Rowe predicts bright future

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe has predicted a bright future ahead after the ambitious Aviva Premiership club once again posted a profitable year of trading.

Addressing a large number of the club's membership at the Annual General Meeting held at Sandy Park, Rowe remarked on what had been another impressive year for the Devon club, both on and off the field.

With the Chiefs having finished last season with a best-ever placing of fifth in English rugby's top tier, the financial figures for the club were equally impressive as the club's board were again able to disclose that Exeter Rugby Club remained one of only a handful in the Premiership to have posted a profitable return for the past 12 months.

"It's been a great year for the club, but also a very busy one," said Rowe. "As a club we continue to go from strength to strength. On the playing side, we have made big strides forward with our qualification into the Heineken Cup this season, whilst off the field there has been a huge amount of work put in by a great number of people as we look at plans to redevelop Sandy Park further.

"I am often impressed to hear from established clubs not only in this country, but also those we have faced in Europe, about how much they have enjoyed coming to Sandy Park and the way we - and I include all our supporters in this - have conducted ourselves when travelling to opposition grounds.

"We now have a great club here at Exeter, but it's one I genuinely believe will get even greater in the years to come."

As well as announcing the club's figures for the year, the Exeter board of directors were also able to confirm that the purchase of the Premiership Rugby 'P Shares' - which allows the club additional central funding - has now been completed from Championship outfit Leeds Carnegie for an undisclosed sum.

The board also confirmed that planning permission has now been secured for a new, state-of-the-art, three-pitch training facility at Oil Mill Lane, Clyst St Mary - and the planning application for the redevelopment of Sandy Park had now been submitted with city councillors and the club are hopeful of a positive outcome at the end of the month.

Funding for the first phase of the Sandy Park works will be dependant on the club's raising a set amount from the sale of Preference Shares to investors who want to share in the club's financial success. Full details are available from Tony Rowe by either calling 01392 890890 or emailing him direct at [email protected]