How England failed their heroes of 2003
Bankruptcy, head injuries, no interest in their world-beating expertise… Warriors like Vickery deserve better
HOW sad it is to see that another of the mighty has fallen. Phil Vickery has been declared bankrupt, forcing the former England captain and World Cup winner to stand down from several businesses.
The ‘Raging Bull’ is said to owe almost £100,000 to his management consultancy, Vix Ltd, which has gone into liquidation. There were also reports of unpaid tax bills, following the news that the 2011 Celebrity Masterchef winner’s No 3 restaurants had been forced to shut down earlier this year, due to the cost-of-living crisis which has hammered the hospitality industry.
At 48, Vickery appears to be struggling with his health as well as his grim financial predicament. Late last year, it was revealed the great prop idol had joined the group lawsuit against various rugby governing bodies, on behalf of former players who are suffering from the after-effects of repeat head injuries.
A prominent member of that class action is another of the heroes of 2003, Steve Thompson — a colossal force as a hooker for Northampton and England during his decorated career. So, two thirds of that history-making front row have had chronic difficulties since the glory era ended. All those who revelled in their achievement will lament their plight.
It raises a wider issue about how English rugby doesn’t seem to have done enough to find roles for its global champions. Perhaps steps were taken and offers were made and rebuffed. But it is striking how few of Sir Clive Woodward’s world-beaters are now working full-time in the elite game.
A handful are actively involved in front-line coaching: Mike Catt, Dorian West, Joe Worsley and Trevor Woodman. Richard Hill is back in the England set-up as the team manager of the national side — acting as a trusted adviser to head coach Steve Borthwick, especially in his area of expertise, the back row.
But so many others have moved on to disparate careers. Even the talismanic leader, Martin Johnson, is out of the English rugby landscape, having been persuaded to take charge of England in 2008 and left his post hurriedly in the aftermath of the 2011 World Cup debacle. Jonny Wilkinson acts as a kicking guru who comes into camp regularly, but he and several other World Cup winners are more familiar these days for on-screen punditry and sponsorship roles.
It just seems a shame that so much intellectual property and inspirational quality has drifted away. More should have been done to keep these acclaimed men in the system, even if merely in an ambassadorial capacity.
Maybe English rugby just didn’t realise how long it would be until the next momentous triumph, so didn’t do enough for these conquerors.
Individual choices are a factor, but advice from the Rugby Players’ Association and others about post- career planning has no doubt improved markedly since the class of 2003 stood down. Awareness of health risks has improved markedly, too.
In hindsight, the players in those days may be seen as having participated in the period of greatest danger.
Rugby had been powered up by professionalism but had not yet acknowledged and properly learned about the spectre of concussion.
Vickery was a formidable figure. A quick trawl through the memory bank picks out his thunderous contribution to England’s famous win over the All Blacks in Wellington in June 2003.
There are also many vivid snapshots from his time as a cult favourite at Gloucester and from his later successes at Wasps.
He led England’s unlikely surge to the World Cup final in France in 2007 and, two years later, enjoyed Lions redemption after a first-Test ordeal against South Africa’s ‘ Beast’, Tendai Mtawarira.
Vickery was a fine player and he is a fine man. Here’s hoping that he finds a way out of the current, deep hole and that the rugby community rallies around as much as possible.