Having played some rugby in Leicestershire, and against South in my time, I can agree with Radio Gnome’s assessment of the club.
Plenty of benefactor money via a sponsorship deal facade, climbed out of what was then National 3 Midlands soon after their national league neighbours Hinckley a few years ago.
To be fair to South their Sunday mornings used to be quite well attended back at the start of the decade and I hear the current colts are a decent outfit in the area at their age group.
However, with no second or third team to blood these in they soon move to clubs that can off adult rugby with appropriate levels to blood them in. Not every 18 year old is Marcus Smith of Harlequins at that age.
Some did go full circle at 22 onwards having been superstars in lower leagues, but it’s not a recipe for success. Especially if you’ve grown a group of friends at that club and South could cancel your contact and leave you teamless at any point. Not the enjoyable environment to thrive in.
Interestingly Birmingham and Solihull, who both came down with South from National 2 level have both also lost all their playing squad and pulled out of the RFU pyramid to play in the Birmingham Merit Leagues.
Look anywhere up and down the country and there are centenary year and beyond established “first teams” now in local merit leagues. Rugby is becoming unsustainable at the higher levels. Professional fees for unprofessional set ups and unprofessional individuals...sorry amateur set ups and individuals. There’s no longer a glass ceiling, more a giant wrecking ball for any club not willing to spend beyond their means to find their level.
