SRU have missed out says Exiles' Logan

12:32pm Friday 4th July 2008

Former Scotland international Kenny Logan has slammed the Scottish Rugby Union for missing out on a golden opportunity after joining the board of directors at London Scottish.

The 36-year-old ex-London Wasps winger heads a consortium that has pumped £1.5million into the Richmond-based club in a bid to elevate the Exiles in to National Division One within the next three years.

Logan - and his group of investors - had lined up a deal to take over an unnamed Scottish club, but were rebuffed by the SRU which has seen them switch south.

The Exiles famously went bust following their last flirtation with professionalism nearly a decade ago when the first team was populated with ready-made talent from outside its Scottish roots.

But Logan is confident the club have learnt its lesson and insists the new approach is as much about developing Scotland qualified stars, as giving the Scots a foothold in the upper echelons of the English game.

"London Scottish have provided more internationals for the national team than any other club in the country," he said.

"It would be great for Scottish and English rugby to see the club get back up the leagues. We want to bring on and develop more Scottish players.

"I love the game and am passionate about Scottish rugby it is just a shame the SRU have missed out on this opportunity.

"I had a number of investors - chairman's of big private companies - interested in buying a Scottish club, but the SRU decided to the let them do something elsewhere.

"It is their loss."

National Division Three South is expected to be one of the most competitive leagues in the country with big spending Ealing and Rosslyn Park in its midst - as well as the recent return of Richmond.

The Exiles, who have risen from the depths of Herts & Middlesex Division One, have targeted promotion after finishing fifth last season.

They are thought to be in talks to add former Harlequins captain and England A international Paul Volley to their roster of ex-Premiership stars for the coming campaign.

But Logan has revealed it wouldn't be disastrous to their plans should they miss out on National Division Two rugby next season - and a return to the dark days of bankruptcy is not an option.

"There is a lot more money in the game these days. We have learnt from the mistakes of the past," he added.

"In the new world of professionalism last time there was always going to be one or two clubs that went to the wall, but now clubs are earning profits in excess of £1million a year.

"We need to look to the future and get the team right on and off the field. Promotion would be nice this season, but ideally we'd like it next year and then spend the next two seasons in Division Two."

Kew-based Logan, who has played for the Exiles in the famous derby game with Richmond, only retired from the professional game in 2005 and has already moved into a position upstairs'.

But he is adamant his role at the club will not include coaching or playing.

He said: "My role is to generate sponsorship and commercial success off the pitch. I will have a consultative role on the rugby side - if needed - but that is it. I'm certainly not playing again."

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