Walkinshaw targets domestic success for Glaws
TW - domestic target
By Cherry Picker
May 24 2010
No place in the Guinness Premiership play-offs, disappointment in the knock-out competitions and now no place in next season’s Heineken Cup – it really has been a disappointing season for Gloucester. But chairman Tom Walkinshaw has made it clear the club's target is to succeed in domestic competition, -- the sooner the better.
Their chances of a back-door entry into the Heineken were blown away when Cardiff Blues beat Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup final – a great result for them, but a bad one for Glaws.
It means Scarlets are in the Heineken next season, while Glaws have to make do with a place in the Amlin.
It’s a pity for the players and the fans, wanting to test themselves against the best in Europe, and it’s a financial blow for the club, too.
But perhaps the lack of success in the season just ended will act as a spur to all concerned in 2010-11.
Meanwhile, speaking at the recent fan’s forum, owner Walkinshaw says the top priority is domestic success.
He said: "We want to do as well as we can in Europe but it's not our number one priority - that has to be the Premiership. The trouble is there are 11 other clubs with the same priority.
"I think we have a well balanced squad for next season and I think we'll do very well. Sir Ian McGeechan said to us that it was important to strengthen the core rather than go for wholesale change. That's what Bryan (Redpath) wanted to do and we endorsed that."
Walkinshaw has been Glaws owner for 13 years, the longest serving chairman in the Premiership, but with only one success so far, he will no doubt be thinking it’s time his efforts and investment produced some silverware.Meanwhile, as financial restraints increase their pressure on all clubs, Walkinshaw says it’s important for the game that the Premiership salary cap continues in place."Without the salary cap, the league would be in a sorry state. We've got a difficult couple of years ahead and we need to keep it. "When players knock on international doors you've got to make a choice. Do you keep the proven player and lose the young one? It's a conundrum." e for Glaws.