Jim O'Toole issues statement on Worcester takeover bid

Former Worcester Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole has announced he has submitted a bid “to ensure the long-term sustainability” of the club.

O’Toole said his plans were dependent on the Premiership club being placed into administration, which would incur an automatic 35-point penalty for the new season.

O’Toole’s statement said: “I can confirm that James Sandford of Atlas SportsTech Limited and I have today submitted a proposal to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) regarding the funding and the future of Worcester Warriors rugby club.

“This includes a commitment to multi-year operational funding and to meeting the repayment of the long-term government loan.

“The success of this proposal is dependent on the relevant entities being placed into immediate administration which we have encouraged the DCMS to implement.

“We believe we have a compelling, innovative and robust plan to re-engineer the commercial model of the club using the available assets alongside significant input from our American partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of professional rugby for the community, the city and our broader hinterland, while ensuring the legacy of the Duckworth family remains at the heart of the club.”

Worcester are reportedly on the brink of administration following a winding-up petition over unpaid tax being issued by HM Revenue & Customs last week.

The owners, Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, are opposed to the club going into administration and said they remain in ongoing discussions with HMRC, Premiership Rugby, the RFU and the DCMS.

Worcester MP Robin Walker has said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation and has called for an urgent meeting with local councils to “ensure that any future proposals for the club and its grounds have the interests of community and the sport at its heart.”

Worcester are scheduled to launch the Premiership season at London Irish on September 10.