Béziers rugby club relaunch: what are the names circulating ?

Qui sera le repreneur du club ? La question demeure en suspens. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

There is still no news about the ASBH takeover. However, names are circulating, such as those of former Béziers players Andrew Mehrtens and Johnny Howard. They could have at their side the Irish businessman Eddie Jordan, ex-driver and former Formula 1 team owner.

Days, even weeks, pass and still nothing: no one can say who will be the buyer of ASBH. Or even if there will be one… In mid-August, Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers, announced: “We have signed a memorandum of understanding with a foreign group. We have sent the file to the Rugby Regulatory Authority (ex-DNACG), the financial watchdog of the National Rugby League. It is they who will validate, or not, the purchase of the club. We have been talking to the leaders of this group for months."

An investment fund

The group in question is an investment fund. But almost a month after the mayor's announcement, nothing has been finalized yet. However, since then, names have been circulating and are becoming more and more insistent. First and foremost, that of Andrew Mehrtens, the former legendary New Zealand fly-half, who ended his playing career at Béziers at the end of the 2010-2011 championship. He then joined the ASBH staff the following season, before leaving the club a few months later. Johnny Howard is also said to be in the game. The former scrum-half of Béziers and Agde, who worked in the restaurant business after his rugby career, notably having a food truck, rubbed shoulders with Andrew Mehrtens when they both wore the red and blue jersey.

A very rich Irish businessman

In addition to these former players, there is also the very rich Irish businessman Eddie Jordan. He is a former Formula 1 driver who went on to manage an F1 team. Aged 76, owner of a 45 m sailing yacht, resident in Monaco, he has ample means to dig into his pocket and buy himself a club like the one in Béziers.

Is it the experience of the aborted takeover of the club by Emirati investors in 2020 and the media hype that accompanied it ? No one is speaking out, in any case, on the subject. For the time being, therefore, the file is still in the hands of the Rugby Regulatory Authority, which is demanding guarantees from any buyer. Among other things: does he have the financial means ? Where do they come from ? Who will manage the club ? What will his plans and budget be for the years to come ? Questions posed to the potential buyers of Béziers who clearly still have to fight with the financial policeman of French rugby.

Verdict at the end of September, or even at the beginning of October. In the meantime, ASBH wins. That's the most important thing.

Partners and supporters of the club waiting

The club's partners, big and small, are also waiting. While they are on cloud nine after their team's victory over Provence Rugby, they refuse to get carried away until something is definitive about the arrival of a potential buyer: “We are waiting to see who will take over the club and how,” concedes Cyrille Romero, a staunch sponsor of ASBH for years. If there is a buyer, I hope that he will build on everything that has been put in place in recent years and of course, if he has substantial resources, that he will strengthen the club. I also hope that he will not only be interested in the SASP, that he will also look at the association and training. Béziers is a big village. We hear everything. It is clear that we must avoid saying anything. We just have to be patient.”
The supporters are also champing at the bit. They admit to being as curious as they are cautious: “A scalded cat fears cold water,” smiles Thierry Rouanet of the Brennus club, thinking about 2020 and the aborted takeover of the club by Emirati investors. We are waiting to see if these buyers we are talking about will allow us to turn a corner. For now, we are relying on the mayor's announcements. But there is no reason to jump for joy since there is nothing yet… We simply hope that there will be a financial but also sporting mobilization with a project over several years. But it is still true that the wait is starting to be a bit long…"

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