Bedford Blues 'ripe for investment' - Rayer
Bedford Blues' director of rugby Mike Rayer believes the Champ club is an attractive proposition for any potential investor.
Mike Rayer won 21 senior international caps for Wales [Getty Images] As the last remaining part-time club in rugby union's Champ play-offs, director of rugby Mike Rayer believes anyone wanting to invest in the sport should look no further than Bedford Blues. The Goldington Road club host Coventry in the semi-finals on Friday night (19:45 BST) for the right to meet either Ealing Trailfinders or Worcester Warriors in the final on Sunday, 31 May. "Bedfordshire is a growing county and I'm sure the board would welcome significant investment and try to develop this place and push it forward," Blues stalwart Rayer told BBC Look East.
"We're probably more ripe than any other club in England because we actually break even or make a small profit every year so why wouldn't you want to invest in a company that doesn't lose money? "It makes so much sense for someone to come in here and do that but obviously it has to be the right person and the right sort of investment. " Bedford Blues spent two seasons in the Premiership around the turn of the century [Getty Images] The Welshman has been in charge at Bedford since 2005, leading them to the British and Irish Cup final in 2011 and the Championship final in 2013.
Victory in this year's play-off final would see Bedford remain a Champ club with traditional promotion and relegation to and from the Prem scrapped from the start of next season but that has not changed Rayer's approach. "The Championship is the best competition in England for club rugby," he said. "Our way in the immediate future is blocked so all you can do is aspire to be the best at your level.
That's a realistic hope for all of us in the Champ - to look forward to the play-offs every year and potentially a play-off final. " Bedford finished the regular season in second place, 30 points behind top side Ealing but ahead of their opponents Coventry who, along with divisional rivals Worcester, Doncaster and Cornish Pirates, are a full-time club. "We're the only part-time team left in the semi-finals which says a lot about how the place is run from the boardroom down," added Rayer.