Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Neils on December 16, 2022, 02:05:29 PM
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Wasps Confirm Return For 2023/24 Season
Date: 16 Dec 2022
Wasps are delighted to announce their return for the 2023/24 season, with confirmation they have now fully satisfied Rugby Football Union (RFU) requirements.
HALO22 Limited, a company owned by Christopher Holland, recently completed the purchase of the intellectual property, history and memorabilia of Wasps RFC, a transaction that saw the Club exit administration.
Andy Scott, a former CEO of 188Bet and Interim CEO of the Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, and will be supported by former players including Kenny Logan and Peter Scrivener, as well as a new main board of senior level executives.
With the formal transfer of assets complete, the new management group submitted a long-term business plan and were approved under the RFU’s fit and proper persons test. Following this, the Wasps Men’s team can now confirm they will start the 2023/24 season in the Championship, English Rugby’s second tier.
As part of proposals accepted by the sport’s governing body, a groundshare agreement has been reached with a Midlands venue – which will be announced in the near future – to host its home games.
Andy Scott commented: “We are proud and delighted to secure the future of this great Club. Wasps is a famous and highly regarded name in the history of English and European rugby and while this is a new venture and a fresh start, it is fundamentally built on the same values that brought the Club success and respect in its heyday.”
Christopher Holland, the Club’s new owner, said: “As the new custodian of Wasps, I am fully aware of the responsibilities I have to its supporters, history and heritage. I do not underestimate that duty.
“Even though it has been an extremely challenging time for everybody connected with the Club, today’s decision is a reward for the hard work undertaken to date, and means we can now start planning for the future.
“There is, however, a long road ahead of us. In addition to fulfilling the obligations to rugby creditors as set out in regulation five by the RFU, we continue our conversations with investors to improve the funding we have acquired to date.
“We are diligently creating a viable long-term business model for the Club, and we have had to meet rightfully stringent and modern business requirements for regulatory control and corporate governance. The RFU and PRL have been a supportive partner during the process.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to all of our fans and partners, the wider rugby community, and all former players and staff. The support we have received has been incredible.”
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Interesting the make up of the "Head" persons.
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Great to see some of the names involved now.
Think they have gone about this the right way, quietly putting everything in place.
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Great to see some of the names involved now.
Think they have gone about this the right way, quietly putting everything in place.
Agree - whilst we might have moaned about the silence they have quietly put together an acceptable package.
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Just had a look at HALO22, only person named as director is Chris Holland.
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Very positive. I always thought that Scrivs would be involved. Delighted to see Kenny there too. Chris Holland is a shrewd guy. As he says, a lot still to do but it's a very good start.
#COYW
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Pleased to see some Wasps people involved. There's people up top who care about Wasps as a club.
I too am pleased with how this has quietly gone on in the background.
Obviously the next question is coaching, playing and backroom staff required to make this work.
I have no doubt this has been going on quietly in the background too.
Still some work to go but I have more faith that this is being looked at in the background and we shouldn't take silence as a bad thing.
Provided this all does work out, I suppose the Wasps legends are owed a fair few beers at the first home game!?
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That is great news from my point of view. I know there are a lot of Wasps fans who do not want to return if it means we stay in Coventry for reasons I can well understand. However I will be pleased to be able to carry on supporting my club in itds new beginning.To add to this I do really hope Worcester will be able to carry on along with us hopefully we can look forward to some good championship battles.
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With Holland at the head that confirms the EPIC is the centre of it all.
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Where ever we will be playing in the Championship, if it is down to me, I would be doing my best to provide an efficient live stream (pay per view) for all 'home' games. Presumably very few, if any, Championship games will be on TV.
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With Holland at the head that confirms the EPIC is the centre of it all.
It was always going to be really as who else would want that facility in the area?
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With Holland at the head that confirms the EPIC is the centre of it all.
It was always going to be really as who else would want that facility in the area?
Yes he was rumoured to be involved so (hopefully) leading it is a step up.
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Brilliant news. A huge relief and the group named so far feels really positive. We have a team! It will be a welcome change to speculate on players, coaches and later in results etc. Huge thanks to those who have made it work are due.
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With Holland at the head that confirms the EPIC is the centre of it all.
Yes, he obviously saw the writing on the wall when he bought it. Shrewd move and as the administrator has been through the books we can be sure that whatever deal was done it was done at fair market price.
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Where ever we will be playing in the Championship, if it is down to me, I would be doing my best to provide an efficient live stream (pay per view) for all 'home' games. Presumably very few, if any, Championship games will be on TV.
https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/live-streams
Seems some are streamed on rugby Championship
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Pleased to see some Wasps people involved. There's people up top who care about Wasps as a club.
I too am pleased with how this has quietly gone on in the background.
