Dean Richards says 'no' to Leicester Tigers invitation
Leicester Tigers' former boss Dean Richards has revealed that he will not be attending the opening of the Walk of Legends on Saturday.
The news comes as Tigers gear up for one of the biggest weekend's in their history with the Premiership clash against Newcastle, which marks the opening of the £14 million Caterpillar Stand, set to be played in front of a club record sell-out 24,000 crowd.
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Dean Richards
Tigers invited all 15 players who were voted into the Tigers Legends XV by supporters in a Leicester Mercury poll earlier this year.
Richards won 83 per cent of the votes and attracted the biggest response from readers to any of the 15 positions, a sign of his popularity at Welford Road. However, Richards, who was voted as the best No. 8 in the club's history, feels it has come toO soon after the Bloodgate scandal which cost him his job as Harlequins' director of rugby and a three-year ban.
He said: "I have had a letter from the club inviting me but, because of everything that has happened over the last few weeks, I feel I should let the dust settle before being part of something like that. It's a great honour to be have been chosen for the team by the Tigers fans and under different circumstances I would certainly have been there. I hope it goes well for the club."
Two of his fellow legends, Peter Wheeler and Paul Dodge, said they understood his reasons for staying away.
Former captain Wheeler, Tigers' chief executive, who was voted into the team at hooker, said: "In the circumstances it's understandable. I guess he would probably want a period out of the spotlight because he seems to have racked up more column inches in the last few months than anyone else in the world.
"As much as he would like to see some old friends, the time is probably not right."
Dodge, also a former skipper, was voted in at inside centre, He said: "I think he should come but I can understand why he has decided not to. I haven't seen him for a long time and it would have been nice to meet up.''
David Clayton, Tigers' managing director, said: "I can understand what he is saying, but Dean will always be welcome at the Tigers."
Richards, who made 314 appearances for Tigers over 15 years, is also the most successful director of rugby ever, leading Tigers to four successive Premiership titles and back-to- back Heineken Cup wins.
He is one of four Legends who are unable to attend due to other commitments.
Former captain Martin Johnson, now the England manager, Austin Healey and Steve Redfern, will all miss the celebration, but are expected to attend the Walk of Legends dinner next month. Flanker Graham Willars, who died in 1997, will be represented by his wife Hilary.
All 15 players are commemorated in the Walk of Legends which is on the approach to the new stand.
The full team is: Dusty Hare; John Duggan, Sir Clive Woodward, Paul Dodge, Rory Underwood; Bleddyn Jones, Austin Healey; Graham Rowntree, Peter Wheeler, Steve Redfern, Martin Johnson, Matt Poole Graham Willars, David Matthews and Dean Richards.
9 Comments
by Sulis, Leicester
Friday, September 18 2009, 10:36AM
“JPS Europe - anyone can buy blood capsules in small quantities on the internet, I've bought 3 at a time or 5 at a time for various drama productions. Some of the costume hire shops sell them in packs of 5 as well.
I think the Club were right to invite Dean but equally he was right to realise the wrong sort of press attention would result if he did attend. And in any event he didn't exactly leave Tigers in a friendly state of mind or so they say, maybe he appreciates the gesture but just didn't want to come!”
by David Hankey, Great Easton, Leics.
Thursday, September 17 2009, 2:08PM
“What Richards did and was a party to was an absolute disgrace. All sports, including rugby football, need cleaning.
This is not a question of how "great" he was or what he achieved he and his cohorts decided to cheat and thought they could get away with.
Utter disgraceful!!”
by JPS, Europe
Thursday, September 17 2009, 12:49PM
“This case is the tip of the iceberg.
If only one club is involved whoever would be prepared to manufacture the capsules in tiny quantities (unless they are for film and theatrical use. )The RU should grant a general amnesty and let all clubs and players who come forward be given a caution and end the affair. With draconian punishments tthen threatening future offenders. Deano was punished for being caught.”
by Rob, Leics
Thursday, September 17 2009, 12:40PM
“K - I cannot disagree more.
He should be remembered for being the Leicester hero he was. He remains a man of great honour.
The ERC, Tom Williams and Damian Hopley have all come out of thi svery poorly.”
by LA, Leics
Thursday, September 17 2009, 11:49AM
“Regardless of his recent conduct he was right to be invited. But think he was right to turn it down, the media/press would've had a field day with him and taken the focus away from the actual event itself!”
by Andy, Bruntingthorpe
Thursday, September 17 2009, 9:52AM
“Legend. Oh, and a scapegoat for all of rugby's problems. Anyone mentioned 'cheating' and Wasps going uncontested goodness knows how many times in the last few years in the same sentence yet.....”
by Keeley, Oadby
Thursday, September 17 2009, 9:25AM
“I agree with Alan, Deano is still by far one of the best Leicester Tiger Players, as well as Directors of Rugby and he deserves to be recognised for his acheivements, regardless of what has gone on in the past few months.
Or is 15 years worth of tigers career to be forgotten over one mistake at a different club.”
by Alan, Leeds
Thursday, September 17 2009, 8:56AM
“Disagree with K
It was entirely appropriate for Leicester to invite Deano BUT it was also entirely appropriate that he should decline in the present circumstances.
Honour satisfied all round.”
by K, Leicester
Thursday, September 17 2009, 8:52AM
“Whilst I appreciate Richards was a player and director of Rugby at the Tigers for a number of years, inviting him to this event after what he has been punished for is hardly appropriate.”