'It's a disgrace' - player's outrage at Yorkshire Carnegie over signing of Joe Ford

Yorkshire Carnegie this week agreed a deal to bring fly-half Joe Ford back to the club for a fourth time from Gallagher Premiership side Leicester Tigers – but it hasn’t gone down well in all quarters.

The 29-year-old older brother of England’s George Ford has spent the past two seasons at the Tigers making 23 appearances and scoring 116 points.

However, the signing of the player by the financially troubled Championship club has triggered a backlash on Twitter – from one of the club’s own players.

Backrow Daniel Temm wrote on the social media platform that the signing of a player of Ford’s profile was ‘unbelievable’ considering what some current players are going through at the club.

“I find it truly unbelievable that Yorkshire Rugby are able to sign a guy like
Joe Ford with premiership credentials. They have players who they signed and moved their families across the country and the world who have received 15 pence to the pound on agreed contracts!

I find it truly unbelievable that @carnegierugby are able to sign a guy like @_JoeyFord with premiership credentials. They have players who they signed and moved their families across the country and the world who have received 15 pence to the pound on agreed contracts! We now1/2

— Daniel (@danieltemm3) August 2, 2019

“We now have players who played 30 games for the club last year who are now receiving personal medical bills from companies as the club is not willing to cover Xrays and MRIs that were undergone by players on recommendations and necessity from the clubs medical staff.”

Have players who played 30 games for the club last year who are now receiving personal medical bills from companies as the club is not willing to cover Xrays and MRIs that were undergone by players on recommendations and necessity from the clubs medical staff. But whilst this 2/3

— Daniel (@danieltemm3) August 2, 2019

“This is happening the board who have lead the club into this financial crisis are left to operate how they please with no consequences. The thing for me as a player is that this issue isn’t just a financial issue. It is something that the England Rugby/RFU needs to look into.”

This is happening the board who have lead the club into this financial crisis are left to operate how they please with no consequences. The thing for me as a player is that this issue isn’t just a financial issue. It is something that the @EnglandRugby RFU needs to look into as 3

— Daniel (@danieltemm3) August 2, 2019

The New Zealander was backed on Twitter by former player Andy Saul, who said if medical bills weren’t being paid then legal proceeding against the club should be taken. “Did they stop paying medical insurance? If so that is a serious issue that could probably go to court, I’m pretty sure it’s illegal!”

https://twitter.com/andysaull/status/1157397304820809729

Another former player previously branded the club a disgrace.

“I played for 2 years at Yorkshire Carnegie and it’s a disgrace to see how they have treated not only my 2 brothers but all the guys there. I’ve seen first hand how much hardship it is causing and if people really knew just half of how bad it’s been managed they’d be disgusted!”

I played for 2 years at @carnegierugby rugby and it’s a disgrace to see how they have treated not only my 2 brothers but all the guys there. I’ve seen first hand how much hardship it is causing and if people really knew just half of how bad it’s been managed they’d be disgusted!!

— michael mayhew (@Branchie87) June 13, 2019

The financially stricken club has been set a target of getting all creditors to agree to the terms of the CVA by August 9. If not, the could potentially be handed a 28-point deduction before a ball has even been kicked in the new Championship season.

An RFU statement explained: “If the club stays up despite the points deduction, or would have been relegated anyway even without the points deduction, then there is a further deduction in the following season. The case remains subject to review.”

Last week Richmond issued a statement slamming the decision not to relegate Yorkshire for financial mismanagement.

“Richmond are disappointed with the decision of the RFU Board that Yorkshire Carnegie can remain a Championship Club and will be seeking a review of that decision.

“The reality is that Yorkshire Carnegie stand to suffer no sanction whatsoever as any potential points deduction is to all intents and purposes illusory.”