Eddie Jordan led consortium rescues London Irish

London Irish were forced out of the Premiership in June 2023
©London Irish

London Irish Rugby has been brought out of administration by a consortium led by former Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan, marking a significant turnaround for the historic club.

The west London-based team collapsed in 2023, burdened by debts exceeding £30 million, as it became one of several clubs financially crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now, a company managed by Jordan Associates, Strangford Ellis Ltd, has stepped in to secure the club’s future and take control of its intellectual property and trademarks.

With its storied history dating back to 1898, London Irish was once a staple of English rugby’s top divisions. Jordan’s vision for the club includes rebuilding from the ground up and regaining a competitive place in the United Rugby Championship.

After years of playing as nomads, including a lengthy spell at Reading Football Club’s Madejski Stadium, the club returned to west London in 2020, playing home matches at Gtech Community Stadium, the home of Brentford FC.

However, with its playing squad and management team dismantled, London Irish will now need to reassemble its roster and coaching staff before rejoining competitive rugby.

Kyle Jordan, Senior Partner at Jordan Associates, expressed enthusiasm for the club’s revival, emphasizing the investors' commitment not only to rugby but to strengthening ties with the global Irish diaspora.

"We are incredibly excited about this opportunity to steer London Irish towards new heights," he said.

"Our investors bring not just financial backing but a profound passion for rugby and a commitment to the community."

The road to recovery will be challenging, but with fresh leadership and financial backing, London Irish now has a second chance to re-establish itself as a force in English and international club rugby.