Nigel Wray insists he gave his 'heart and soul' to Saracens in controversial 26-year ownership spanning domination over Europe and salary cap breaches... as the club confirms plans for £32m takeover
- Saracens have confirmed an agreement for a £32million takeover deal
- The consortium includes ex-Saracens' Francois Pienaar and Maggie Alphonsi
- Saracens were given a 35-point deduction for breaching the league's salary caps
Nigel Wray insists he gave his ‘heart and soul’ to Saracens as the club confirmed plans for a £32million takeover.
The deal will signal the end of Wray’s controversial 26-year ownership, which saw the club dominate Europe before their dynasty came crashing down after salary cap breaches.
Subject to approval from the RFU and Premiership Rugby, the club will now be bought out by a consortium featuring former Springboks captain Francois Pienaar.
Saracens owner Nigel Wray has agreed to sell a controlling stake to a consortium
Wray said: ‘I have given my heart and soul to the club for more than two decades, having chaired Saracens since the first days of professionalism.
'Sadly, I'm not getting any younger and I have always wanted to make sure that Saracens is in very safe hands for many future generations. To show our continued enthusiasm for the future of Saracens I will be retaining a significant minority shareholding albeit a passive one.
‘I am looking forward to becoming just a fan again and supporting the club I love whilst focusing more of my time on the pioneering work of our amazing Foundation and supporting the build out of the Saracens school programme.’
Former South African World Cup winning captain Francois Pienaar is involved in the takeover
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