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Cohen on strike at Saints
Cohen strikes after captaincy snub
By Mark Kendall Last updated: 22nd August 2007
Cohen: on strike
Ben came to see me and said he was unhappy about not being appointed captain. He said: 'That's it, I'm off'. I am bitterly disappointed both with Ben's decision and also with his action in staying away.
Northampton chairman Keith Barwell
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England World Cup winner Ben Cohen has gone on strike at Northampton after being informed that he had not been selected as the club's new captain.
The 28-year-old, who has been at Franklin's Gardens for 11 seasons, was hoping to be awarded the captaincy following the Saints' relegation from the Guinness Premiership last term.
However, director of rugby Jim Mallinder opted to retain New Zealander Bruce Reihana as skipper for the second consecutive season - a decision that has provoked a furious reaction from Cohen.
The England international winger has not attended a training session since being told of the club's choice and has informed Northampton chairman Keith Barwell that he will now pursue a move from the club.
Staying away
"Ben came to see me and said he was unhappy about not being appointed captain," Barwell explained.
"He said: 'That's it, I'm off.' I am bitterly disappointed both with Ben's decision and also with his action in staying away.
"He has been a brilliant servant to the club for more than 11 years but no man is bigger than the club.
"It is the director of rugby's responsibility to appoint the captain and I support Jim's choice of Bruce Reihana wholeheartedly - his decision must be final."
Barwell went on to insist that the club would not be releasing Cohen who still has a year left to run on his contract at Franklin's Gardens.
The powerful winger has been linked with a move to Leicester, but it seems likely Northampton will have to be substantially compensated if they are to be persuaded to let Cohen move on.
"Ben's contract with the club runs until the end of the coming season and he is not able to play for any other club in the meantime," Mallinder added.
Saddened
A spokesman for Cohen - who has ruled himself out of England's World Cup defence to spend time with his pregnant wife - insisted the player had not wanted the dispute to take on such hostile proportions.
"Ben is saddened by the way the club have behaved and hoped that their differences could be dealt with amicably and privately.
"Given the Saints' relegation to Division One, Ben was to keen to take on more responsibility and saw the challenge of the captaincy as one he would have relished for the club he has played for his whole career and cares for deeply."
Cohen has made 270 appearances for Northampton since his debut against Treorchy in 1996 and won 57 caps for England, scoring 31 tries.
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Comments (8)
Simon Redshaw says...
I don't know enough of how Saints treated him to make too much comment, although I am not sure how Northampton have shown a lack of discretion. Maybe I have missed something! That said, I agree that Ben Cohen has come out of this poorly and has acted like a petulant child, throwing his toys out of the pram because the club didn't end up giving him the captaincy. He has been a long time at Saints but you can't have one or two players thinking they are bigger then a club and running the show. Can't see Tigers wanting Ben Cohen, to be honest. He's not the sort of character who would fit in and by the looks of this, he wouldn't like not having the captaincy at Tigers and would sulk too. Maybe he just doesn't want to play in Division 1 but could have been more honest about that, if that was the case.
Posted 08:41 25th August 2007
Henry Moon says...
Northampton do have a record of showing players the door in a shabby way. After Ben's spell at the club, he was evidently pinning all his hopes on leading them back to the Premiership, perhaps assuming that after last season's debacle they would change the skipper. He's understandably upset. So what do Northampton do? They get straight on the blower and make this a headline story in every rugby section and on every rugby site. If this doesn't force him out, then they'll try something else to lower the wage bill.
Posted 08:21 25th August 2007
Karen Day says...
As a Leicester Tigers fan, I would welocme Ben. Mainly because he is GORGEOUS !!
Posted 12:56 23rd August 2007
Dave Parry says...
Two sides to this I reckon... Cohen... stop behaving like a child and deal with the fact that professional rugby demands certain qualities of a captain. Qualities which this little strop has most definitely proven that you DO NOT have. For me this is still the fall out from Saints relegation to National One. Perhaps a last ditch attempt to obtain a transfer to a premiership club. Strike for the right reasons Ben - fair treatment, pay or a decent benefits packages. Don't strike because you disagree with the coach. That said... Northampton perhaps should have shown more discretion in dealing with this matter. Controversey has never been too far away in recent years and perhaps that has as much to do with the clubs policy on commenting on internal matters than anything else. All the best for a swift return to the top flight Saints. Don't let one small element of an otherwise very capable team let you down.
Posted 10:50 23rd August 2007
Jon Tiffen says...
Dawson was forced out of Saints too. Seems if you devout your life to Saints they run off and choose anybody else. Good luck at the Tigers Ben.
Posted 08:10 23rd August 2007
Ron Burgandy says...
Grow up man! I didn't get the promotion at work I was hoping for - I haven't gone on strike! If I had, I would have probably been sacked! Over the last 11 years at Northampton i would have thought you would have built up an idea of how a team operates. It doesn't invole throwing your toys out of your pram!
Posted 16:31 22nd August 2007
Tony Pentland says...
I have been a great supporter of Ben Cohen even before he came to fame Northampton Saints has been his life and soul for 11 years. He has made many personal sacrifices for the club putting them first before family and its sad that the club in his benefit year can not resolve the matter privately with Ben. Ben could have decided to move from Northampton but stayed to devote himself to the club and in my view he is a good first choice as team captain.
Posted 14:47 22nd August 2007
David Herbert says...
Best thing that could have happened. He has not had any form for years, and if someone is going to refuse to play after not recieving the captaincy, they dont deserve to play in any team. Smacks of petulance
Posted 14:03 22nd August 2007