Dear All,

You will have seen in the news about Worcester Warriors being suspended from all competitions, and subsequently going into administration. You will also have read that Wasps are facing significant financial challenges, and have given notice of applying for administration.

Firstly, I wanted to say that I’m sure, like me, you have huge sympathy for the staff, players and fans of those clubs going through that uncertainty. We may be rivals on the pitch, but not off it – they’re all people like you and me.

You may also have seen speculation in the press and on social media about the overall financial state of English club rugby.

I wanted to take a moment to give you a few facts, and to reassure you about the position that we are in at Gloucester Rugby.

Through careful planning, the efforts of our fantastic staff across the organisation, and, of course the tremendous support we enjoy from our fans and business partners, our financial position is the best it’s been for many years. As we emerge from the impact of Covid our operating profitability is heading towards positive levels, and last year saw our highest ever turnover. We have developed a five-year plan which shows both those key measurements continuing to improve.

We’re not where we want to be yet, but we are heading firmly in the right direction.

You may have read that both Worcester and Wasps have significant debts with HMRC. We do not owe anything to HMRC.

There was an article in an online newspaper a couple of weeks ago which ended up being widely shared which suggested that Gloucester Rugby’s debt was around £27 million. That figure is completely wrong. Our debts are nowhere near that level. It is reasonable to assume that as that newspaper got our numbers so wrong, that their other numbers are also wrong.

We did take out a loan from DCMS as part of the Sports Survival Package (every Premiership club took out a similar loan, some for more, some for less than ours). We have robust plans in place which will allow us to pay back that loan when the payments become due in a couple of years’ time. The repayment period is over many years, so will not put undue pressure on us.

Unfortunately, Worcester being suspended from competition and then going into administration means that our scheduled game against them on Saturday has been called off. It has not yet been decided whether it is postponed or cancelled. That will depend to some extent on how quickly Worcester are able to come out of administration. If it happens quickly, and only a game or two are missed, then I expect the game will be rescheduled. If not then I expect it will be cancelled.

Having a home game cancelled does, of course, have a significant financial impact on us. It also has an impact on the many local businesses that depend on Gloucester Rugby match days to boost their income. As a fan of the Club, and perhaps as someone who enjoys a pre-match routine at local pubs or restaurants, the one big thing that you could do to help is to come to more games, buy one more pint, buy one more pie.

If everyone came to one more game than they had planned to do this season, that would overcome the impact of the potential cancellation of Worcester game – on both your Club and all those local businesses.

And with the way the squad is playing this year, you’re pretty much guaranteed a really exciting day out. Our next home game is against Bristol on Saturday 15th October, and the one after that is against Exeter on Friday 28th October. You can buy your tickets here.

We have announced an open training session on Saturday instead of the game. If you haven’t been to Kingsholm so far this season do please come and join us. It’s free to get in (although you will need a ticket – click here for yours), so why not bring the whole family? You’ll have a chance not only to watch the senior men’s team train, but also to meet the players afterwards. Full details are here. You can even get your rugby match fix by staying on in the Stowford Clubhouse to watch the Saracens v Leicester game with us on BT Sport.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kingsholm soon.

Best wishes

Lance