Obviously the next question is coaching, playing and backroom staff required to make this work.
I have no doubt this has been going on quietly in the background too.
Still some work to go but I have more faith that this is being looked at in the background and we shouldn't take silence as a bad thing.
Provided this all does work out, I suppose the Wasps legends are owed a fair few beers at the first home game!?
One person I would be keen to set to work is whoever was spotting Championship talent when we were in the Prem and set them to work looking at the 3rd level. Hopefully we’ll get one or 2 of the old stars back and some of the squad players eg Josh, Frosty etc but we’re going to need some relatively cheap depth.
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Lee with his Championship knowledge would have been ideal but I suspect he might stay where he has gone. Neil Fowkes with his Championship pedigree hasn't (as far as I know) popped up anywhere.
Players - I suspect Josh is making himself a nice fixture at Queens but people like Cruse may be returnees. We will have to see.
What a bloody good Christmas Present. Thanks to all involved - make it really happen please!!!
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Lee with his Championship knowledge would have been ideal but I suspect he might stay where he has gone. Neil Fowkes with his Championship pedigree hasn't (as far as I know) popped up anywhere.
Players - I suspect Josh is making himself a nice fixture at Queens but people like Cruse may be returnees. We will have to see.
What a bloody good Christmas Present. Thanks to all involved - make it really happen please!!!
I'll 2nd that.
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BBC -
Wasps: Ex-director Christopher Holland is named owner of Coventry-based club
Last updated on
2 minutes ago2 minutes ago.From the section Rugby Union
Wasps' season came to an early end at the Coventry Building Society Arena in October
Wasps' season came to an early end at the Coventry Building Society Arena in October
Wasps have announced that Christopher Holland - formerly a non-executive director - has become the new owner of the currently Coventry-based club.
The announcement comes on the day that the Rugby Football Union granted the relegated ex-Premiership club permission to resume playing next season in the Championship.
Wasps satisfied RFU requirements, although Worcester were refused.
Holland's purchase of Wasps has been made in the name of HALO22 Limited.
The club said in a statement: "HALO22 Limited, a company owned by Christopher Holland, recently completed the purchase of the intellectual property, history and memorabilia of Wasps RFC, a transaction that saw the club exit administration."
Wasps have appointed Andy Scott, former chief executive of 188Bet and interim chief executive of the Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation, as their new CEO - with support from former players including former Scotland winger Kenny Logan and Peter Scrivener.
Holland, who first joined the old Wasps board as non-executive director in 2017, said: "As the new custodian of Wasps, I am fully aware of the responsibilities I have to its supporters, history and heritage. I do not underestimate that duty."
He has more than 30 years' experience in law enforcement and risk management, and has previously worked with the Ministry of Defence, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and B&Q.
Scott added: "We are proud and delighted to secure the future of this great club.
"Wasps is a famous and highly regarded name in the history of English and European rugby and while this is a new venture and a fresh start, it is fundamentally built on the same values that brought the club success and respect in its heyday."
Wasps had debts totalling £95m when they went into administration in October, but the offer from the consortium including members of the club's Legends Group was accepted at the end of October.
It has since come under the scrutiny of the RFU's financial viability group.
The Wasps bid does not include the women's team. They are a separate club and will continue to play as part of the amateur side Wasps FC.
More to follow.
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What's the EPIC stuff?
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Training ground name.
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Wasps quit Coventry for... Solihull
Damson Park, the home of Solihull Moors Football Club, is close to being announced as Wasps’ new ground
By
Ben Rumsby
16 December 2022 • 3:16pm
Wasps will quit Coventry and plan to move to Solihull after being parachuted into next season’s Championship.
Telegraph Sport can reveal the former European champions’ new owners have chosen to relocate after holding initial talks with Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which bought the Coventry Building Society Arena when the club were plunged into administration.
Damson Park, the home of Solihull Moors Football Club, is close to being announced as Wasps’ new ground as they bid to make an immediate return to the Premiership after being thrown out over their financial collapse.
With a capacity of 5,500, it is almost six times smaller than the CBS Arena but would arguably be better suited to the club’s current circumstances.
Telegraph Sport has been told the Rugby Football Union has agreed to waive a regulation that would have forced Wasps to remain in Coventry for three years given they do not own or control their own ground.
Wasps, founded and based in London for most of their 156-year history, made the controversial move to the Midlands eight years ago, raising £35 million through a bond scheme to buy a 250-year lease on the CBS Arena.
Talks with Frasers Group were said not to have progressed to how much the club would be charged for staying put.
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Sorry also on other thread
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Looking on Google Earth, there ain't much parking. Probably none when you factor in the players, coaches and owners etc.
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Apparently the ground is owned by JLR who want the land to develop but have indicated they will build a new ground potentially near the NEC.
