Firstly, I would like to say how disturbed I am by your one sided view on Welsh Rugby and by the lack of information you seem to portray in your columns over the past couple of weeks. Also the way you lead the general public into debate without giving them a full historical account of events on which they could base their opinion. It seems to me you are a canvasser for the break away clubs through your column in the paper.

I have been following Welsh Rugby for the past twenty years with no mixed emotions but it saddens me to say I have now come to crossroads. When I say this I mean the game may need a revamp but not a Witch Hunt of an organisation that has served its entire clubs equally and honorably.

However, I would be pleased if you could read my views and take on board any of my thoughts and please feel free to print them in your column. I would like to read your assessment in the mirror later this week along with the views of the other papers that have also received this document.

I would like to talk about the "Gang of Six", Bridgend, Cardiff, Llanelli, Newport, Pontypridd and Swansea. I ask myself where would these clubs have been without the help of the union which now they try to disperse of, by use of Threat and Blackmail.

BRIDGEND - only recently Mr Samuels made an appearance on television talking about money problems at the club and lack of income through gate money. Also he stated the possibility of pulling out due to poor returns on his money. I have one question for Mr Samuels, if his board of directors and finance department could foresee cash flow problems why did the club sanction big money transfers last year and carry out paying astronomical wages, - Dafydd James £125,000 per year, Nathan Budgett £80,000 per year and Gareth Thomas £100,000 per year.

Q1. Did the purchasing of high profile players co-inside with the prospect in obtaining the Super Club Status, and if so what right did the club have to strengthen its claim at the expense of the WRU?

Q2. Would Mr Samuels like to disclose the amount the WRU placed at his disposal at his time of need?

CARDIFF – The Millennium Stadium is truly a magnificent structure, which the people of Wales are proud of and the rest of the nation envious at, but this fabulous stadium is incomplete due to Mr Peter Thomas of Cardiff refusal to work with the WRU and complete a masterpiece stadium of world-class status. The WRU at present are looking for ways to complete its project, but sadly to say the work to be carried out now for completion would cost five times the price first stated by Langs.

The WRU funded the purchase of Iestyn Harris by contributing £500,000, to his one million pound price tag, but his funding did not stop there, the WRU are also contributing to half of the amount of this annual wages.

My final query relates to when Mr Peter Thomas of Cardiff and his board of directors opted to break away from the Welsh Rugby Union and form alliance over the water. The WRU seeked guidance form the IRB in handling this matter, the outcome being a £150,000 fine for Cardiff, which I might add still has not been paid.

Q1. Would Mr Thomas like to disclose a total figure of money he has attained from the WRU for his transfer targets over the past couple of years?

Q2. When does Mr Thomas and the board of Cardiff intend paying its fine to the WRU?

LLANELLI – Bankrupt and about to be sold off when the WRU stepped in and financed the club by buying the ground and surrounding area before it was turned in to another Tesco Superstore. If this ground is actually owned by the WRU then what ground rent payments has it received from Llanelli? I put it to you that, arrear payments exceed over £400,000 and are increasing monthly.

Again this club has profited like Cardiff in the transfer marker with help from the WRU in securing big money payments towards Scott Quinell’s return to Rugby Union.

NEWPORT – Another club which has attracted big signings through the help of the WRU and its dual contract payments. Newport has been fortunate to acquire the talent of players such as Jason Jones Hughes, Andy Marinos and Shane Howarth.

PONYTPRIDD – I am not sure of the set up at the club but I think it is run by an organisation involved with pay as you view. What I am sure about is the club has followed in the same footsteps as Bridgend in terms of money matters. Both clubs were treated equally with finance.

SWANSEA – Again the WRU funded transfer payments towards Scott Gibbs return to Rugby Union and also financed the club in a similar way to Bridgend and Pontypridd although the outstanding balance of debts being far higher than the latter. Further more gossip at the club indicates player’s contracts are up this year and renewals will not signed unless they are doubled in money.

Another query I have for Mr Mike James is did himself or the board of directors at Swansea try to write off there outstanding debt to the union in the Settlement Agreement formed after the breakaway outburst and would he care to comment on the amount?

Also I believe the club are in arrears of the £150,000 fine opposed on them by the WRU?

Q1. Would Mr James like to comment on the money made available to himself from the WRU?

Q2. When does Mr James and the board of Swansea intend paying its fine to the WRU?

I must admit it angered me when I read in the paper that these so called clubs were threatening to bring the game in Wales into disrepute with an organised strike. I asked myself has Leighton Samuels, Peter Thomas, Huw Evans, Tony Brown, Mr Pontypridd and Mike James forgotten about how they have all been helped extensively by the WRU.

Following on with money it has also annoyed me to find out that the Gang of Six want 50% of the New Six Nation’s TV contract, which is due out anytime now. What the public of Wales should be seeing is this document, which was presented to Glanmor Griffiths on Wednesday 6^th March 2002 clearly stating their greed for money. This really came as a surprise to myself as I know for a fact the premier division clubs receive all income from the BBC and S4C TV Broadcasting Contract. If this is the case, then what money will be left for the running of the game in Wales?

Another demand, which has been placed on Glanmor Griffiths, is the Gang of Six want the right to sit on the National Board and International Committee (IRB) and in turn do away with the WRU National Representatives.

Glanmor Griffiths should come clean and tell the Welsh public the bullying he has sustained from Mr Stuart Gallacher and Mr Huw Evans of Llanelli, and there associates the Gang of Six, for it is commonly known in rugby circles that he is being harassed constantly by the party.

I admirer Glanmor Griffiths and what he has done for rugby in Wales but I cannot help myself in thinking what are the thoughts of the EX chairman Mr Vernon Pugh who now occupies the position of chairman on the International Rugby Board. As one of the most powerful men in world rugby I think we the people of Wales should politely ask could he spare some time and air his views on the state of Welsh Rugby and the constant threat and blackmail scenario we work in on a daily basis.

Next comes the criteria, which these clubs apply for the franchise of the Welsh Rugby Union. It is very disturbing to find out that the Gang of Six have again laid demands on Mr Glanmor Griffiths to the extent that they will personally outline, organise and set up the criteria for which in turn they are applying.

Ladies and Gentlemen of Wales I ask for your support in challenging Mr Glanmor Griffiths to make public through this newspaper the last document he received from the Gang of Six, this in turn should reflect on the comments I have made previously and show the full extend of terms and demands being laid before the Welsh Rugby Union. I believe as a true rugby supporter you should only cast judgment on the WRU when all these facts are visible.

Last, but not least a Professional Governing Body?

The past week I have read reports from Mr Les Williams (Vice chairman of the WRU) and former Welsh International and British Lion Mr J P R Williams that the way forward in Wales is to appoint a professional governing body. After reading the two reports they picture in my mind:

1. A small party of people working together as a team.
2. A group containing 5 or 8.
3. An executive board of professional men.

The question I have for you both is can you give an example of the professional men we seek? Thank you.

Although I am a genuine rugby supporter I wish to keep my identity anonymous, as I do not wish to be inundated by the Press.

Finally, to end this document I would like you to spare a thought for the all clubs in Wales and not just the SIX. Do you really think these small clubs would get the help and survival advice from an organisation intent on financing only their own needs, No I don’t think they would?