London Irish and Beziers lead rugby’s tributes following death of Eddie Jordan

London Irish led the tributes from rugby to Eddie Jordan after the death of the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur was announced, at the age of 76, by his family today.

Jordan only recently became co-owner of the former Gallagher Premiership club after leading a consortium to buy the Exiles out of administration.

In a statement posted on their website, the club spoke of its “profound sadness” to learn that one of sport’s most charismatic figures had passed away in Cape Town, surrounded by family.

Jordan had been diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer last year and in December said it had spread to his spine and pelvis.

“He was working until the last,” said a spokesman, “having communicated on St Patrick’s Day about his ambitions for London Irish Rugby Football Club, of which he had recently become patron.”

‘So long, Eddie’

Despite his illness, Jordan spent much of the past year in deal-maker mode in rugby, teaming up with former South Africa captain Bob Skinstad, whom he first met 20 years ago at a Stormers match in Cape Town, and All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens to purchase French Pro D2 club Beziers.

“AS Beziers Herault would like to express its sincere condolences to family and loved ones,” the club posted online. “A tribute will be paid to him at the Raoul-Barriere Stadium during the next home match. So long, Eddie.”

Jordan was unable to attend the Beziers takeover announcement in November due to his condition. The following month he admitted to a “quite aggressive” form of cancer.

Appearing on TalkSPORT to discuss his involvement in the London Irish bid he refused to give an inch to the disease.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way and I urge everybody to be able to stand the fight, because it’s worth it,” he said. “I’m coming out the other side.”

🏎️ Check out Planet F1’s 10 most iconic Eddie Jordan highlights

‘There will never be another like Eddie Jordan’

The news London Irish had been bought by The Jordan Associates was revealed only last month. 

Jordan’s group announced it was targeting a “swift return” to competing professionally as well as promising to “introduce an innovative fan ownership model”, offering supporters the opportunity to invest in the club.

It added that the primary goal of the new ownership was to return London Irish “to the pinnacle of international professional club rugby”, saying they were turning their attention to negotiating a full and sustainable return for London Irish to competitive rugby, hand-in-hand with London Irish’s supporter base.”

Sadly, Jordan himself will not see that come to pass, but his legacy lives on.

“There will never be another like Eddie Jordan,” said Damon Hill, former Jordan driver and F1 world champion. “He was gregarious, he was irreverent, he was crazy.

“He gave a huge amount to charity, he never stopped, he never wasted a single second of his life and he energised everyone he was near.”

Hill’s tribute was echoed by the Jordan family who said: “EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went.

“We all have a huge hole missing without his presence. He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”

READ MORE: 👉 Loose Pass: Overseas All Blacks will ‘dilute’ alignment as new Exiles owners ‘acquire the sins of their forebears’