Worcester Warriors fans claim other bidders interested in club
The newly former supporters' trust says there could be at least one other bidder interested
Fans of Worcester Warriors have said there are other bidders interested in taking over the stricken Premiership rugby side.
The newly formed supporters’ trust claims there is at least one other party still interested in buying the club as a whole.
The trust said the bidder’s objectives are to return elite level men's rugby to Sixways, to work closely with the Warriors Foundation and Worcester Warriors' Women's team and to ensure that Worcester Warriors remain central to the community.
“The bidder's business plan always included the involvement of a supporters’ trust in the running of the rugby club; this plan was put forward well before our working group had even considered setting up a trust,” trust chair Marcus Mulcahy said.
“We feel that this is a clear indication of their wish to fully engage with supporters.”
He said the bidder hopes to achieve their aims by injecting fresh funds into the club to ensure the short- and medium-term futures.
“This would be followed by substantial investment in the infrastructure through their equity business, looking towards long term sustainability,” he said.
“We are assured that they can provide, and have provided, full proof of funds.
“They are committed to following RFU stipulations, including that of paying rugby creditors.”
While in February it was reported new owners Atlas, headed by former Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole, had agreed a deal with administrators Begbies Traynor, the sale is not yet complete.
There has been no news from Atlas since May, when it said it would improve communication with supporters.
Now, almost a year on from the club going into administration, the supporters’ trust said it wanted fans to know Atlas is “not the only option”.
When asked by Greatest Hits Radio about the ongoing sale to Atlas, Begbies Traynor said it was unable to comment due to client confidentiality.
Mr Mulcahy said: “We've been trying to engage with the administrators and with Atlas for the last eight weeks, a long time.
“Our offers have been declined on numerous occasions and I suppose we're just getting a bit fed up with the way things were progressing, i.e., incredibly slowly.”