THE FUTURE of Worcester Warriors took another dramatic turn yesterday after the firm which owns the club was sold in a move which has protected more than 60 jobs and kept hopes of restoring elite-level rugby to the city alive.
Business advisory firm Quantuma revealed in a statement it had completed a pre-pack administration sale of Atlas Worcester Warriors Rugby Club to Junction 6 Limited.
The new consortium, led by Wasps owner Chris Holland and with the support from Worcester’s business community, has now revealed ambitious plans to return professional sport to Sixways.
The Worcester Warriors Foundation, which had to leave Sixways following the club’s collapse in 2022, said it had started conversations with Loxwood Holdings, of which Mr Holland is the director, who shared their plan for the future.
This plan involves the return of both elite men’s and women’s rugby to Sixways along with other sports and to develop the events and conferencing business.
A Foundation spokesperson said: “The last few years have been difficult which is why the Foundation made the big decision to move away from Sixways and continue our work in a new home within the city.
“We wish the new ownership well and will do all we can to support a bright new future at Sixways.
“We also look forward to returning some of our schemes to Sixways in the coming months but we will maintain our own home on Severn Street which has evolved into a thriving community hub with more exciting news to come in the next few weeks.”
Worcester Warriors Supporters Trust, which has been campaigning for the return of rugby to Sixways since the former Premiership Club first entered administration in 2022, hailed the development as ‘overwhelmingly positive’.
Jim O’Toole and James Sandford’s Atlas consortium were appointed as Worcester Warriors’ new owners by administrators at Begbies Traynor in February 2023.
Loxwood Holdings had stepped in to financially assist Atlas Worcester Warriors in May 2023 in completing its purchase of the former rugby club from its administrators.
This financial assistance included providing funding to meet the operational costs of Sixways.
In September, O’Toole and Sandford were then replaced by Mr Holland’s Loxwood Holdings Limited as the majority shareholder in Atlas.
But it has been revealed Atlas was unable to meet its ongoing financial obligations and entered into an insolvency process.
The new consortium was deemed the best path forward by Mr Holland to protect jobs, ensure Sixways Stadium remained open and keep the hope of returning Worcester Warriors to the top of professional rugby alive.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? – What do you make of the news? Do you feel Worcester Warriors will ever return to the top of rugby? Email [email protected] with your views.
