Leicester Tigers Chief Executive Officer Simon Cohen is confident that a sizeable, strategic investment in the club’s rugby programme is a step in the right direction after what he accepts was a disappointing 2018/19 campaign.
What is most pleasing is that our support has remained so strong and if we can ensure we are better on the pitch the numbers are poised to take a decent upturn
The club released its Annual Report and Accounts earlier this week and, looking back on the season, the Tigers CEO said: “To ensure we are better on the pitch this season, we have invested heavily in the squad, their resources and facilities – including bringing back Pat Howard [as a mentor to the coaching team] to do a review of the club.”
“Pat will return to the club every month to implement that review alongside Geordan Murphy and his coaching team, which we think will set us off on an upward trajectory.
“But we remain conscious that this being a World Cup year, it will be very difficult for us as we will lose a lot of our players – we are the second biggest provider to the England team with six players in the current squad and nine away in total, as well as Jordan Taufua to join us following the tournament.”
On the eve of the first Welford Road fixture of the new season, Cohen paid tribute to the club’s season ticket holders, fans and shareholders for their continued support and faith in the playing squad and management.
“What is most pleasing is that our support has remained so strong and if we can ensure we are better on the pitch the numbers are poised to take a decent upturn,” said Cohen.
“This is why we have taken on the recommendations of Pat and feedback of players, coaches and staff to make the investment in the rugby programme.
“Thanks to the hard work of our staff at Welford Road, we have also had a strong commercial performance on the back of the team struggling on the pitch.
“Above all, we are also very fortunate to have shareholders that are very comfortable in supporting the club at this moment in time.”
A hot-topic in Premiership rugby is the much-publicised investment of CVC in the professional game in England, which Cohen says is a “vote of confidence” in the sport.
“The CVC investment is hugely positive for both the club and game as a whole,” he said.
“Their commitment to professional rugby is a vote of confidence for the sport and investment in the game, of which we receive a share, is good for all of us.
“CVC will drive central revenue alongside the work the clubs do already in this space.”
Attending this week’s Premiership Rugby Cup fixture at Welford Road? Read Simon Cohen’s column in the first edition of the Tigers Match Programme for the new season.
