Worcester MP Robin Walker has welcomed rapid action by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in taking Worcester Warriors into administration. The MP had previously called for administration to take place alongside Worcestershire colleagues Harriet Baldwin, Rachel MacLean, Mark Garnier, and Sajid Javid. He then pushed the case for the action in a parliamentary adjournment debate last week (Thursday, September 22). Following DCMS announcement last night (Monday, September 26) that the club is to go into administration with immediate effect he is now urging Ministers to ensure there is a thorough process to investigate all the transactions that have taken place over the past two years, and the complex network of holding companies in which the assets of the club are being held.
Robin has welcomed statements from Premiership Rugby Limited and the Rugby Football Union as well as an avalanche of supportive messages from other Premiership Clubs that imply they would welcome a rapid return of the Worcester Warriors to Premiership rugby. He also took the opportunity to congratulate both the Worcester Warriors and their sister team the University of Worcester Warriors on astounding winning performances over the weekend. He praised the extraordinary spirit of togetherness showed by players and staff at Sixways which allowed the Warriors to put on a spectacular performance at their last home game before being suspended. Their bonus point winning performance against Newcastle Falcons set out a clear statement of intent from the team who have stuck together through an extremely difficult period of uncertainty. Meanwhile the University of Worcester Warriors, who he praised for their spectacular result against Harlequin’s last week, pulled off yet another win against Exeter on Sunday. This means that they head into suspension unbeaten.
Whilst he regrets that the RFU suspension will mean both teams face missing some of their upcoming fixtures, Robin has welcomed the fact that it is a temporary suspension, giving them the chance to resume their campaigns as and when the financial situation is resolved.
Robin has been in touch with both the consortia who have expressed an interest in buying the club out of administration and urged them to contact the administrators immediately to explore how they can help to accelerate the process. Rapid action will ensure that all the assets at, and around, Sixways are secured for the club.
Commenting, Robin said:
“I am grateful that DCMS have listened to and acted on the concerns of fans, staff and players at the Warriors and the many teams that they support. Securing the future of Sixways is a priority for us all and I am profoundly grateful for the support of all my Worcestershire colleagues in Parliament, local councils and so many constituents.
“It was an honour to be able to speak up In Parliament for my team and if it has made a small difference to the chances of this process working through In a positive way I will be forever grateful. I know that this must still be a deeply worrying time for all the staff at Sixways and every fan that loves this club.
“The players showed true Warrior spirit to deliver a weekend of victories and I am hopeful to see them back in winning form before very long at all. It is clear that the administrators will have the whole rugby world urging them to succeed.”
