Former Wesps promoter Phil Vickery is part of a consortium of former players trying to buy the club after it went into administration; he is also part of the RFU ‘Play Together, Stay Together’ campaign aimed at tackling the problem of declining numbers in the community game
By James Cole
Last updated: 09/11/22 6:11am
Wasps have been playing in Coventry since 2014
Phil Vickery, former Wesps supporter, believes the club should leave Coventry and return to London.
The two-time European champion has been suspended and relegated from the Gallagher Premiership after coming into administration.
Vickery is part of a consortium of former Wasps players trying to buy the men’s team and academy. That deal has yet to be ratified by the RFU, but if it gets the green light, Vickery believes wasps should go back to their roots.
“To see Wasps come back to London would be great,” Vickery said Sky Sports News.
“I associate Wasps with London, but it’s easier said than done. They’ve spent years trying to get the chance to do that.
“Yes, it would be great, but let’s focus on keeping the club going.”
Phil Vickery is part of a consortium of former Wasps players trying to buy the club
Vickery is also part of an RFU campaign – “Play Together, Stay Together” – aimed at tackling the problem of declining numbers in the community game.
The RFU has changed its rules to allow grassroots league matches with only 10 players per side and with uncontested scrums.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
2003 Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood describes the Wasps administration as ‘hugely concerning’ and stresses that high pay caps could be a reason for many clubs’ financial difficulties.
2003 Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood describes the Wasps administration as ‘hugely concerning’ and stresses that high pay caps could be a reason for many clubs’ financial difficulties.
“I think the pandemic has accelerated the problems,” Vickery said. “The great thing about this initiative is that you don’t have to have a full team.
“That rugby club or sports club can still benefit from bar takedowns and families coming together.”
Vickery believes that awareness around the long-term risk of head injury has also had an impact.
“I sit on the sidelines watching my son play and there are talks about head injuries,” Vickery said. “But I think the protocols of rugby are fantastic now.
“You can’t legislate for every incident that may happen, but rugby has done a great job of putting the individual first in the decision-making process.”
The post Phil Vickery: London return for former club Wasps ‘would be awesome’ appeared first on WhatsNew2Day.