Wasps Rugby Club
WouterFounded in 1867 as Wasps Rugby Football Club, Wasps FC is now a professional club. In 1999, Wasps reached the Tetley’s Bitter Cup final. The club has won six English Championships and three Anglo-Welsh Cups. It has also won the European Rugby Challenge Cup in 2003.
Wasps FC was formed as a professional club, and is now owned by Loftus Road Holdings PLC, who also own Queens Park Rangers F.C. As part of the deal, Wasps sold its name and logo to the company.
Wasps’ first team features players from France, England and Pakistan. The club has two full-time staff and employs a groundsman. The club’s stadium has a capacity of 32,609 and is one of the largest in the division.
Wasps FC is in financial good shape, but will struggle to attract regular supporters. Wasps has not played a match in the Premiership for two years. Wasps will be looking to find a cash stream to keep the club going.
Wasps’ administrators have had to grapple with the challenges of the new professional era. Their players’ contracts had to be settled and their assets and liabilities balanced. They were faced with retention issues as well as a shortage of new players to sign.
During the 1930s, Wasps experienced a renaissance. They played fast, open rugby and their players understood the game. They regularly finished in the top three in the Courage league. The club’s first professional champion was Neville Compton. He captained Wasps from 1939 until 1947.
