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The emotional reaction on Twitter after suspension of London Irish
By Liam Heagney
Tuesday evening’s demise of London Irish generated an avalanche of sympathy on Twitter, ranging from fellow Gallagher Premiership clubs, former internationals, former players, numerous broadcasters and even the ex-kitman at Wasps – another of the top-flight clubs to collapse since last September.
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It was shortly after 7pm when the RFU confirmed its decision to suspend London Irish from the 2023/24 Premiership, adding that they would not be permitted to play in any of its leagues following a failed American-led takeover bid and the unwillingness of the current owner Mick Crossan to continue to fund the club.
With London Irish players and staff having received only 50 per cent of their salaries in last week’s May payroll, a collective RFU, Premiership Rugby and RPA hardship fund has now been established to help those worst affected.
In the meantime, social media went into overdrive with a wide spectrum of people reacting to the Exiles falling out of the Premiership just months after Wasps and Worcester also fell by the wayside.
Former England international Tom May immediately reached out to those left in limbo by the club.
“Any London Irish players needing to look at opportunities outside of professional sport, please do get in touch,” he wrote. “FutureProof Pro have roles for athletes and is set up to help you. Please let any players know about this. It’ll make a big difference to some.”
Local rivals Harlequins, whose fixtures with London Irish have produced some cracking post-pandemic entertainment, commented: “Our sincere sympathies and best wishes to the players, coaches, supporters and all connected to London Irish at this incredibly difficult time.
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“Harlequins will now work closely with Premiership Rugby, The RFU and all key stakeholders to understand the implications of the suspension on the upcoming season and will be in contact with our supporters with further detail, including the club’s action plan.”
Quoting his own club’s tweet which stated: “Gloucester Rugby would like to express our sadness following the news of London Irish’s suspension from the Gallagher Premiership. Our thoughts are with the fans, staff and players,” Kingsholm CEO Lance Bradley said: “We are thinking of our many friends at London Irish this evening, and of course their fans and everyone else connected with the club.”
Andy Goode, the ex-England out-half and current media pundit, added: “Thoughts with every player, member of staff and fan of London Irish tonight. Such sad news to hear of the suspension from the leagues. Mismanagement and poor running of businesses across the league to blame.”
Fellow broadcaster Sonja McLaughlan said: “Always jumped at the chance to do a game at London Irish. A style of rugby that warmed the soul. Feel desperate for Declan Kidney, Les Kiss and everyone connected with the club. How ironic they had just finished as best of the rest in the league and now this. It’s a mess.”
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Next up, Alex Corbisiero, the club’s former Test-level prop. “Heartbroken for London Irish, thinking of all the players, staff and fans right now.”
The club’s Irish origins were recognised in a tweet from Rugby Players’ Ireland, who posted its message with a splendid picture of the late Gary Halpin in action in a 1990s London Irish jersey. “A home from home. Thinking of all those connected with London Irish – a great home for many an Irish player over the years. Hopefully, they can find a way out.”
A home from home ?
Thinking of all those connected with @londonirish – a great home for many an Irish player over the years.
Hopefully they can find a way out ??#MoreThanAPlayer pic.twitter.com/x0CBPUY2D1
— RugbyPlayersIreland (@RugbyPlayersIRE) June 6, 2023
Ex-Wasps kitman Pudsey Bevan wrote: “232 days ago this happened to me and 166 of my friends. I’m still not over it but if I can help anyone from London Irish, please get in touch.”
Scott Steele, the former Scotland scrum-half who spent six seasons at London Irish, stated: “Heartbreaking news. Thoughts go out to everyone involved with London Irish. Great club but more importantly great people.”
Broadcaster Sarra Elgan Easterby said: “Another sad day… Words are hard to find, and obviously not for the first time this season. Thoughts with all London Irish players, staff and fans.”
Stuart Barnes, another ex-Egland No10 who now also works in the media, wrote: “Feeling glum at London Irish news. A great old club I enjoyed playing against that is yet another subsumed despite doing so well on the pitch and with their academies.”
Journalist Neil Fissler reckoned: “Seems like London Irish players and staff were the subject of lies and p*** taking until the very end. Feel for them. Hopefully, they find clubs and new jobs ASAP.”
Fellow journalist Ashleigh Wilmost added: “Very, very sad news for London Irish today. It’s a brilliant club and truly heartbreaking to see another club’s financial failings lead to suspension from the Premiership. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the news: players, staff, volunteers and their wonderful fans.”
The final word goes to Gonzalo Tiesi, the retired Argentine player. “So sad news. London Irish gave me the chance to become a professional back in 2006. Great club, great people and better memories. Hope things can get sorted in the near future. In the meantime a big hug to all the London Irish community!”
Any @londonirish players needing to look at opportunities outside of professional sport, please do get in touch. @futureproofpro1 have roles for athletes & is set up to help you. Please let any players know about this. It’ll make a big difference to some. pic.twitter.com/Z1P3WLUasn
— Tom May (@TomMay1) June 6, 2023
Our sincere sympathies and best wishes to the players, coaches, supporters and all connected to London Irish at this incredibly difficult time.
Harlequins will now work closely with Premiership Rugby, The RFU and all key stakeholders to understand the implications of the… pic.twitter.com/BN1kOAMH7U
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) June 6, 2023
We’re thinking of our many friends at London Irish this evening, and of course their fans and everyone else connected with the club. https://t.co/ks4xurBMSK
— Lance Bradley (@Lance_Bradley_) June 6, 2023
Thoughts with every player, member of staff and fan of @londonirish tonight. Such sad news to hear of the suspension from the leagues. Mismanagement and poor running of businesses across the league to blame
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) June 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/Sonjamclaughlan/status/1666166573202014209
Heart Broken for London Irish, thinking of all the players, staff and fans right now ?
— Alex Corbisiero (@AlexCorbs) June 6, 2023
?. 232 days ago this happened to me and 166 of my friends. I’m still not over it but if I can help anyone from @londonirish please get in touch. #everykitmanknows.
— Pudsey (@WaspsKitMan) June 6, 2023
Heart breaking news. Thoughts go out to everyone involved with @londonirish . Great club but more importantly great people #BleedGreenAlways https://t.co/srDvzkNT6Y
— Scott Steele (@ScottSteele247) June 6, 2023
Another sad day….
Words are hard to find, and obviously not for the first time this season. Thoughts with all @londonirish players, staff and fans ??— Sarra Elgan Easterby (@Sarraelgan) June 6, 2023
Feeling glum at London Irish news. A great old club I enjoyed playing against that is yet another subsumed despite doing so well on the pitch and with their academies. @londonirish
— Stuart Barnes (@SBarnesRugby) June 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/neilfissler/status/1666148900288200715
Very, very sad news for @londonirish today?
It’s a brilliant club and truly heartbreaking to see another club’s financial failings lead to suspension from the Premiership. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the news: players, staff, volunteers and their wonderful fans.
— Ashleigh Wilmot (@Ashleigh_Wilmot) June 6, 2023
So sad news. @londonirish gave me the chance to become a professional back in 2006. Great club, great people and better memories. Hope things can get sorted in the near future, in the meantime a big hug to all the London Irish community! https://t.co/JfV9CC8fP8
— GONZALO TIESI (@GonzaTiesi) June 6, 2023
Really hope the 3 fallen clubs come back as phoenix clubs in whatever the new model may be. I know the plan is 10 & 10 right now, honestly think that may be too many. Ten team Premiership, eight team Championship.
I'd say however, the Prem needs to be ring-fenced for at least the next 3 seasons, if not 5 though. Need to protect the 10 remaining, that's just reality.