Rugby’s phoenix still on the rise
ANYONE who had even whispered talk of a return to the Premiership when London Scottish were at rock bottom a decade ago would have been wheeled off by men in white coats, suspected of suffering one high tackle too many.
Relegated nine divisions after an ownership disaster dragged them into administration just after the advent of professionalism, the very most that rugby union’s original Exiles could ponder was keeping the club alive and returning to its 133-year-old amateur roots.
What followed has been heart-warming – and nothing short of miraculous. A loyal following of Scottish ex-pats has rebuilt the club, achieving seven promotions in 11 seasons to sweep them into the Championship – just one rung away from the top flight.
They have benefited from sensible management, with a board of big-hitters, including Tesco chairman David Reid, Greg Knight of the Welbeck Group and Tony Copsey, formerly chief executive at Harlequins and Wasps. They have helped attract a roster of blue-chip sponsors who have fuelled the steady growth, including Deutsche Bank, whose name adorns the front of the club’s traditional blue shirts, and Aberdeen Asset Management, who will be on the back for the next two seasons.
Aberdeen’s involvement has already funded one new signing, that of No8 Mark Bright from last season’s National League 1 adversaries Redruth, while a few further additions are planned as Scottish prepare for life in the Championship.
The phoenix-like ascent of one of the game’s oldest names was neatly encapsulated by last season, in which they had a dreadful start only to surge back into a two-way battle for the title with Barking that went down to a winner-takes-all final meeting.
With seconds remaining they trailed and looked destined for second place, until leading try-scorer David Howells intercepted a stray pass and, roared on by some 2,500 travelling Exiles fans, galloped 80 metres for the most dramatic of winning tries.
Captain Gary Trueman lifted the trophy (right) and days later Barking’s head coach Alex Codling defected to Scottish as forwards coach, joining a set-up helmed by player-coach Simon Amor, who toasted the title in his first season in charge. Could he be celebrating again in May? Only the hardest of hearts would hope otherwise.