After postponing four league fixtures due to a lack of players and fielding players from Arbroath RFC and Carnoustie HSFP in another four to fulfil those fixtures, the senior rugby club of Montrose have been informed by the SRU that if it fails to fulfil any of its remaining leagues fixtures this season, it will be formally withdrawn from the Midlands League.

The implications of a forced withdrawal from the SRU Leagues will not only result in the end of Montrose's status as league club (which has been continuous since the league's formation), but would leave the town's senior rugby club only having the option of playing friendly matches for the reminder of the season. It may also result in the club being in league limbo for future seasons - depending on playing numbers in the future.

Club Captain Andy Baxter said "This is a sad period for the senior side. Although we have struggled for players, and consistency for a few years now, this season as been a total nightmare since our first league match in September in terms of trying to get 15 players on the pitch. Our priority used to be to get a competitive team on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon, now its just to get 15, or enough to get the fixture played."

Senior player numbers in the town have been dropping regularly over the last few seasons ever since the club won the old National Division 5 in 2005, due to players either moving away from the area or retiring from the game, however according to Andy, the principle reason for the current situation is down to a simple lack of committement and general apathy within the majority of its current crop of available players.

"Regrettably the majority of the clubs 'players' do not show or give the level of committement needed for league rugby for various reasons, typically only making themselves available for a home game one week in four or the odd away game here or there.

"That would be fine if the club had a large pool of potential players to draw from, however the problem for Montrose is how does the club fill the gaps for the other games when we only have a small pool of possible players to call upon?

"The simple answer is we can't - without fielding players from other clubs as we have done in our last four matches. However as our colleagues in Arbroath and Carnoustie will have fixtures on the dates of our remaining games, we may not get as many (if any) players from other clubs as frequently as we have in the past - so we are on our own for the rest of the season.

"The senior side does have a small core of five or six commited players who have made themselves available on a week-in week-out basis this year, despite all of this season's troubles, but unlike basketball, you unfortunately can't play a game of rugby with that few players.

"I would love to say that the commitment and attitude of certain players will improve once it sinks in that there is genuine likelihood of the town losing its only senior rugby side in the very near future - which would allow us to complete this season's leagues fixtures, and allow the already committed core to start to look forward to a more successful 2010-11 season, however I just can't guarantee that will happen or if it does, that it will be sustained until the end of the season.

"The only way that I can see the senior club surviving in the near future is if new players from within the Montrose area are found in the short term, and become involved straightaway in the senior side to supplement the current irregular availability of the current players."

The club is again therefore desperately appealing for new players between the ages of 18-45 who wish to play senior rugby for the town, even on an occasional basis, to come forward.

The next league fixtures for Montrose are on Jan 23 Blairgowrie (H), Jan 30 Bannockburn (A) and Feb 6 Fife Southern (A), however if you can not make these dates but are still keen on playing senior rugby, please still get in contact with the club.

Interested players should contact Andy direct on 01674 676851 or on AndyMBaxter@aol.com < mailto:AndyMBaxter@aol.com> .