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Leeds plan to reveal quality signings to prove they can survive after university split
ANDY KEY insists Leeds Carnegie's playing budget for the Guinness Premiership will not be affected by Leeds Metropolitan University's decision to relinquish their majority stake in the rugby union club.
Leeds Met yesterday surrendered their 51 per cent shareholding in Leeds, sparking fears that the Yorkshire club, who are already favourites to be relegated next season, would suffer financially in their attempts to compete in the top flight.
However, the club's director of rugby says Leeds remain in a position to push ahead with their recruitment drive and will be announcing the signing of three 'Premiership standard' players early next week.
"It does not affect our budget at all," said Key of the funding split with Leeds Met. "We will be announcing the signing of three players next week.
"They are all of a Premiership standard. One currently plays in the Premiership, one in the French Top 14, the other in Super 14.
"They have all played at the highest level, two have international experience and the other has played at A and B level.
"And these three aren't the end of our recruitment, there's probably another two mimumum we will be bringing in. This news has not changed our recruitment plans."
Leeds's budget still falls short of hitting the 4m salary cap ceiling the likes of Gloucester and Leicester are banging their heads against.
Leeds's inactivity in the market compared to the majority of clubs like Newcastle who have snapped up released Leeds players Tom Biggs and Rob Vickerman, has heightened the tension among fans.
But Key stressed: "We were never going to be in a position in year one to match what the big boys are going to be spending.
"The aim for us is to put plans in place to get towards that financial mark over time.
"Until then, our job is always going to be that little harder. We have had to speak to these players a little longer than any other club because we have to convince them what Leeds are about.
"And these signings are all confident we can achieve what we want to next season.
"We are making signings for the right reasons and not just picking up players that are available but might not fit the bill."
And should they achieve their survival goal next season, the Yorkshire Post can reveal that Leeds will be elevated to full shareholder status in 2010-11, which would see them receive the same amount of funding as the Premiership big guns.
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "It takes a club eight consecutive years to earn that status, but PRL have assured us they will accelerate us in recognition of Leeds having played a role in the development of the Premiership, our top performing academy and because we meet all the criteria they strive for.
"This next season we will be operating on 75 per cent funding from PRL (1.5m), but full status in 2010-11 would mean we receive maximum funding (2m).
"That would mean a difference of around 1m and would at last bring us in line with established Premiership clubs."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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