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Steve Diamond breaks cover on his Worcester takeover plan
By Ian Cameron
Former Worcester Warriors head coach Steve Diamond has broken ground on his bid to take over the club in the wake of their administration earlier his year.
Diamond and former Warriors sponsor Adam Hewitt were one of a number of bids to take over the failing club, but ultimately lost out. In October a rival consortium led by former owner Jim O’Toole and former Ireland U20s back row James Sandford was nominated as the preferred bidder by administrator Begbies Traynor.
However, all may not be lost for Diamond and Adam Hewitt, with news that preferred bidders - Atlas Worcester Warriors RFC Limited - and the RFU are at odds.
Yesterday the preferred bidders accused the RFU of “seeking to impose onerous operational conditions” on them. Atlas also say the “conditions, commercial restrictions and barriers” would prevent Worcester’s admission to the Championship for next season.
Worcester and Wasps both lost their Gallagher Premiership status after entering administration earlier this term, and it is understood there are now doubts whether or not Warriors will be granted Championship status.
Now Diamond has re-entered the dialogue, 'confirming' that his plan is still in place and ready to go.
"I can confirm that Adam Hewitt and I are fully committed to bringing Worcester Warriors back to the Premiership. We have the plan and the funding," wrote Diamond on Twitter. "Give us the opportunity. We Will give you the rugby. Bring it on!"
Worcester collapsed into administration and were partially liquidated with HM Customs and Revenue pursuing unpaid tax in the region of £6 million.
Speaking in October, Diamond said: “My goal is to create a sustainable business that is able to compete back in the Premiership within the next three or four years, and allows professional rugby to thrive in Worcester,” said Diamond, who would be chief executive of the new venture."
Diamond began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Sale Sharks and has also held coaching positions at Saracens, Russia and England Saxons, before returning to Sale Sharks. He took over at Worcester in 2021.
additional reporting PA
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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