Steve Diamond pulls out of TV appearance: 'I've spoken to my lawyers'
Former Worcester Warriors head coach Steve Diamond has pulled out of an appearance on BT Sport's Rugby Tonight after it was revealed that his consortium is not the preferred bidder to buy Worcester Warriors.
Worcester collapsed into administration and were partially liquidated this month with HM Customs and Revenue pursuing unpaid tax in the region of £6 million. They are currently suspended from the Premiership and face relegation at the end of the season.
Atlas Worcester Warriors Rugby Club Limited - a consortium led by James Sandford and former owner Jim O'Toole - have been named as the preferred bidders by the administrators Begbies Traynor.
They in effect have beaten Diamond's own project to take over the club. Diamond's "Sixways Village" bid would have seen the former head coach backed by long-time friend Mike Blood and ex-Leicester CEO Simon Cohen.
Diamond was due on BT Rugby Tonight with Craig Doyle, Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Lawrence Dallaglio, but pulled out as the news broke. According to Doyle, Diamond told BT Sport that: "The word from Steve Diamond who we spoke to a short time ago was: 'I've spoken to my lawyers. I've heard nothing.' "
Whoever ultimately takes over, it's positive news and a step closer to Worcester returning to competitive rugby next season.
News broke earlier this evening on the BBC of the preference for the O'Toole-Sandford lead deal, which is apparently partially backed by American money.
Administrator Julie Palmer said on regional radio station BBC Hereford & Worcester that: "They have committed to the transaction financially by putting a sizeable deposit down for the preferred-bidder status. That's very important as we still have tight timelines to work with, with the RFU and PRL, in terms of them understanding the shape of the league for next season.
"And what we didn't want to do was to waste time in discussions with someone who didn't proceed. So that preferred-bidder deposit is a real key aspect of them showing that they are committed to this and that they do intend to follow the whole acquisition through."
The group say on their new website that: "Atlas Worcester Warriors Rugby Club Limited was formed specifically as a vehicle to support the owner’s aspiration and willingness to provide a financial rescue package to, and acquire control of Worcester Warriors, the English Premiership Rugby Club."
additional reporting PA
Latest Comments
All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
Go to comments