ABERGAVENNY RFC'S head coach Gary Lawrence and forwards coach Gareth Taylor have both called it a day with the club after a disappointing season that saw the claret and ambers yet again relegated to Division Three East in the space of three years.

And it was precisely that ugly and all too familiar spectre of Relegation which was the key factor in Lawrence's decision to quit.

"Even though I've throughly enjoyed my time with Abergavenny and wish them all the best for the future, I still don't think the club is at present geared to survival in a higher division," explained Lawrence who has spent a sum total of eight years with the town's only rugby club.

"The problem as I see it, is mainly a financial one. The club at present do not seem willing to take the monetary risk necessary to make an impact at a higher level, and certain elements within the structure of Abergavenny RFC seem content in just cruising along in the lower divisions for forever and a day.

"Now I know you can say money is the root of all evil, especially it seems in regard to rugby, but because of the times we live in, it is sometimes the only option to spend if you're searching for a consistent spell of success in the environment of modern sport."

The former head coach added, "You've got to attract the players to produce the performances. and I'm the first to admit that money is definitely not the only, or even most essential ingredient in creating a winning formula, but these days it certainly helps a great deal."

A resigned Lawrence concluded by once again wishing Abergavenny all the best for the future, before warning, "I really do hope the club adapts and flourishes in the modern era, but to do that you need a lot of ambition, and I think there is a shortfall of ambition from certain quarters in the club at the moment.

"I believe a big problem Abergavenny will find come the arrival of the 2009/10 season, is that there are at present loads of players in the club with bucketfuls of ambition, but no proper infrastructure in place to support it.

"Now will those same players stick around, or be lured away by other clubs who can offer more?

"That is the question, and one Aber will have to answer satisfactorily in the near future if they're to make another stab at promotion.

"Personally I hope they do, but as for me, I've had 20 years of coaching so I'm going to take a break for the time being and wait to see what's waiting around the corner."