Warriors co-owners hit back at MPs’ call to put club into administration
Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, Worcester Warriors’ co-owners, have hit back at local MPs for calling for the club to be put into administration, claiming that a potential buyer is “moving at an especially rapid pace”.
The reaction came after four Worcestershire MPs – Robin Walker, in whose constituency Sixways is sited, Harriett Baldwin, Rachel Maclean and Mark Garnier issued a statement on Monday morning saying that they have called for action from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS].
The only MP within the county not included is Mid Worcestershire’s Nigel Huddleston, the DCMS minister.
The latest development comes as the club still faces a winding-up petition from HMRC, who are owed over £6m, plus a long list of other creditors.
Goldring and Whittingham said they were “disappointed” by the calls made from the MPs.
“The DCMS knows that three sets of buyers are in discussions with us. All three buyers are serious propositions and all the deals being considered would avoid the club going into administration. One of the buyers is moving at an especially rapid pace,” they said.
“Avoiding administration is in the best interests of the club’s creditors, not to mention its players and staff.”
Goldring and Whittingham emphasised they have kept the DCMS “fully informed” about the financial situation at Worcester Warriors.
“They are aware of the options which are on the table to save the club together with the disastrous implications posed to the club by any administration, in particular the risk of losing the club’s P-share.”
They said that pursuing a deal which includes payment to all creditors as well as working capital best serves the club and the local community and therefore the DCMS has been giving the club time to pursue viable options.
“On the other hand, forcing Worcester Warriors into administration as these MPs have asked risks the club losing its players and staff, losing its P share, wiping off the debt owed to local businesses and to HMRC, and incurring severe RFU sanctions.”
Goldring and Whittingham also pointed to recent reports that all 13 Premiership rugby clubs are in debt – “most of them for more than Worcester Warriors”.
They added: “Warriors were close to having vital funding in place that would have allowed us to move the club forward to be a sustainable operation. The winding up petition issued by HMRC prevented that deal being closed.”
What the MPs said in full:
Worcester MP Walker said: “Enough is enough. I wanted to give every opportunity for a solution to be found which would avoid the club going into administration, but it is now clear that this is not in sight.”
Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “With great regret, the appalling mismanagement of the club under the current owners means that I do have to support this difficult decision to place the club into administration. This now appears to be the only way forward.
Maclean, MP for Redditch, said: “The future of the Warriors is vital across the whole county, including my constituency, I know the huge affection and regard in which it is held. Securing its future is vital for all of us.”
Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, said: “Cecil Duckworth’s immense legacy the Warriors needs to be protected. I am joining my fellow Worcestershire MPs in calling for action to protect this wonderful asset for our county as swiftly as possible.”
“We understand that we are under scrutiny and that our actions are being questioned,” added the owners. “Our best response to this is to stay focused and put all our time and energy into getting the best deal for the club, its players, staff, partners, sponsors and creditors across the line – and that is what we continue to do.”
