Leicester Tigers - 2013/14 Thread

[LondonTiger]

First topic message reminder :

Senior Squad

Props - Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Cole, Mulipola, Schuster, Stankovich
Hookers - Briggs, Chuter, Hawkins, Youngs
Locks - Cain, Deacon. De Chaves, Kitchener, Parling, Price, Slater
Back Row - Crane, Croft, Gibson, Mafi, Salvi, Waldrom

Scrum Halves - Harrison, Mele, Steele, Youngs
Outside Half - Flood, Lamb, Williams
Centres - Allen, Bowden, Smith, Tuilagi
Wings - Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Morris, Thompstone
Full Back - Hamilton, Tait

Coaches - Cockerill (DoR & Forwards), Blaze (Asst Forwards), Burke (Backs), Murphy (Asst Backs)


Aviva Premiership Fixtures

Sun 8 Sep 14:00 Leicester Tigers   32         Worcester Warriors 15
Sat 14 Sep 15:15 Bath Rugby  27   Leicester Tigers 20
Sat 21 Sep 15:00 Leicester Tigers  33   Newcastle Falcons 6
Sun 29 Sep 14:00 Exeter Chiefs   9   Leicester Tigers  22
Sat 5 Oct 15:15 Leicester Tigers 19   Northampton Saints  19
Sun 27 Oct 14:00 London Wasps 22   Leicester Tigers 12
Sat 2 Nov 17:30 Leicester Tigers  16   Harlequins 23
Sat 23 Nov 15:00 Leicester Tigers 20   London Irish 11
Sat 30 Nov 15:00 Gloucester Rugby 17   Leicester Tigers 22
Sat 21 Dec 15:00 Saracens  49 v   Leicester Tigers 10
Sat 28 Dec 15:00 Leicester Tigers   v   Sale Sharks
Sat 4 Jan 15:00 Leicester Tigers 27  v   Bath Rugby 27
Fri 7 Feb 19:45 Worcester Warriors  22 v   Leicester Tigers 23
Sat 15 Feb 15:00 Leicester Tigers 11  v   Gloucester Rugby  8
Sun 23 Feb 15:00 London Irish  15 v   Leicester Tigers 20
Sun 2 Mar 15:00 Newcastle Falcons  18 v   Leicester Tigers 41
Sat 22 Mar 15:00 Leicester Tigers   45 v   Exeter Chiefs 15
Sat 29 Mar 15:00 Northampton Saints 16  v   Leicester Tigers 22
Sat 12 Apr 15:00 Leicester Tigers   v   London Wasps Welford Road
Sat 19 Apr 15:00 Harlequins   v   Leicester Tigers Twickenham Stoop
Fri 2 May 20:00 Sale Sharks   v   Leicester Tigers Salford City Stadium
Sat 10 May 15:00 Leicester Tigers   v   Saracens Welford Road



Heineken Cup Fixtures

Friday, October 11 8pm Ulster Rugby 22  Leicester Tigers 16
Friday, October 18 8pm Leicester Tigers 34  Benetton Treviso 3
Sunday, December 8 3pm Leicester Tigers 41 Montpellier Herault Rugby 32
Sunday, December 15 4pm (local time) Montpellier Herault Rugby 14  Leicester Tigers 15
10/11/12 January 2014 Benetton Treviso 19 v Leicester Tigers 34
17/18/19 January 2014 Leicester Tigers 19 v Ulster Rugby 22
Saturday, 5th April ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

[formerly known as Sam]

Harrison has had a back spasm I think. He has missed a lot of preseason so I assume this is to ease him back in. Steele has played in preseason and seems to be rated by the coaches.

[LondonTiger]

While Steele and Dunn may be rated, it was obvious there was no intention of them comin g on, unless a player had lost a leg. Even then thew would probably jsut have given Mele crutches.

[formerly known as Sam]

Steele was actually about to step on the field until Mele waved away the substitution. The official and Murphy were alongside Steele who had donned his kit and warmed up but the Frenchman refused to leave the field. Clearly he's made of tough stuff.

