... and fans are hoping Borthwick can lead us back to Promised Land

THIS has proved to be yet another year that hasn’t been great for Leicester Tigers.

After decades of unalloyed success, where second place was judged to be not good enough, the Tigers finished last season, again, only one place above the ignominy of relegation.

This time it wasn’t even due to their own efforts, instead being dependent on Saracens breaching the salary cap and their consequent points deduction ensuring their (no doubt for one season only) sojourn away from the top flight.

It is clear that the Tigers owners (for that is what they are, the continued dilution of the fan bases’ ownership is effectively complete, and has managed to be done without the expense of buying out those small shareholders) realise this isn’t good enough.

What isn’t clear is whether they know how to put it right.

The Pat Howard review has come and gone and been largely ignored and the departure of coaching staff continued apace.

At least there seems to be some realisation that the club itself needs to be well-run as an organisation and that the rest of the club’s activities eventually rub off on the team and their performances.

The promotion of Andrea Pinchen to chief executive officer has seen a dramatic increase in sponsorship partners, at least ‘talking the talk’ regarding proper management systems and the club merchandising being brought back in-house has finally resulted in good social media feedback.

What is also clear is that Tigers chairman Peter Tom has decided to take a far more hands-on role in running the organisation.

Whatever else that has to be better than where it was before, although it does leave a very clear line of responsibility.

The second part of the year has been very much about new head coach Steve Borthwick, below, and the way in which he has cemented his position at the Tigers.

More coaching departures as the new season started, including the revered Geordan Murphy, and changes in recruitment have left Borthwick very much in charge.

Clearly the board have decided that Borthwick is the basket in which to put all their eggs.

Early signs are mixed. The end of last season, when nobody believed that Leicester would ever be anything but bottom (bar the aforementioned Saracens) wasn’t encouraging.

There have been some signs of recovery this year, but two steps forward and one (or three!) back has been frustrating.

Tigers’ fans will hope things work out and that Borthwick is the Messiah to lead the Tigers back towards the top.