You keep saying 'poaching', but he was not poached, I believe he talked to some friends over here and decided this is where he would rather be.
And PUH-LEASE do not even get me started on fear/intimidation tactics, you have some over there on your own side that do it also.
And if you are correct about only about 500 players joining in the world, at one point you had 120+, so you probably had 25% of the players in the world, and should have dominated. Not sure what happened, but you should have had the bull by the horns and taking cities like crazy. Should have immediately turned and come at us as soon as we were out of beginner protection, but chose not to, and let us grow instead and catch up. Just downhill from there. And you have golders, please do not imply that you do not. I have played with many on your side, and I know who likes red heads over there probably more than you do!
You have some decent players over there, as do most of the other groups in the world, you guys and gals just did not come out guns blazing like you should have. Should have taken the plunge and gone for it!