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Intervention could yet foil 'absolutely disgusting' move to erase Worcester
By
Chris Jones
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is reportedly in talks with the Rugby Football Union to block the sale of Worcester Warriors to the Atlas consortium who plan to disband the current club and erase its name from the sport.
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The Atlas plan involves creating ‘Sixways Rugby’ funding Stourbridge RFC who will play at Sixways Stadium in National League 2 West with the aim of moving up to Championship level by 2026.
However, the fate of the former Premiership club continues to be mired in controversy with City AM reporting the DCMS and the RFU are meeting today. The DCMS is expected to lobby against Worcester’s administrators Begbies Traynor selling the club to a bid that has not passed the RFU’s fit and proper tests.
Atlas, headed by Jim O’Toole and James Sandford, have not passed the RFU’s conditions and commercial restriction tests, which are understood to be related to the sale and use of land surrounding the club. Now, Atlas have revealed they are going to kill off Warriors leaving the creditors without payment and the club supporters without a team. They intend to move Stourbridge into the Sixways stadium.
Former players and supporters have taken to social media to express their anger at this dramatic turn of events. Ex-player Matt Garvey tweeting: “Absolutely gutted to read about Worcester Warriors. Not sure how this has been allowed to happen. Fingers crossed it’s not too late for some common sense to intervene. The community and supporters deserve more than this.”
Former Warriors team manager Luke Broadley said: “Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. What we feared has come true Worcester Warriors is no more and never will be. This process means no rugby creditor will be paid what they are owed. People have a lot to answer for.”
Northampton prop Ethan Waller, who played for Worcester, said: “Brutal to read the news about Worcester Warriors. I loved my time there and made some lifelong friendships – not to mention some unbelievable memories. The shirt on the wall means that little bit more now.”
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Veteran rugby writer Peter Jackson said: “So Worcester RFC, founded in 1871 and renamed Worcester Warriors almost 50 years ago, has been wiped off the face of the rugby map. What an unholy mess. Cecil Duckworth, whose money made the Warriors, will be spinning in his grave. Sixways Rugby? What kind of name is that?”
Stourbridge, who will hold a special general meeting to vote on the move, are bottom of National League 2 West with one win in 18 and are 13 points adrift from 13th place.
The RFU issued a statement following the Atlas announcement stating: “The RFU has been clear that its priority was to enable Worcester Warriors to play in the Championship and Worcester Warriors Women in the Premier 15s in a sustainable way.
“The information required has been asked for repeatedly and deadlines were extended to provide the best possible chance for this to happen. The RFU will now consult with the local rugby community over the proposed relocation of Stourbridge RFC and the change of name. Our priority is to ensure the best interests of rugby and the rugby community are preserved.
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“The RFU maintains its commitment to running the Midlands academy which it took over in November and the continuation of Worcester Warriors Women”.
