Bill Dempsey resigns as Jersey Reds' Director of Rugby

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Jersey Reds' long-standing and popular stalwart, Bill Dempsey, has resigned his position at St Peter, just days after it was announced the club were in deep financial difficulties.

Mr Dempsey had only taken up a new role as Director of Professional Rugby in May, after eight years at the helm as Club Chairman, but has decided to step down from his new position with immediate effect.

Current Chairman Mark Morgan said: "Bill asked to meet me and told me that he had decided to step down with immediate effect. To lose someone of Bill's experience is a great disappointment for the club, but nevertheless I respect his decision and would like to thank him for the major contribution he has made. I hope he will still be a familiar and regular face at St Peter on match days and at other club events." 

Losing Mr Dempsey will be a body blow to all at the club as he has been an integral figure in the rise and rise of Jersey Reds, instrumental in their elevation into the second tier of English club rugby.

Off the pitch this has been a tumultuous last couple of days for the club as they announced last week that a sell-to-lease back scheme had been agreed in which the clubhouse, car park and pitch at St Peter were sold for £1.5m, with the capital desperately needed. It means the Reds can complete the current season, but a root and branch review of finances has been authorised by Mr Morgan following an extraordinary general meeting last Tuesday.

On the pitch Harvey Biljon's side won their first match - 27-24 over Cornish Pirates - ten days ago, their first league success since September 10th, although the club has been decimated by injuries this season. They currently stand eighth in the Greene King IPA Championship and will travel to Rotherham Titans on Saturday, searching for only a second away victory of the current campaign.