Press Release Followed by Statements and Opinion
NEW YORK, NY – This is big news. Here’s the Club Statement:
“Rugby United New York is bringing in the New Year with changes to its ownership structure.
Bolton Equities has become the majority shareholder by purchasing the 100% shareholding of Farneigh Group, owned by James Kennedy.
James Kennedy has announced his resignation from the Rugby United New York Board as well as the MLR Board effective Jan 1st, 2021.
Guy Bolton will remain Chairman of the Rugby United New York Board and represent Rugby United on the MLR board.”
Guy Bolton Statement:
“2021 is a year of opportunity for Rugby United New York. With our changed governance, a dedicated and talented squad of players, coaches and front office team, Rugby United New York is ready to take the organisation to the next level.
“We all can’t wait to get stuck into the 2021 season, no matter what is thrown our direction.”
Rugby United New York would like to thank James Kennedy for all he has done to get the club to where it is today.”
OPINION
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…” Jack Kerouac
There are mixed emotions. James Kennedy did what nobody else was able to do, start a professional rugby union franchise in New York City. FACT: He’s a self-made, relentless Irish madman – he’ll tell you that last part himself. At one moment he can be cursing your ancestors and the next be naughtily giggling with you over a pint, for which he likely paid. His madness and his willingness to sacrifice all he’d accomplished, to do what had then-to-fore just had been just decades of beer talk and hyperbole, was what got Rugby United NY launched. That is also FACT. And it didn’t fail – not on his watch.
Kennedy’s major flaw – and simultaneous appeal – was that he is like any of us that suddenly own a team. Like us, he tunes in or hits that pub at crazy hours to watch. He scrambles to go to matches in places like Buffalo or, Bayonne, Rochester or Jersey City or Morris. He follows entities like Rugby Wrap Up (here’s hoping). But like us, he’s probably too passionate to let go or trust others to fully run a professional rugby team. Was that likely borne from budgetary necessity in the beginning? Sure. There is a time to command, persuade, demand and cajole, though, and there’s a time to go up to the owner’s box and watch. That watching part may have gotten a bit difficult in recent months for James as his baby grew up over night.
James Kennedy is a character. He’s a wild-man. And he’s a friend. I hope he made a boatload of money for what he gave us… professional rugby in New York City.
Now the the task of bringing #RUNY to the next level is fully in the capable hands of Murray Bolton, Guy Bolton, Ben Young and Pierre Arnald and they have the financial means to give it go. With Kiwi Ric Salizzo and NY’er Steve Lewis navigating the day-to-day operations, fans have reason to be excited.
Here are two interviews.
