Wiltshire’s richest man has bought a 50 per cent stake in Bath Rugby as it looks to reduce its debt and rebuild its stadium.
Billionaire businessman Sir James Dyson took the stake in the group comprised of Bath Rugby, Arena 1865, the club’s stadium development company, and the Farleigh training facilities to form a new partnership with Bruce Craig, who bought the club 17 years ago.
The 78-year-old is to provide capital to reduce Bath’s existing debt and help fund the development of the club’s new stadium.
Sir James said: “This is the club I have supported for most of my life. My children and my grandchildren do so too. I stood on the terraces and have watched the high moments as well as the difficult years.
“Bruce deserves enormous respect for rebuilding the club to be the force that it is today and I am not here to change that. I am here to support, just as I have for the past forty five years but now with greater commitment and responsibility.
"My family and I are proud to stand alongside Bruce as equal partners to further strengthen the foundations of Bath Rugby, realise the new stadium and help ensure its future. Bath Rugby matters deeply to this city and its wonderful supporters who are the most dedicated in the land.”
Bruce Craig described the new partnership as representing continuity and alignment.
He said: “This has never been a short-term project. From the beginning the aim has been to build something resilient, competitive and worthy of the club’s history.
“James understands Bath Rugby first and foremost as a supporter and a friend. His family has stood behind the club for decades and it always felt inevitable that our paths would align in this way.
“I will continue to run Bath Rugby and together we will strengthen its foundations, realise the new stadium and build the club for generations to come.”
Both owners have said they are proud that Bath Rugby’s team is led by Johann van Graan, with one of the most exciting and talented groups of players in the game captained by Ben Spencer, and with Tarquin McDonald as chief executive.
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