London Irish Rugby Club could we on the way back to the English Premiership.
The club went into administration in July 2023 following a financial squeeze that saw Wasps and Worcester also disappear from the English rugby map.
Today it has emerged that a company called Strangford Ellis Limited, managed by Jordan Associates, the investment vehicle of Eddie Jordan have bought the assets of the club, its name and rights out of administration from Evelyn Partners.
There is no ground, the club were tenants of Brentford FC before the administration, and there are no players but at least there is now a glimmer of hope that the club, first established in 1898 will be resurrected.
“The primary goal of the new ownership is to return London Irish Rugby Club to the pinnacle of international professional club rugby, aiming for a swift return to top-flight competition,” read a statement issued by the new owners earlier today.
“The Jordan Associates team will now turn its attention to negotiating a full and sustainable return for London Irish to competitive rugby, hand-in-hand with London Irish’s supporter base.”
Sport for Business Members Reading: Sifting Through the Wreckage of London Irish
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
English Club Rugby is a very different operating entity to the way in which the Irish provinces exist. They are primarily driven by private investment with an annual payment for the release of players for international duty but few restraints on the way in which player loads are managed. There are financial shadows around the English RFU and a sense of disconnect between the international and the club game that has led to English clubs falling off the pace.
No English club has contested a Champions Cup Final since 2020, having won four out of the previous five finals.
Despite the obvious challenges there is at least more hope of London Irish getting back in the game than there was this time yesterday.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Starting from scratch, albeit with a heft of history will have already begun and we will watch with interest.
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