Given we were chasing a bonus try until the last play of the game I didn't expect to see all the subs. Didn't see the point in Cole playing 80 mins though. If we'd ended the contest earlier and got the TBP we might have seen Steele and Dunn.

[broadlandboy]

Croft out for the season
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24050298

[LondonTiger]

Really bad news for the young man. Feel so sorry for him.

[formerly known as Sam]

Gutting news. He's a quality player and did a good job on Saturday. Looks like Big Steve is going to have to step into the breach.

[lostinwales]

At least it gives the rest of his body more chance to recover from the last few years. Just have to hope he comes back stronger and doesnt become more injury prone. It would be so sad if he spent the rest of his career on the treatment bench with just the odd run out in between.

[LondonTiger]

At least it gives the rest of his body more chance to recover from the last few years. Just have to hope he comes back stronger and doesnt become more injury prone. It would be so sad if he spent the rest of his career on the treatment bench with just the odd run out in between.

that pretty much describes the last 3 seasons.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Terrible news for Tigers and England. I'm devastated.

[beshocked]

Poor Croft. He's been unfortunate with injuries.

Gives Gibson a chance though to make the Tigers 6 shirt his own though.

[formerly known as Sam]

Gibson won't make the bench if Mafi is fit Beshocked. Expect to see Mafi, Salvi, Crane for the big games this season. Gibson will get a chance during the AIs and some rotation. He's been signed as Salvi's understudy so he'll get more time at 7. Maybe young Wells will get some more games in the first team as well.

[LondonTiger]

Poor Croft. He's been unfortunate with injuries.

LSince the 2009 Lions tour he has missed the 2010 and most of the 2011 and 2013 6Ns due to injuries. Such major surgery as this will have a massive impact, you never come back the same player (whatever the sport) after ACL surgery.

[HongKongCherry]

Such a bad injury and you do have to fear for his future as it causes the end of far too many players. Olly Morgan is 18 months and counting from his ACL injury. I know Croft polarises peoples' opinion, but I feel he is truly one of England's only world class players. If he is used correctly the guy is just such an outstanding talent. I do hope his rehab goes well and we see him back in action soon.

[yappysnap]

Real shame for him! Hopefully he'll come back stronger thouvh

[Hood83]

Gutted for him and you guys. I'm actually someone who is sceptical about him as an international 6, and the balance he brings with England BUT he's great to watch in all games, is absolute class and is such a different flanker to the others we have.

[Hood83]

As a thought, do you reckon it's harder for slightly willowy players like him to keep crunching away? I always thought McCaw would get more injuries (i know he's a bit bulkier) but he seems to have done OK all in all. Is it just bad luck with Croft?

[Hood83]

Poor Croft. He's been unfortunate with injuries.

LSince the 2009 Lions tour he has missed the 2010 and most of the 2011 and 2013 6Ns due to injuries. Such major surgery as this will have a massive impact, you never come back the same player (whatever the sport) after ACL surgery.

Do you reckon that's it for internationals then? Or way too early?

[formerly known as Sam]

To early to say that Hood. England don't have another flanker that skillful or that brilliant in the lineout (Wood comes close in the lineout). Croft is so unique if he's fit and in form then he almost has to be selected. Croft is still a few years under 30 so there's time on his side.

[Hood83]

To early to say that Hood. England don't have another flanker that skillful or that brilliant in the lineout (Wood comes close in the lineout). Croft is so unique if he's fit and in form then he almost has to be selected. Croft is still a few years under 30 so there's time on his side.

Yeah fingers crossed he comes back. If we can pick a MASSIVE pack around him, I think he's invaluable. But I'm not convinced we have in the past. I like Croft against most teams, against a team like SA, I don't think he's right.

[formerly known as Sam]

As you say it depends. Having Croft available up scythe down outside breaks is handy vs SA. You just need a tough front row, nasty enforcer and a big ball carrying number 8 so SA don't demolish you in the tight exchanges. The Boks are probably the one team I'd drop Croft to the bench for. Start a Fearns or Haskell then bring on Croft for impact.

