The UAFC

Gloucester have revealed that former vice chairman Martin St Quinton is the club’s new owner after he paid a reported £12 million for 60 per cent of the shares.

St Quinton, who founded private office equipment firm The Saint Group in 1980 before selling it to Danka PLC in 1993, founding Azzurri Communications in 2000 and growing that into a company that employs 700 staff and turns over £150 million, has owned the other 40 per cent of the shares since 2008.

The £12 million fee to purchase the remaining 60 per cent of the shares from the Walkinshaw family means the club is valued at £20 million.

Ryan Walkinshaw asked Cavendish Corporate Finance to conduct a strategic review of the Cherry and Whites last year and it was reported that the club had been put up for sale at £25 million.

St Quinton’s takeover may have cost a little less than that asking price but a club statement said that it “brings to an end a period of uncertainty” and the new owner paid tribute to the Walkinshaw family’s ownership before expressing his excitement at the club’s potential.

“I think it's fair to say that the club wouldn't be where it is today were it not for the involvement of the Walkinshaw family, firstly Tom who took over the club back in 1997 and also Ryan who took over from his father in late 2010,” he said.

“Were it not for their commitment, vision, business acumen and, of course, their love of rugby, then the Gloucester Rugby story may have taken a completely different turn. On behalf of everyone connected with the club, I'd like to extend my thanks to the whole Walkinshaw family for their contribution.

“I now believe that we are on the verge of an exciting new era for the club.

“Gloucester Rugby is a club that is moving in the right direction. We are in the privileged position of owning our own ground, have magnificent training facilities, our coaching set up and playing squad are both first class and we have the best supporters in the country.

“The challenge now is for us to realise our undoubted potential and regain our position at the forefront of the club game, and I'll be working very closely with Stephen Vaughan and David Humphreys to ensure that Gloucester Rugby achieves that goal.

“A lot of hard work lies ahead, but I can assure Gloucester Rugby supporters that we will be doing everything in our power to deliver a team and a club that we can all be proud of.”

As well as founding businesses in both office equipment and mobile communications, St Quinton was chairman of the fundraising group that raised £50 million for the recent Cheltenham Racecourse redevelopment that culminated in the opening of the new Grandstand in November 2015.

St Quinton, who is a former captain of the Pocklington School first XV and also played for Durham University, has also served on the board of Hull City FC and Epsom Downs Racecourse and will now become Gloucester chairman.

Rooster wrote:

Gloucester have revealed that former vice chairman Martin St Quinton is the club’s new owner after he paid a reported £12 million for 60 per cent of the shares.

St Quinton, who founded private office equipment firm The Saint Group in 1980 before selling it to Danka PLC in 1993, founding Azzurri Communications in 2000 and growing that into a company that employs 700 staff and turns over £150 million, has owned the other 40 per cent of the shares since 2008.

The £12 million fee to purchase the remaining 60 per cent of the shares from the Walkinshaw family means the club is valued at £20 million.

Ryan Walkinshaw asked Cavendish Corporate Finance to conduct a strategic review of the Cherry and Whites last year and it was reported that the club had been put up for sale at £25 million.

St Quinton’s takeover may have cost a little less than that asking price but a club statement said that it “brings to an end a period of uncertainty” and the new owner paid tribute to the Walkinshaw family’s ownership before expressing his excitement at the club’s potential.

“I think it's fair to say that the club wouldn't be where it is today were it not for the involvement of the Walkinshaw family, firstly Tom who took over the club back in 1997 and also Ryan who took over from his father in late 2010,” he said.

“Were it not for their commitment, vision, business acumen and, of course, their love of rugby, then the Gloucester Rugby story may have taken a completely different turn. On behalf of everyone connected with the club, I'd like to extend my thanks to the whole Walkinshaw family for their contribution.

“I now believe that we are on the verge of an exciting new era for the club.

“Gloucester Rugby is a club that is moving in the right direction. We are in the privileged position of owning our own ground, have magnificent training facilities, our coaching set up and playing squad are both first class and we have the best supporters in the country.

“The challenge now is for us to realise our undoubted potential and regain our position at the forefront of the club game, and I'll be working very closely with Stephen Vaughan and David Humphreys to ensure that Gloucester Rugby achieves that goal.

“A lot of hard work lies ahead, but I can assure Gloucester Rugby supporters that we will be doing everything in our power to deliver a team and a club that we can all be proud of.”

As well as founding businesses in both office equipment and mobile communications, St Quinton was chairman of the fundraising group that raised £50 million for the recent Cheltenham Racecourse redevelopment that culminated in the opening of the new Grandstand in November 2015.

St Quinton, who is a former captain of the Pocklington School first XV and also played for Durham University, has also served on the board of Hull City FC and Epsom Downs Racecourse and will now become Gloucester chairman.

big mervyn wrote:Heh heh!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37221618

GLENN CORNICK wrote:
Suck it up Humps and Afoa!

Snipe Watson wrote:

GLENN CORNICK wrote:
Suck it up Humps and Afoa!

Who? Never heard of them.........

big mervyn wrote:

Snipe Watson wrote:

GLENN CORNICK wrote:
Suck it up Humps and Afoa!

Who? Never heard of them.........

You could try googling that .... or maybe not

Joe Schmo wrote:I've watched Afoa in his last two games for Gloucester and I have to say he really mustn't have liked it at Ulster. Some work rate for a prop.

ruckover wrote:

Joe Schmo wrote:I've watched Afoa in his last two games for Gloucester and I have to say he really mustn't have liked it at Ulster. Some work rate for a prop.

Wasn't him who didn't like it.