Club Statement

Message to the London Irish Family from CEO Brian Facer

Over the last few weeks, the country has experienced extraordinary circumstances as we stand in the midst of a global health crisis.

We would like to thank London Irish supporters and our partners for their support during this difficult time. We hope you appreciate the necessity for fixtures to be postponed in line with government measures, but this is new territory for all of us, so your patience and backing is invaluable. 

I would like to recognise the exceptional work of our staff and players to help and support the most vulnerable in our community. This has been led by our fantastic Community and Foundation teams who have been working with partners, businesses and charities to get hampers and supplies to NHS staff, schools and those most at risk in our society across Middlesex, Hampshire and Berkshire. 

It is in times of adversity that we need to look out for each other, and this is something this club has always valued. Now, however, there is a need to look after the club that has been in existence for 122 years. 

Covid-19 is having an impact on all businesses across multiple industries, including rugby, as we have heard over the last few days from our counterparts in the Gallagher Premiership. 

No-one knows for certain when we will return to normality and having taken all factors into account, the club has taken the difficult decision to reduce salaries of staff, players and coaches by 25%. These salary reductions will come into effect from 1 April 2020, although a threshold has been placed to ensure employees earning below a certain amount are unaffected. We have deliberated long and hard about this and our first thoughts was always on the well-being and mental and physical health of all our staff. I would like to commend them for their understanding in putting the club before themselves, they are all a credit to our organisation.

We are implementing a buddy system throughout the club so that nobody faces a day alone. I would urge our supporters to do the same and make sure that they look after all members of the community.

I would like to thank our board of directors for their support during this time, especially our President and Owner Mick Crossan.

London Irish continues to follow government guidelines with staff working away from Hazelwood. If you have any questions please email [email protected] and we will come back to you within 48 hours. 

Preparations for our move to the Brentford Community Stadium for the 2020/21 season continue as we move towards this exciting milestone in our great history. 

Information will be distributed across our channels and if you have any questions, please contact [email protected] 

In these unprecedented times please continue to look after yourselves and keep in contact with your family and loved ones. 

Brian

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