Worcester Warriors: Former owner Cecil Duckworth ‘would be devastated’ with Premiership club’s financial predicament
The family of former Worcester Warriors owner Cecil Duckworth have revealed he would be “devastated” by the club’s financial problems.
The Warriors, who play at Sixways, are reportedly on the verge of falling into administration after a winding-up petition was ordered over unpaid tax.
Worcester’s owners, Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, have stressed they are “working through a number of options” as discussions with HM Revenue and Customs, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport remain ongoing.
Very saddened
But on Tuesday, club legend Chris Pennell posted a statement from Duckworth’s family on social media which read: “The Duckworth family are very saddened by the recent news at Worcester Warriors.
“Cecil and others spent many years building up the rugby club and we know he would be devastated by the events which are unfolding.
“Our thoughts are with the staff and players.”
Duckworth passed away in 2020 and was key to Worcester’s rise to the Premiership, but centre Ollie Lawrence feels his work was “close to being tarnished”.
Goldring and Whittingham did release a statement on Monday in response to “much speculation and rumour circulating in the media and among our supporters” about the future of the Warriors.
“Over the past week a lot of work has been done away from the media spotlight to try to navigate the club through the challenges that we currently face,” they wrote.
Work is ongoing
“That work continues, discussions are ongoing and we are reviewing the options available to the club.
“We continue to work closely with HMRC, Premiership Rugby, the RFU and DCMS to find the best solution to the situation. We are very grateful for the support these organisations have shown to the club.
“We are now working through a number of options with our advisers. These include solutions for keeping rugby at Sixways and we will communicate further as soon as a decision has been finalised.”
Meanwhile, Worcester MP Robin Walker admits he’s “deeply concerned” about the situation and wants an urgent meeting with local councils to “ensure that any future proposals for the club and its grounds have the interests of community and the sport at its heart.”
Walker added in his statement: “It is important that we do all we can to try to save the club, but even in the unlooked-for event of some form of administration, then local residents need to have confidence that the club’s assets are used for sporting and community value, and not sold off for profit.
“The late Cecil Duckworth worked tirelessly to ensure this once humble club became a competitive outfit at the top of English rugby and I agree with his family that it is vital we all work to protect his legacy.”