Another whisper is Solihull B C are keen on Wasps ( I find this strange given CCC experience- new owners though).
Rumours on twatter only but if you look at the Google Earth view, it is between two huge JLR buildings.
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In goal area looks a bit on the small side.
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Always had faith that The Legends would deliver the best possible outcome for us all if anyone could given the very trying circumstances.
I know there have been lots of hurdles to overcome and in my opinion, they all deserve our best support going forward.
It would be great to see some "old" faces back and also some new talent, but it will be tough I'm sure to start with.
Great news to start the weekend and Christmas week with. :)
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I'm so pleased we have made the RFU sliderule, at same time really sorry for Wuss. However the ground is a disaster, Midlands did not work before and won't now. Only hope was to get some of the London based fans back, and build momemtum for a tilt back at the Prem. Damson Park is in the middle of total nowhere, and a missed chance to get back to the old roots . Won't work but the guys in charge look impressive compared to Vaughan, Eastwood, LOL etc, so maybe they have a plan and this is very short term
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Chris Holland is definitely a switched on guy. He ran the development of the EPIC, from the planning application through the design and build through to the launch. I suspect he was heavily involved in funding it too, so he's definitely got Wasps blood in his veins.
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However the ground is a disaster, Midlands did not work before and won't now.
You may or may not be correct, but RFU rules would never have allowed a move back to London. If the JLR site is indeed where Wasps end up playing that is bending the RFU rules as it is.
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Chris Holland is definitely a switched on guy. He ran the development of the EPIC, from the planning application through the design and build through to the launch. I suspect he was heavily involved in funding it too, so he's definitely got Wasps blood in his veins.
Good to hear.
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I'm so pleased we have made the RFU sliderule, at same time really sorry for Wuss. However the ground is a disaster, Midlands did not work before and won't now. Only hope was to get some of the London based fans back, and build momemtum for a tilt back at the Prem. Damson Park is in the middle of total nowhere, and a missed chance to get back to the old roots . Won't work but the guys in charge look impressive compared to Vaughan, Eastwood, LOL etc, so maybe they have a plan and this is very short term
The RFU has agreed to waive a regulation that would have forced Wasps to remain in Coventry for three years given they do not own or control their own ground. However, by agreeing to waive this, perhaps they insisted that we stay in the Midlands area, thus ruling London out of our plans.
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I'm so pleased we have made the RFU sliderule, at same time really sorry for Wuss. However the ground is a disaster, Midlands did not work before and won't now. Only hope was to get some of the London based fans back, and build momemtum for a tilt back at the Prem. Damson Park is in the middle of total nowhere, and a missed chance to get back to the old roots . Won't work but the guys in charge look impressive compared to Vaughan, Eastwood, LOL etc, so maybe they have a plan and this is very short term
Moving from the area was never going to happen under RFU rules. You do wonder how many London fans would actually still turn out after such a long time. Probably very few.
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It makes sense to find a ground near the EPIC as the facilities there will not only benefit the team but also be important in attracting players, a move away would waste an asset that could be our jewel in the crown.
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I also think you need to factor in the context of where we’ve been in terms of the ground. A few months ago we were gone. I’d have snapped your hand off to be confirmed at Solihull. The area has great potential for fan growth as well. Those that have worked to secure it deserve congratulations. Of course people will have personal preferences, probably largely based on ease of getting there but I hope there isn’t much “moaning” about the location and we just appreciate having the club back.
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I also think you need to factor in the context of where we’ve been in terms of the ground. A few months ago we were gone. I’d have snapped your hand off to be confirmed at Solihull. The area has great potential for fan growth as well. Those that have worked to secure it deserve congratulations. Of course people will have personal preferences, probably largely based on ease of getting there but I hope there isn’t much “moaning” about the location and we just appreciate having the club back.
Faint hope!
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If JLR do want that land, and are willing to pay the footie club to relocate near the NEC, I am guessing it would be land off the NE corner of the M42 J6 (Bickenhill Interchange), opposite and North of the Motorcycle Museum. There is a large triangle of land there that is not Green Belt and is currently being used by HS2 (the M42, HS2 and the A45 make a triangle of land just there).
Curiously, the 'Interchange' station will be just there. That's supposed to be a 38 minute journey to Euston. Just saying.
Because of the M42, HS2 and the power lines that run over than land, it isn't Green Belt. It has sand pits, a Motorbike trail, all sorts of things.
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If JLR do want that land, and are willing to pay the footie club to relocate near the NEC, I am guessing it would be land off the NE corner of the M42 J6 (Bickenhill Interchange), opposite and North of the Motorcycle Museum. There is a large triangle of land there that is not Green Belt and is currently being used by HS2 (the M42, HS2 and the A45 make a triangle of land just there).
