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It goes on to claim that reporters do not care about the club, despite the thousands of pounds the paper puts in for sponsorship at its ground every year.

"They are only concerned with increasing their own audiences - they don't care about the success of Bristol Shoguns, so we must be cautious in our relations with reporters."

The Post pays the club £4,000 a year for perimeter advertising and a share of £12,000 paid to Bristol Rovers for elevated signage.

The Evening Post's "Comment" column stormed: "You might think that given the urgent need to push as many thousands of spectators as possible through the Memorial Stadium's turnstiles, this now professional outfit would want as much publicity as it can get. Especially when it comes free.

"Think again. Players who have signed on the dotted line, putting their names to lucrative contracts, no longer appear totally free to talk to who they want.

"A memo from the club, now, because of sponsorship called Bristol Shoguns, tells players to have no discussions with reporters - unless it's good news.

"Life, whether it's on the rugby pitch, or anywhere else for that matter, just isn't like that. There are good times and bad times and most people talk about them. Except at Bristol Rugby Club, it seems."

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nepmidlands.co.uk