Wakefield's demise provides a stark warning for all clubs

In a letter to the Yorkshire Post, in response to Bill Bridge's bygones feature on the Wakefield RFC story (April 26), Cruise makes an emotive plea to the region's clubs to be diligent with finances and player development.

Cruise, now chairman of youth development at Selby, played for Wakefield between 1980 and 1984 and outlined three key areas that should serve as a blueprint for rugby clubs.

He said: "I do believe there are a few lessons which for the good of the game in general, clubs need to remember as we move forward in the professional/ semi-professional era.

"Firstly, it is infrastructure. Clubs must spend time building senior teams; two, three, four and five. It's not just about the first team, it's about getting as many players enjoying the game and playing for their club.

"When I joined Wakefield we had four teams and a Colts side. In the end, it was just one team.

"Sure, the first team is important, however, for the longevity of the club they must also, wherever possible, ensure that all revenues are retained within the rugby club. Being part of a sports club where bar revenue does not hit your accounts, is a recipe for disaster."

He continued: "Secondly, youth development. Too much time, effort and money is spent on recruiting older players on the 'gravy train' or players from overseas, rather than building from within.

"It's very hard to build a good youth section and one where boys are retained within the club and not just a carbon copy of the local private school team – it doesn't happen overnight.

"At Selby, it's taken us the best part of 10 years to have a team in every age group from under-six to under-19. As a result, the average age of our first team has reduced by seven years in the last five seasons and we have eight boys in our first-team squad who are 21 or below.

"Teams who survive in the future will either have a major benefactor or a good youth set-up. Teams like Old Brodleians, Dinnington, Yarnbury and indeed Selby to name a few, have the correct focus."

Wakefield went out of business in 2004 after 103

years of existence because they could not cope with the increased dependence on finances in the professional era.

And Cruise said: "Finally, it's payments. We need to stop paying over-rated, over-aged players, and clubs need to find their own level.

"If you're a club currently paying players, ask yourself why? For whose benefit? And where will it get you?

"Nine times out of 10 you may as well speculate on the stock market with the money because it is mainly wasted."

In summary, Cruise said: "It's unfortunately too late for Wakefield RFC but there are many ex-players of the club still involved in Yorkshire rugby.

"Ray Adamson is still playing and captain of Selby's fifth team, Dave Scully is now at Wheatley Hills. Mike Harrison and Bryan Barley are only just retired, Steve Townend, Angus Moran, Roger Burman, Mike Watson, Dave Herron, Jim Kilfoyle, Mark Sowerby have coached and managed clubs at a high level.

"Clive Harris is heavily involved in the youth section at Old Brods. Martin Shuttleworth has acted as agent to the stars for a few years and, believe it or not, Terry Garnett is now making a big impact as a fast-track referee.

"We all meet a few times per year in various rugby locations but we all struggle when we drive past College Grove and see football posts erected on a pitch where we gave almost 15 years service.

"Lessons have to be learned or we may see other clubs going the same way as Wakefield did.

"Build an infrastructure, promote and develop youth rugby, retain revenue and find your own level."