Ruddock quit over contract, says report

Post by **limecat** » February 17th, 2006, 11:19 am

from ireland.com

17/02/2006: Mike Ruddock's departure as Wales coach was prompted by the Welsh Rugby Union's decision to suspend contract negotiations - not his - according to The London Times.

Ruddock was allegedly not paid the £20,000 bonus he was owed for leading Wales to the RBS 6 Nations Championship last year, despite the players being given theirs.

In spite of leading Wales to their first major trophy for 27 years, Ruddock stepped down this week amid speculation about his relationship with players and officials deteriorating. Ruddock denied such suggestions.

He cited family and personal reasons for his decision, claiming he had called off contract talks which resulted in the WRU asking him to step down immediately.

However, a letter to Ruddock's solicitors from WRU chief executive Steve Lewis dated February 8th, after England beat Wales in the opening Six Nations match, was published in The Times on Friday.

"We want Mike...to concentrate fully on the Six Nations title. Contract negotiations will be a major distraction in this critical period. As a result, we wish to inform you that we are suspending negotiations in connection with the new contract until the completion of the Six Nations."

A statement from Ruddock on Wednesday said: "After consultation with my family, I have made the decision to stand down as national coach. I have decided to withdraw from contract talks to take Wales to the 2007 World Cup in France. This has been a tough decision to make but I have decided to put my family first."

harryp · Post by **harryp** » February 17th, 2006, 12:05 pm

Sky Sports had an article last night about it. The press conference was supposed to announce him stepping down after the 6N. At the last minute the Welsh RFU changed their minds and told him that he was to leave immediately.

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » February 17th, 2006, 12:46 pm

harryp wrote:Sky Sports had an article last night about it. The press conference was supposed to announce him stepping down after the 6N. At the last minute the Welsh RFU changed their minds and told him that he was to leave immediately.

At the last minute......how professional.....

epaddy · Post by **epaddy** » February 17th, 2006, 3:24 pm

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » February 17th, 2006, 3:29 pm

epaddy wrote: I can't reveal the source of the information that allowed me to frame these questions for reasons that will become apparent when it becomes public knowledge. I am very confident of their authenticity.

Is this a wind up EPaddy?

Big Deep Blue · Post by **Big Deep Blue** » February 17th, 2006, 3:31 pm

If it isn't a wind up then it's shocking. Could teach the Aer lingus HR dept. a thing or two.

harryp · Post by **harryp** » February 17th, 2006, 3:40 pm

Would not surprise me. Everything you hear or read about the whole fiasco stinks! We'll never know though.

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » February 17th, 2006, 3:52 pm

harryp wrote:Would not surprise me. Everything you hear or read about the whole fiasco stinks! We'll never know though.

Dunno, Beeb is reporting that Ruddock is demanding a showdown meeting....it could all blow up.

epaddy · Post by **epaddy** » February 17th, 2006, 3:55 pm

Sorry thats not my source. Its a guy from PR. Not usually a big fisherman. I would belive it

harryp · Post by **harryp** » February 17th, 2006, 4:20 pm

Flash Gordon wrote:
harryp wrote:Would not surprise me. Everything you hear or read about the whole fiasco stinks! We'll never know though.
Dunno, Beeb is reporting that Ruddock is demanding a showdown meeting....it could all blow up.

British papers are taking WRU to the Cleaners. There's trouble a brewin....

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » February 17th, 2006, 4:24 pm

harryp wrote:
Flash Gordon wrote:
harryp wrote:Would not surprise me. Everything you hear or read about the whole fiasco stinks! We'll never know though.
Dunno, Beeb is reporting that Ruddock is demanding a showdown meeting....it could all blow up.
British papers are taking WRU to the Cleaners. There's trouble a brewin....

Really? This could work out well for Welsh rugby. The WRuin are even worse than the clowns at the IRFU.....

harryp · Post by **harryp** » February 17th, 2006, 4:39 pm

Flash Gordon wrote:
harryp wrote:
Flash Gordon wrote: Dunno, Beeb is reporting that Ruddock is demanding a showdown meeting....it could all blow up.
British papers are taking WRU to the Cleaners. There's trouble a brewin....
Really? This could work out well for Welsh rugby. The WRuin are even worse than the clowns at the IRFU.....

Unfortunately taking an awful lot of press focus away from IRFU & EOS. The run upto the Welsh game is gauranteed to be just about Chavin & Mike Ruddock.

scotscor · Post by **scotscor** » February 17th, 2006, 5:02 pm

epaddy wrote:Sorry thats not my source. Its a guy from PR. Not usually a big fisherman. I would belive it

This has been pulled from gwlad for preemptive legal reasons. would seem to make sense to pull it from here as well.

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » February 17th, 2006, 5:06 pm

scotscor wrote:
epaddy wrote:Sorry thats not my source. Its a guy from PR. Not usually a big fisherman. I would belive it
This has been pulled from gwlad for preemptive legal reasons. would seem to make sense to pull it from here as well.

Thanks Scots. Have removed it from my pasted reply. If that's the case, suggest you remove it ePaddy....we've all seen it anyway....

PS. welcome to Leinsterfans Scots.....

scotscor · Post by **scotscor** » February 17th, 2006, 5:13 pm

Flash Gordon wrote:
scotscor wrote:
epaddy wrote:Sorry thats not my source. Its a guy from PR. Not usually a big fisherman. I would belive it
This has been pulled from gwlad for preemptive legal reasons. would seem to make sense to pull it from here as well.
Thanks Scots. Have removed it from my pasted reply. If that's the case, suggest you remove it ePaddy....we've all seen it anyway....

PS. welcome to Leinsterfans Scots.....

cheers, wont stay long

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » February 17th, 2006, 5:14 pm

scotscor wrote:
Flash Gordon wrote:
scotscor wrote: This has been pulled from gwlad for preemptive legal reasons. would seem to make sense to pull it from here as well.
Thanks Scots. Have removed it from my pasted reply. If that's the case, suggest you remove it ePaddy....we've all seen it anyway....

PS. welcome to Leinsterfans Scots.....
cheers, wont stay long

Might see you back at the other place so....

Post by **limecat** » February 17th, 2006, 5:31 pm

scotscor wrote:This has been pulled from gwlad for preemptive legal reasons. would seem to make sense to pull it from here as well.

thanks for the heads up there. and thanks to the guys for editing their posts so quickly.