Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
At the time, I thought it was odd, a one club man and arguably in the form of his life.
He's subsequently given the story to the Heil. (Not linking that rag, Google is your friend).
He was binned off in a pretty abrupt manner, spoke to Dean up north and got a gig with Falcons. Quins then did an about turn and offered him a deal, but he'd given Richards his word.
A loyal club servant shabbily treated or is it just "shrug" thats pro rugby?
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
Take your money while it’s on offer and try and give something back along the way, that’s modern professionalism as I see it..
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
I've just read the article &, despite him not being one of my favourite players, he's gone up in my estimation. Definitely worth a read
Michael
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
I also believe there will be a slightly differing version from Quins' who decided not to sell their version to the press.
And seeing the "brains trust" currently running Quins I am sure they would have been empathetic to MB's position. Or was the decision made under Gustard and that is why things blew up for him ??
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
I seem to remember when Darren Dawidiuk left it didn't reflect well on the club either. In his words he said he found out he was leaving at the end of season awards dinner.
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
I’m sure all clubs have players with stories of how they’ve been mistreated.
Reason this is shocking is how good a servant Mike brown has been to Quins and, in my opinion, is still the best English 15 around. He’d still be playing 15 for England if I was coach
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
Phil W wrote:It's Pro sport unfortunately.
I seem to remember when Darren Dawidiuk left it didn't reflect well on the club either. In his words he said he found out he was leaving at the end of season awards dinner.
Yep I think Stooke was treated pretty shoddily too, which would have been at a similar time. This sort of story is probably more common between clubs than you think. Hopefully the likes of Trinder and Sharples are treated more compassionately than Brown if they are leaving this summer as it has been suggested.
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
I also suspect Brown is being completely honest. I don’t like the concept of player power but it seems pretty obvious Gustard didn’t make a lot of friends.
Re: Loyalty gone, or just pro sport?
That said, and it may be harsh, professional rugby players - especially those like MB whom have been at the top for many years - earn some pretty good money via their employment and have many positives as well as salary. The reason for the high salaries is as an insurance against losing one's job.
MB cannot expect a job-for-life at 35. If he had offered coaching capabilities it might have helped.
Sad story BUT professional sport needs going into with eyes wide open.