FORMER Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby Steve Diamond has delivered a withering verdict on the end of Worcester Warriors.
Diamond, who led a consortium including Warriors sponsor Adam Hewitt to buy the Sixways side, delivered his assessment on social media amid reports the club’s name will disappear.
Writing on social media, Diamond said: “Goodbye Warriors. My thoughts RIP Worcester Warriors. RIP Duckworth legacy.
RIP Warriors supporters. RIP Rugby Creditors, RIP Stourbridge RFC. RIP.Elite Rugby
The Staff,Players & suppliers have been shafted.
“Frying pan into 🔥”
Rings a bell.”
However a u-turn could be on the cards as co-owner James Sandford told the BBC on Friday evening (February 10) he and Jim O’Toole ‘got it wrong’ over the rebranding of Warriors as ‘Sixways Rugby’.
His comments came on the day Worcester’s MP, Mayor and city council leader called for talks to secure a local Championship side.
Robin Walker has written to DCMS ministers to pass on the concerns of many constituents who want to see a resumption of professional rugby under the Worcester Warriors banner.
”Securing elite professional rugby at Sixways has always been at the heart of both my and local councils interest in the future of the ground and we made clear right at the start of the process that whatever the ownership, the only way development would take place at or around the ground would be if the interests of sport and the community were at its heart,” Mr Walker said.
“Breaking the link between Sixways and Worcester does not seem an obvious way to go about supporting that.
“There are tens of thousands of rugby fans in and around Worcester and I would urge anyone looking to the future of Sixways to engage with them, hear their views and make sure we can move forward together.
“I will meet with the new owners to ensure I fully understand their plan for rugby and how these relate to their wider plans but I will also be asking the questions that my constituents rightly want answers to.
“I am glad to have had assurances from the RFU about their ongoing support for the academy and the women’s side who will be playing in the Premier 15s next year, but I have urged them to leave the door open to Atlas to engage on championship rugby and I will urge Atlas to walk through that door to speak with them.”
Labour’s Mayor of Worcester, Coun Adrian Gregson said: “The links between Worcester Warriors and Sixways are a crucial part of Cecil Duckworth’s legacy for the city.
“Breaking that link would be a backward step. I hope Worcester’s place in the top tiers of the professional game can be maintained in the interests of Worcester and of rugby.”
Coun Chris Mitchell, leader of Worcester City Council said: “Professional rugby at Sixways is at the heart of Worcester City and Worcester residents will be hugely disappointed at the news we have heard from Atlas.
“The return of professional rugby to Sixways is vital to the city and anything the council can do to support that we will.”
