion in Plymouth or the Pirates in Cornwall.

London Welsh have been abolished from Championship with immediate effect.

No guidance as yet but presumably second place behind Hartpury could see Albion promoted. This will be a test for way club wants to go.

RFU LINK

Interesting that they are looking to re-establish Colts set up, which would be just in time to benefit from a very good U15 crop especially around Ivybridge who are in Nat West National QF's

They have just drop down to third place, even with a away win last weekend. Could be a good crowd this weekend with Argyle not playing. Needs the money still losing it.

If Chiefs don't recall too many of their loans for Anglo-Welsh and to cover 6 Nations they'll get second.

Feckin' bollox. RFU decided no relegation this year saving Richmond, who clearly have no appetite to be there.

London Welsh have been kicked out of the championship,

Big shame a club with their history has collapsed and the RFU refuses to address the funding issue from the Championship down. It wont be the last its time a club folds Albion are not out of the woods yet but are making moves in the right direction with te building blocks but it takes a year or two before any real difference is seen off the field but i believe they will be ok if everything works out. The still lack decent PR though.

Albion wont go up this year but this team will do next season if the core stay which is what the club are doing at the moment by offering longer deals to key players now then the usual 1 year.

Pity a certain reluctant one refuses to do something like that.

Totally village. Another half funded bunch of property speculators trying it on. Didn't realise anyone played rugby in Plymouth outside of Hallett's Plymouth College and Nikkkkkkkkk's long demolished St Boniface.