Cash-strapped Top 14 side Bourgoin have been
rescued from the abyss following the DNACG’s approval of a
new rescue package.
The financially stricken club has been
hamstrung so far this season by
having 12 of its squad barred from
playing due to monetary concerns, but a new deal
involving player wage cuts and a fresh €700,000 investment
has now paved the way for those licences to unblocked with
immediate effect.
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The DNACG – the league’s financial watchdog –
confirmed its approval on Tuesday, paving the way for coach
Eric Catinot to pick from a full squad for the first time in
four games when Bourgoin play host to Racing-Metro 92 later
today (Wednesday).
The new deal began to take shape prior to
last weekend’s stunning home win against Biarritz – 22-17 –
when the players took it upon themselves to agree a 15-18%
wage cut “in the interest of the unique and exclusive club”.
That move alone will save Bourgoin up to €1m in this
season’s budget, and now former president Gaston Maulin has
vowed to pump in at least €700,000 to further boost the
coffers.
Maulin, 77, was named as the new president of
SASP on Tuesday and vowed to restore Bourgoin to its former
health. But he also cautioned against blind celebrations:
“The road is long, all problems are not resolved since it is
necessary that we still find €1m to complete the season,” he
said.
But the combination of those two factors has
proved sufficient to convince the DNACG that all financial
commitments can be honoured by the club this season,
although its long-term future still remains uncertain until
further funds can be acquired.
But that won’t stop the party atmosphere this
afternoon at the Stade Pierre Rajon, especially following
the collapse of an earlier deal which would have seen the
club merge with local rivals Lyon OU.
Maulin, who owns the nearby ski lifts at the
Cybele, has come on board at the behest of a group of senior
players (and the coaches).
“The financial elements for the budget have
been validated and there is a new shareholder who will make
an important contribution, even greater than the figures
announced,” confirmed Patrick Wolf, vice-president of the
Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR).
The Conseil Général
(local government) has also committed €500,000 to the cause.
New player and coach contracts have now been
drawn up, although it also seems likely that a couple of
players could be leaving shortly, with Kiwi prop Karena
Wihongi tipped to join either Perpignan or Toulon, while
full back Florian Denos is also expected to depart.
But that will be a price Bourgoin will
happily pay for continued survival, something that appeared
a fading possibility following last week’s collapsed rescue
deal.
Incredibly, despite the backdrop of
uncertainty, Bourgoin beat Biarritz 22-17 at the weekend, in
a match that long-serving captain Julien Frier described as
the most memorable of his career.
“I am proud, very proud,” he said afterwards.
“Especially after seeing all the players without licences
with tears in their eyes when they joined us in the changing
room to share our joy. I have played important matches but
this one will long in my head,” he added.
