By Dai
September 9 2003

Leighton Samuel, owner of Bridgend RFC has released the follwoing statement in light of recent events at the club.

Today, Bridgend R.F.C Owner Leighton Samuel has released a statement in response to recent events at the club. The statements reads as follows:

The financial implications of the introduction of Provincial rugby on Premiership club Bridgend R.F.C. Ltd have been dramatic and it has become blatantly obvious to me that the majority of the so called "fans" are totally ignorant of the facts.

In brief, the Premiership club is living way beyond its means and in order to "balance the books" this 2003-2004 season I estimate I will need to personally fund a loss of approximately £300,000.

The mathematics are quite simple and I will keep it as such to demonstrate the same:

W.R.U. INCOME £50,000
PROJECTED GATE MONEY £40,000
SEASON TICKETS-TO DATE £14,000
HOSPITALITY FUNCTIONS £25,000
(NET) TOTAL £129,000

PLAYING WAGES £195,000
(Inc. Contractual liabilities from 2002/2003 season)
BREWERY FIELD MAITENANCE £81,000
Rates, Rent, Heat, Light etc.
PLAYING STAFF COSTS £22,000
Buses, Food, Kit, Cleaning etc.

ADMIN COSTS £41,000
Bar Manager, Bar Staff, Office Staff etc
MATCH DAY COSTS x 15 £35,000
Ambulance, Security & Police.
SUNDRY EXPENSES £10,000
INS. PUBLIC LIABILITY £31,000
TOTAL £425,000

These costs are conservative and assume there are no damages, repairs, breakdowns etc... throughout the season. The above figures exclude Celtic League, Celtic Cup and Heineken Cup games at the Brewery Field.

I am disappointed and and dismayed at the constant moaning and sniping by a number of supporters who quite frankly do not appreciate what they get for their season ticket package. For a field ticket cost of just £48.00 i.e. £3.30 per game you are able to sit under cover, enjoy the finest bars in the league and watch a team perform in one of the finest stadiums in Wales. Yet you are still not satisfied and want more and more!! I find this incredible.

If you want me to go then fine- the club will go into administration and fold- it's that simple. Pontypridd are currently feeling the pain because they have no one like myself funding the debt. Furthermore, they have been unable to upgrade their facilities to the standard of the Brewery Field. Perhaps after visiting the other grounds of the teams in the Premier League you might appreciate what you have got and stop what seems to be continual whinging.

It seems I am unable to visit my own club without supporters moaning about the slightest issue. To be honest my Wife and I will never watch a home game again- thanks for that!

Until you come to terms with the financial predicament the club is in especially this coming season, you will never grasp or understand the pressures the management are under on a day to day basis to make it all work. You just see the business for 4-5 hours on a match day should you chose to come- I have no choice, it costs whether I am there or not. It is imperative we continue "cost cutting" to survive simple economics.

I would dearly love to "GO" as some supporters suggest. So if there is anyone out there who would like to fund the club and put up with the crap from lots of supporters week in week out then please give me a ring. It seems you want to "give it" but you cannot "take it".

Your memories are very short and I find that the most disappointing aspect.

Why do I bother?

Leighton Samuel