Pirates Vision Backed by Fans from 2005

By woll
July 7 2006

Archive story from 2005 THE Cornish Pirates are ready to set sail after members of Penzance-Newlyn Rugby Club last night threw their support behind innovative plans laid out by club president Richard Evans.

"2005 Archive Story

Taken from Main Site

Pirates Vision Backed by Fans

THE Cornish Pirates are ready to set sail after members of Penzance-Newlyn Rugby Club last night threw their support behind innovative plans laid out by club president Richard Evans.

At a packed St John's Hall in Penzance, Evans' dream of 'awakening the giant' and bringing Premiership rugby to the people of Cornwall moved ever closer with a glowing endorsement from the club's army of supporters.

It is now full steam ahead for the ambitious National League One club, who will relocate to a new temporary site at Kenwyn in Truro in time for the start of the new season in September.

As well as the plans to relocate and change the club's name to that of the Cornish Pirates, members also supported the resolution to form Penzance & Newlyn Rugby Limited - a requirement of Premier League Rugby should the Pirates ever get promoted to the top flight; and a final resolution to upgrade all the facilities at the Mennaye Field, which will continue to act as a permanent training base for the Cornish Pirates, as well as a playing home for Mounts Bay and the Pirates mini and junior sections.

Addressing the audience, Evans told members: "Ten years ago I asked you to support me in taking this club into the professional era. At that time there were those who were totally against this move, there are people today that are against this latest move. However, it is my belief that we must try this venture.

"We are on a journey, but it is by no means at an end. We only have one shot at this, but we cannot go away from here and think 'what if' - we must give it a chance. As Del Boy would say 'He who dares wins Rodney'.

Outlining all aspects of the move to Truro, as well as the plans to redevelop the Mennaye, which will continue to act as the club's 'spiritual home', Evans said a bright new future awaits not only the Pirates, but Cornish rugby as a whole.

Evans added: "I am absolutely chuffed to bits that the members of Penzance-Newlyn Rugby Club share the same vision as myself. As I've said many times before, Cornwall deserve a Premiership rugby club and it is our aim to bring that to them."