Worrying Times

Unless you've been avoiding any sports news outlets you'll be aware that London Irish is currently in a state of "transition". Owner Mick Crossan has, for some time, been looking to off-load the club as he's paid his dues, however, being London Irish to the bone he's not simply dumping the club like a hot rock and heading off into the sun. Mr Crossan and the club have been looking for viable new owners who will take the club forward.

The word is that such a new owner has been found but that, as is always the way with business deals things are taking a little longer than expected. The last report of any useful speculation was that the incoming owners are a US consortium and that the RFU/PRL were conducting due diligence on them. This is obviously a good thing if done correctly, or a massive waste of time if done poorly. The other reports were that the March pay-roll was delayed (this implied that the new owners would be covering it, but Mick may have stepped-in to avoid a problem). Now, it seems that April's pay-roll was also delayed (and, unless reports are wildly exaggerated, still hasn't gone through) and we're in Limbo awaiting news.

There could be any number of reasons for all of this: the pay-roll may simply be being used as a focussing tool to finalize the deal (many have pointed out that this is quite a callous way to treat your staff), the deal could have fallen through, or any number of scenarios in-between. The only truth we actaully have is that we simply don't know and face a difficult wait.

It is undoubtedly a very poor way to prepare for the final game of the season - I can't help but wonder if this would be happening if there as anything other than league position at stake...