Romance must make way for reality

12:52pm Monday 31st March 2008

When Harlequins RL boss Brian McDermott was asked recently whether he would be strengthening the squad in the wake of their injury crisis, his answer was swift and decisive.

There was money to spend, he explained, and their overseas quota had still to be filled, but that was not the route they planned to travel down.

His reason? That London fans want to see young London players playing for a London club - and that Quins were focusing their efforts on building their Academy system.

Now I have no problem with this philosophy, but what I do take issue with is the assumption that sports fans only want local lads representing their clubs.

This discussion invariably raises its head when talk turn to Arsenal, with disparaging remarks about them being French', or not really an English club' usually the order of the day.

But do you honestly believe Gunners fans care where a player was born, as long as he wears the shirt with pride and the team is winning?

The days of players living on the same street as the fans and enjoying a pint down the local are long gone, and these romantic images do not belong in the modern game.

I am a Cardiff City supporter and, a few years back, our chairman at the time Sam Hammam announced the club were only going to sign Welsh players and he wanted the club to represent the whole country - which went down a storm in Swansea and Wrexham!

How long did this idea last? About a couple of months - when common sense prevailed and the club realised that, if they were to progress, they needed to nurture the best talent, not some hare-brained demographic scheme.

I am not disputing the importance of having local talent in the set-up. After all, there is nothing more inspiring for youngsters than to read tales of kids going from supporting on the terraces to playing for their local clubs.

My argument is that the globalisation of sport has made the birthplace of a player less and less relevant.

I certainly believe this is the case for Harlequins RL - a fledgling franchise trying to make its mark in a sport dominated by the north of England.

With attendances at worryingly low levels despite a good start to the season, an inject-ion of high-profile glamour could be what the club needs.

Building for the future is one thing - but ignoring the present is a dangerous tightrope to walk.

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