[Hood83]

As you say it depends. Having Croft available up scythe down outside breaks is handy vs SA. You just need a tough front row, nasty enforcer and a big ball carrying number 8 so SA don't demolish you in the tight exchanges. The Boks are probably the one team I'd drop Croft to the bench for. Start a Fearns or Haskell then bring on Croft for impact.

Think we probably agree then, would possibly be tempted to drop him v Wales but maybe not. Top player.

Unrelated, but do you guys think Balmain will get much time this year. Would like to see more of him, would be great to get an understudy to Cole in place already!

[LondonTiger]

I really like Balmain. Not 100% sure why they decided to change him from LH to TH, but he shoudl get a lot more gametime this season.

[formerly known as Sam]

He was a tighthead originally in the academy and covered loosehead rather well before changing back. I(d have liked to see him off the bench on Sunday.

[yappysnap]

Croft playing for England when we put out our lighter pack reminds me of the situation Wilko had at Falcons. A body too fragile to keep being out in the firing line.

I hope he comes back fit and can play in a team that has plenty of forwards who can take some pressure off him.

[Geordie]

Isn't Gibson more of the Croft stature than a typical 7 though at 6'5

[formerly known as Sam]

Gibson plays more like Wood than Croft and is understudy to Salvi. Mafi is like for like for Croft and young Wells offers a more traditional tackling option 6 whilst still being lock size.

We've got options at 6. Mafi, Salvi, Crane will hopefully be the combo vs Bath. If Mafi isn't fit then it will probably be Gibson in at 6 unless we go heavy in the backrow and bring in Waldrom.

[Geordie]

It will be interesting to see how that Bath team go against an established strong side in the league. We didn't give them huge opposition but they looked very impressive at the same time and huge.
It'll certainly be one hell of a physical game...

[formerly known as Sam]

Certainly will be a physical encounter. Ford will offer considerably more tactical guidance to his pack than Lamb. We need Mele to have another stormer and hope our make shift midfield holds together. To be honest I'd change the backline to:

9. Mele
10. Williams
11. Goneva
12. Allen
13. Hempetema (sp?)
14. Thompstone
15. Morris

Subs: Harrison, Lamb, Purdy.

That looks more sound defensively. Bit of a risk with the new centre and Williams but it could offer a great deal more in attack and defence than we had last weekend.

[munkian]

Gavlar is starting for Baarf at 12, boom !

[formerly known as Sam]

I hope Allen cuts him in half.

[LondonTiger]

I see that Tahir el Mahdi was playing for the Newcastle A team against us yesterday.

[Geordie]

He has signed for us LT...

[LondonTiger]

Another academy lad, who showed promise that we have failed to give a chance to

[Geordie]

Well it makes a change players going the other way...Brookes coming back (who looks revitalised after being hammered on his fitness in preseason) and now El Mahdi.

Whats happening with your academy policy? Why arent you keeping your players?

[formerly known as Sam]

I don't think we're not keeping them it's just that we are being targeted because we have good players in the academy but also a strong first team. Other clubs are turning round and offering similar money but more opportunities in or around the first team.

Recently we've lost:

Ford - same money but offerred the 10 shirt
Twelvetrees - 50% increase in the salary and no recognised competition in the 12 shirt
Doyle - a flanker stolen by Sale who offered a quicker route to the first team but he's not really broken through yet.
Tahir el Mahdi - promoted from the academy scene to the Falcons A team. A lack of promotion to the Tigers A team last season probably led to that.

[LondonTiger]

This years A side is definitely younger than previous years (if we exclude Chutes) so signs that those lads are getting slightly more chances.

I just look at people like Lewington and now el Mahdi who excited the club as juniors, but never really got any chance. I can see why someone like Forsyth went to Sale - and we could have done with him recently.

[formerly known as Sam]

Lewington should have played more last season. He was dumped down at Notts when Morris was injured and we went with Hamilton. Now Hamilton has been the signing that keeps on giving but he's sadly passed his best and has had several hamstring problems we should have been succession planning.

