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'Disappointing' Baxter comments haven't landed well in Worcester
By Ian Cameron
Comments made by Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter to the BBC haven’t been entirely well received in some parts of the Gallagher Premiership.
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Worcester have been suspended from all competitions after failing to meet a Rugby Football Union deadline requesting proof of insurance cover and funding for the club’s monthly payroll at the start of the week.
The Warriors’ debts total more than £25million, including at least £6m in unpaid tax.
Baxter, who previously stated that he believed there might be too many teams in the Gallagher Premiership, ventured on BBC Devon: “It’s hard to see them playing any more part in this Premiership season.
“I’m not thinking that this is something which can be sorted out in two or three weeks’ time,” said Baxter. “It’s probably going to shock some people the time it takes to work through.
“At some stage, when the decision gets made as to whether they will be returning or not, there will be an evening out process. But, realistically, how long can it go on for?
“The only thing that might get sorted out in two or three weeks is a decision that they’re not taking part in the rest of this season.”
Some feel Baxter has overstepped the mark on his fellow Gallagher Premiership colleagues. One worst fan wrote: “Rob Baxter is a magnificent successful DOR. I’m not sure he has any expertise in the Administration period of Prem. rugby clubs or our situation. Perhaps a more appropriate question would be how much of Exe’s much vaunted occasional profit has come from SW Comms “sponsorship”?
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Rob Baxter is a magnificent successful DOR.
I’m not sure he has any expertise in the Administration period of Prem. rugby clubs or our situation.
Perhaps a more appropriate question would be how much of Exe’s much vaunted occasional profit has come from SW Comms “sponsorship”?
— Ian Smith (@biffosmith14) September 29, 2022
Another described his comments as ‘disappointing’. “So much for the ‘rugby family’. Disappointing comments from Rob Baxter, is this him seeing the opportunity for a smaller premiership regardless of the cost to Warriors and others?”
So much for the ‘rugby family’. Disappointing comments from Rob Baxter, is this him seeing the opportunity for a smaller premiership regardless of the cost to Warriors and others?
— Garry Lucas 💙 🇪🇺 (@GarryLucas1) September 29, 2022
Another Worcester-aligned account wrote: “Not too sure what these comments achieve apart from creating further anxiety for staff and players. I’d also take a guess they Rob has never been through an insolvency process before so has no idea what it involves. Very irresponsible and unhelpful comments.”
Not too sure what these comments achieve apart from creating further anxiety for staff and players.
I’d also take a guess they Rob has never been through an insolvency process before so has no idea what it involves.
Very irresponsible and unhelpful comments @ExeterChiefs— WRFC fan account (@wrfc1994) September 28, 2022
Another account thought the comments might have been part of a ploy to lure some Worcester players to Sandypark. “A little nudge in trying to unsettle one or more of our players he would like to sign probably. Not very classy.”
A little nudge in trying to unsettle one or more of our players he would like to sign probably. Not very classy ……..
— John Hope (@beetlebopop) September 29, 2022
Another observed: “The first point is it’s sod all to do with him. Unless he’s got inside info, he’s guessing. Secondly, why does he feel he needs to say any anything? Concentrate on your own issues!”
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Worcester is a variety of companies, many of which have bought assets from the main holding company, even the players contracts aren't with the company in administration. It's a shit show.
The owners have forced the holding company into administration but any buyer is going to want the lease on the surrounding land, the car park, the training facilities (which are first class). They are not going to buy the club without all the associated assets. These assets have been bought by other companies the owners have, they've basically stripped the club of assets and will sell them back to the new owners, and make a profit (i'm guessing).
Hands up, who thinks that is going to take 3-4 weeks? Not to mention the due diligence done on the new owners? Not to mention paying the various debtors.
If they are not able to come out of administration for 3-4 weeks, then the players need to get match fit, and then the league needs to determine how to re-balance fixtures because it's not fair to clubs who will have to play them vs clubs that received a forfeit.
Which players are going to move on? They can't because their contracts aren't owned by the club in administration but lets say that gets resolved... what does the Worcester team look like at that point? Are they going to be able to field a team that won't get hurt?
I'd say it's pretty fair to say, this is going to take a little while.
I love Worcester, I was part of their development squad, 20 years ago. I've met Cecil Duckworth, he used to give me lifts to the club as a teenager. He will be turning in his grave. But, pretending this is going to be resolved quickly and easily is not helping anyone.
Baxter has no clue. However relegation and division promotion must come back to get the juices flowing.
And money. Whether the ground is good enough or not.
Baxter is correct though. He's correct that there are too many clubs and he's correct that Worcester probably won't be sorted in a couple of weeks and the limbo is on top of everything else, unfair to the rest of the league. Knowing what we know now, frankly they never should have been allowed to begin the season.
Nothing against the players and staff at all, this is entirely on the ownership and PR for not doing their due diligence on these guys.
While the players and staff of the club itself are their ownership's biggest victims, the whole league is suffering now too as a result of this. Besides the embarrassment to the league, we also have a situation in which unless the league formally calls off Worcester's return this season, each week the team slated to play Worcs will also be in limbo, will they or won't they play that match?
This whole thing is a mess and I truly believe, at this point the best solution is to admit they aren't coming back this season, relegate them, and have them start in the Championship as a phoenix club once they are sorted with new ownership.