Steve Diamond breaks cover on his Worcester takeover plan

Former Worcester Warriors head coach Steve Diamond has broken ground on his bid to take over the club in the wake of their administration earlier his year.

Diamond and former Warriors sponsor Adam Hewitt were one of a number of bids to take over the failing club, but ultimately lost out. In October a rival consortium led by former owner Jim O’Toole and former Ireland U20s back row James Sandford was nominated as the preferred bidder by administrator Begbies Traynor.

However, all may not be lost for Diamond and Adam Hewitt, with news that preferred bidders – Atlas Worcester Warriors RFC Limited – and the RFU are at odds.

Yesterday the preferred bidders accused the RFU of “seeking to impose onerous operational conditions” on them. Atlas also say the “conditions, commercial restrictions and barriers” would prevent Worcester’s admission to the Championship for next season.

Worcester and Wasps both lost their Gallagher Premiership status after entering administration earlier this term, and it is understood there are now doubts whether or not Warriors will be granted Championship status.

Now Diamond has re-entered the dialogue, ‘confirming’ that his plan is still in place and ready to go.

“I can confirm that Adam Hewitt and I are fully committed to bringing Worcester Warriors back to the Premiership. We have the plan and the funding,” wrote Diamond on Twitter. “Give us the opportunity. We Will give you the rugby. Bring it on!”

#Together I Can confirm that Adam Hewitt and I are fully committed to bringing Worcester Warriors back to the Premiership. We have the plan and the funding. Give us the opportunity. We Will give you the rugby. Bring it on!

— Steve Diamond (@Steve_Dimes) December 15, 2022

Worcester collapsed into administration and were partially liquidated with HM Customs and Revenue pursuing unpaid tax in the region of £6 million.

Speaking in October, Diamond said: “My goal is to create a sustainable business that is able to compete back in the Premiership within the next three or four years, and allows professional rugby to thrive in Worcester,” said Diamond, who would be chief executive of the new venture.”

Diamond began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Sale Sharks and has also held coaching positions at Saracens, Russia and England Saxons, before returning to Sale Sharks. He took over at Worcester in 2021.

additional reporting PA