Forsyth was unlucky, he looked like he'd broken into the first team squad with Allen and Twelvetrees injured but his leg break against Ulster at WR put him right back and by the time he'd recovered he was down the pecking order and on loan at Notts. Can't blame him for going to Sale where he's straight into the first team (try on his debut as well).

We've previously left it far too late previously, we need to look at the young guys earlier and look at who will succeed who in the back division preferably before that back hits 30 then panic and start looking to buy. As you say LT, thankfully the times look to be changing with Burke and Murphy over seeing things. Now will we are Purdy given a go vs Falcons?

[LondonTiger]

After making a loss in 2011/12 the club is back in the black for the year to June 2013. Profits were just under £400k, with revenues up 15% to almost £20m. Full story on Tigers website (cannot link from phone). With increased sponsorship this season and more TV revenues, things look secure.

[formerly known as Sam]

The loss was mainly due to redevelopment of club shop, website, big change over in kit supplier and producer. Now all that crap is over and done with and this season we will have a bumper season ticket sales revenue and should be able to claw back the rest of that loss.

[LondonTiger]

Yeah, record season ticket sales for this season will help.

The other areas that contributed to a loss for 2011/12 were no AIs (Tigers Events makes a lot from corporate hospitality at Twickenham) and no fixture against an "International" team.

While we can quibble about the advantageous way we gained ownership of WR, way back when, the club is on sound footings.

[formerly known as Sam]

There's just the mess at Oval Park to sort out now. As I understand it that is getting pretty messy and is already quite a dispute.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/17686.php#.UjqmTRCmTAM

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Leicester Tigers return to operating profit in 2012/13
18 September 2013 14:00pm
By Gary Sherrard
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers are delighted to announce that the club returned to an operating profit in the financial year 2012/13 which ended with the team being crowned Aviva Premiership champions.
Success on & off the field

The loyal backing of sponsors and commercial partners, and the continued growth of the biggest fanbase in UK rugby, enabled Leicester Tigers to return to operating profit in the financial year 2012/13.

Leicester Tigers ended the 2012/13 season by earning a ninth successive appearance in the Premiership Final and by being crowned English champions for a third time in five years and a record tenth time in all.

After enjoying this success, six Leicester Tigers players - including five who had come through the club's Academy system - joined the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Strong support at all levels enabled the Club to turn a £1 million loss in 2011/12 into an operating profit just 12 months later and the Board has continued confidence in the ability to maintain growth in the future despite testing times in world markets.

Financial performance highlights

In the twelve months to 30 June 2013, Leicester Tigers' turnover reached £19.0 million (£17.3 million in 2012) and operating profit was £396,000.

This followed a challenging year in 2011/12 during which the Club announced an operating loss of £1 million. This situation was anticipated in the context of a Rugby World Cup year, and the senior management were confident that the financial health of the Club would enable it to absorb a temporary shortfall without damaging its long-term position. The results for 2012/13 support this.

In his report 12 months ago, chairman Peter Tom CBE commented that sponsorship, season ticket sales and match ticket sales, as well as increased numbers of younger supporters on matchdays, provided optimism for the future despite the short-term difficulties of a World Cup year.

In the event, season ticket numbers for 2012/13 exceeded expectations, reaching an all-time high of more than 14,700, while sponsorship revenues increased and matchday hospitality again proved popular.

This is a tribute to the strength of both the Club's support and its business strategy.

Revenue on ticket sales rose by 15 per cent to £5.7 million, including a home game in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals, a European quarter-final in Toulon and the historic fixture against the Maori All Blacks at Welford Road.

Relationships with official sponsors including Caterpillar, Aurum, Holland & Barrett, Mark Group and NEXT remain strong, and several new names joined them in the Club's commercial portfolio.

The work of the conference and events team ensured that revenues from this operation were up 15 per cent in 2012/13 and hospitality company Tigers Events increased revenues by 17 per cent in a very competitive market.