Curiously, the 'Interchange' station will be just there. That's supposed to be a 38 minute journey to Euston. Just saying.
Because of the M42, HS2 and the power lines that run over than land, it isn't Green Belt. It has sand pits, a Motorbike trail, all sorts of things.
Now that is a nice thought HS2 station.
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I don't think Wasps would ever work in London fans wise, and there is not a shred of evidence to suggest it would.
We almost never hit good crowds the attendence stats are a matter of record. That was not marketing, it was the fact that there were very few union fans in London split 4 ways. There are fewer now. Sadly, I suspect we will be midlands based for ever, if we survive long term, and I would rather that. Being Midlands based would make it easier to attract some of the old crew back.
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A huge, enormous and grateful thank you to all the Legends and their associates. They must have worked so hard, and to have succeeded so well is nothing short of miraculous. I admit that I was beginning to lose hope a couple of weeks ago but today I'm on cloud 9. To be able to retain the Epic is marvellous isn't it. Congratulations to Mr Holland for his foresight. This looks like very long ago planning. Great. Thank you all.
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Elated beyond expression even though many miles to travel before we get to where we all want Wasps to be. It is a better step than the alternative. From now on I shall buy only Raging Bull clothing!! Well done Phil and the others.
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Elated beyond expression even though many miles to travel before we get to where we all want Wasps to be. It is a better step than the alternative. From now on I shall buy only Raging Bull clothing!! Well done Phil and the others.
Might be the only supplier who will deal with us 🤫
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Elated beyond expression even though many miles to travel before we get to where we all want Wasps to be. It is a better step than the alternative. From now on I shall buy only Raging Bull clothing!! Well done Phil and the others.
Might be the only supplier who will deal with us 🤫
Could do a lot worse.
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https://bsolihullmoors.runboard.com/
One to watch for infiltration
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That is one hard read. The blue and yellow that is. It’s got quite a vintage mid-90s internet look to it as well.
The chat seems relatively friendly so far. So hopefully a good sign. Perhaps the lower leagues attract a more considered type of fan and far fewer, if any at all, of the self-entitled zealots that support larger clubs.
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If JLR do want that land, and are willing to pay the footie club to relocate near the NEC, I am guessing it would be land off the NE corner of the M42 J6 (Bickenhill Interchange), opposite and North of the Motorcycle Museum. There is a large triangle of land there that is not Green Belt and is currently being used by HS2 (the M42, HS2 and the A45 make a triangle of land just there).
Curiously, the 'Interchange' station will be just there. That's supposed to be a 38 minute journey to Euston. Just saying.
Because of the M42, HS2 and the power lines that run over than land, it isn't Green Belt. It has sand pits, a Motorbike trail, all sorts of things.
Pretty sure that land has been snapped up for the huge ‘Arden Cross’ project. Homes, hospital, station, leisure spaces etc. could they fit a new stadium in there, maybe.
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Looking around on the Google thingy, it seems you are right. Land spoken for.
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There is land next to the Gypsy site towards the left that would be ideal.
No idea who owns it mind.
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Interesting the number of posts on their site has vastly multiplied. All you need is one (or two) stirrers though.
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https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/virtual-tour/
Quite interesting to view this.
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Thanks Neils. That tour was fascinating. They've made a brilliant job of their site; thoroughly impressed - tho' I do feel a trifle dizzy.
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TBF looks a lot nicer than it does on Google earth
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I note Grendel has transferred to Moors Forum on our behalf!!
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I note Grendel has transferred to Moors Forum on our behalf!!
Fickle bitch.
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>:(
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Maybe he’s just been leased there from SBT. They own the head lease but the sub lease etc etc……..you get the point. Good old Grendel. :)
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Maybe he’s just been leased there from SBT. They own the head lease but the sub lease etc etc……..you get the point. Good old Grendel. :)
Must admit I thought he would turn up there sooner!
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He’ll have been reading it - as he does this. My only surprise is that Moors weren’t also quoted as being complicit in the demise of CCFC.
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He's saving that for later.
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If you say Wasps' Bonds three times in front of a mirror Grendel turns up like a dribbling Candyman!
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Who is Grendel? I assume under different names on different forums?
What is his/her history on the SBT/OAW/Moors forums?
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Who is Grendel? I assume under different names on different forums?
What is his/her history on the SBT/OAW/Moors forums?
Dehuman is Grendel. Appears on DW much of the time and is a major player on SBT.
Also appeared on here but VV gave him short shift.
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I my address book he is called Voldermort.
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I my address book he is called Voldermort.
In mine he is Kevin.
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I my address book he is called Voldermort.
In mine he is Kevin.
In mine he is a grawlix: @! !%$&*!@$ *$