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Club-by-club look at what effect no fans will have on the Premiership's 13 stakeholders
By PA
Uncertainty shrouds the future of a number of Gallagher Premiership clubs after new restrictions preventing fans from attending matches in England for up to six months were implemented by the UK Government.
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In a sport where in-fighting is customary, owners, chairmen and chief executives have united in outlining the nature of the crisis they face in the absence of critical revenue generated by home crowds.
Many predict that Premiership clubs will fold without financial assistance from the state, while professional rugby in England could be forced to restructure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Here the PA news agency examines the outlook for all 13 Premiership stakeholders:
BATH
Bruce Craig has already dipped into his personal fortune to bankroll Bath since taking control at the Recreation Ground ten years ago and, with the former giants now challenging for the title once more, his interest will be as strong as ever.
There will never be another Twickers prawn sandwich for BoJo if Ugo gets his way 🥊https://t.co/2CdGUZ3Xpw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 24, 2020
BRISTOL
Billionaire owner Stephen Lansdown will ensure the Bears emerge intact from the choppy waters ahead, but the pandemic has halted their recent success in growing their supporter base.
EXETER
While vulnerable to the impact of Covid-19, the Chiefs are the only member of the Premiership in England not to operate at a loss. Devonian businessman Tony Rowe runs a tight ship and the club expect their strong financial foundations to see them through the storm.
GLOUCESTER
Chief executive Lance Bradley insists Gloucester will go out of business without crowds for six months and has urged the Government to provide financial aid to mitigate against losses forecast to be £6.2million.
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HARLEQUINS
A well run and well-supported club that recently staged a successful test event that saw 2,700 fans attend Twickenham Stoop. Quins may nevertheless be forced to call on the riches of co-owner Duncan Saville when the cash runs out.
LEICESTER
Welford Road’s 25,849 capacity is an enormous asset in less troubled times, but chairman Peter Tom has revealed that one of the board’s two aims is to ensure Leicester’s survival. Pumping the club’s CVC money back into the business was a shrewd move.
LONDON IRISH
The Exiles have been bankrolled by Mick Crossan since 2013, with the 2018/19 season alone costing him £4m. In April he declared it is a level of financial support he cannot afford and the ongoing absence of fans will only demand more funding.
NEWCASTLE
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Semore Kurdi has stabilised the Falcons’ finances since taking control in 2011, but with virtually no income coming in since February and cuts of at least 25 per cent already undertaken by most staff and players, the outlook for one of the Premiership’s smaller stakeholders is bleak.
NORTHAMPTON
Chairman John White is confident Saints will “weather this challenge in the near-term” but he has called for the Government to supply financial aid, saying Northampton are exploring ways for the return of fans to be accelerated. If the situation becomes dire, long-standing benefactor Keith Barwell would surely step in.
SALE
Co-owner Simon Orange revealed that clubs are losing £1m per month and even pre-coronavirus held the view that they are not sustainable businesses, but his investment company CorpAcq should have the capital to combat the crisis if no bailout is forthcoming.
SARACENS
An uncertain future awaits the fallen champions, who are waiting to learn when their season in the Championship begins. Nigel Wray stepped down as chairman in the wake of the salary cap scandal, but the millionaire owner continues to support the club.
WASPS
Chief executive Stephen Vaughan insists Wasps will lose £500,000 a month as a result of the new restrictions. The club is already mired in debt and is propped up by owner Derek Richardson, who is owed £18.3m and may have to dig deeper still.
WORCESTER
Owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham have stated that the Warriors are facing a battle for survival that will be lost if supporters are not allowed to attend for six months, forcing them to call for financial aid.
"If we have to go another six to nine months like this, it will be absolutely devastating"
– England's nuclear warning ☢️
https://t.co/TinKcBMZtN— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 24, 2020