Peter Tom CBE, chairman, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I thank all of the players and staff at Welford Road and Oval Park who work so hard to achieve these great results on and off the field.

"Winning the English league title for a tenth time is a reward for their diligence and commitment, while a strong financial performance reflects the Club's diverse revenue streams as well as its successful relationships with sponsors and commercial partners.

"The loyalty of our supporters is the backbone of the Club's success. Season ticket sales reached record levels in 2012/13, with further notable increases in the number of family groups and young supporters, and match ticket sales were also strong.

"Furthermore, figures for the new season in 2013/14 have been well ahead of last year with more than 12,500 supporters purchasing their season tickets even before the end of 2012/13 and a total of 14,500 committed for the new season by the middle of the summer."

Outlook

A new Premiership Rugby television deal with BT Sport came into operation in 2013/14, providing a new platform for match coverage and a significant increase in broadcasting revenues as well as an opportunity to stimulate further growth of the professional club game.

Also, the build-up to the next Rugby World Cup in 2015, to be hosted in England, provides an opportunity for the growth of interest and participation in rugby at all levels.

Our commercial partnerships reinforce our confidence in the future. Leicester Tigers were delighted to unveil a new three-year agreement with main sponsors Caterpillar before the end of 2012/13 while continuing to bolster the portfolio of sponsors and partners. Holland & Barrett and Goldsmiths have renewed stand sponsorship at Welford Road, and sports nutrition specialists GNC have come on board as training kit sponsors as well as taking naming rights to the North Stand.

Tigers continue to build strong relationships with major brands while increasing the supporter-base over a wide geographic area. Matchdays are family occasions at Welford Road and the Club continues to work hard to attract new supporters of all ages.

The facilities at Welford Road also allow us to operate as a seven-days-a-week venue for conferences, exhibitions, meetings, weddings, parties and many other non-matchday events.

Peter Tom CBE, chairman, commented: "It is extremely encouraging that the Club's financial performance shows our ability to recover strongly in the 12 months following a Rugby World Cup year.

"Everything we do as a Club is with the playing side in mind. We have always been committed to supporting the playing squad fully and the Club has continued to invest in world-class preparation, training and medical facilities for its players as well as supporting the successful Academy which plays an important part in producing players able to establish themselves at the core of the senior squad.

"Whatever revenues we generate are there to enable this support of the playing squad to continue and, as a tenth league title in 2012/13 illustrates, this strategy allows Leicester Tigers to maintain its place among the leaders in the professional game.

"We continue to look to the future with confidence and remain committed to retaining our position as the UK's premier professional rugby club."


But I can't find a copy of the published accounts.

[LondonTiger]

When I get my copy, I can send it to you.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

The usually appear online, LT. But I find that you tend to have to Google them to find them.

[LondonTiger]

It will be published online somewhere - once all tarted up. Not usually available till the time of the AGM is announced though.

[nathan]

my mate who is one of the event managers will be getting a nice bonus it would seem.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Have the Tigers ever paid a dividend? I've never known of one - which would demonstrate a massive degree of commitment from the shareholders.
Also, can you actually buy shares from the club? As its a Private Limited Company (I think), as I recall there will by definition be no open market - only by private sale/transfer. But I may be out of date on that.

HSBC sold their initial 10% 1997 stake in 1999 apparently

443,316 ordinary shares in Leicester Tigers, representing of the 10.1 per cent interest held by HSBC since the public offer of the club's shares in December 1997, have been sold to a selection of existing shareholders at a 125 pence per share.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/3414.php#.Ujqv-hCmTAM

[LondonTiger]

I have never received a dividend. There are two classes of shares however.

also I may not have kept the registrars up to date with my address details. Must get on to that.

[nathan]

from my understanding it needs to be floated on a public stock market for dividends would be payable. I think they toyed with the idea in 2009.

[nathan]

injury update;

Mat Tait should be back in 2 to 4 weeks
Flood, Manu and B. Youngs will get game time this weekend.
Deacon is another week away with sore ribs.
Mafi is "ok" after limping off against Bath

Glad to see we have some backs errrr back

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