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Dragons statement: David Buttress steps down as chairman
United Rugby Championship strugglers Dragons have announced some administrative changes, including the end of David Buttress’ seven-year stint as chairman at the Welsh franchise. This vacancy will be filled by co-owner David Wright, but no replacement was named for the position of CEO with interim boss Graeme Bradbury set to step down at the end of the season.
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Dragons are currently 15th in the 16-team URC with three rounds of matches remaining. They are one point ahead of bottom club Zebre Parma, and just one point behind Welsh rivals Scarlets after three wins in 15 matches.
A statement read: “Dragons RFC have announced that David Buttress, who has served as chairman since 2017, will be stepping down from his role later this year. David has led the club over the last seven seasons, taking on a pivotal role in Welsh rugby and being a key figure as the club was successfully taken into private ownership in August 2023.
“The former Just Eat chief executive and co-founder, who is from Cwmbran, will remain on the board as a non-executive director and a major part of the ownership team. Following David’s appointment as chief executive officer of leading energy business Ovo, David has decided now is the right time for the club to go forward under new chairmanship.
“Dragons RFC are pleased to announce that board member and co-owner David Wright will be the club’s new chairman from July 1. The club have also announced that interim CEO Graeme Bradbury will be stepping down at the of the current season. His successor will be announced in due course.”
Buttress said: “It’s been a great privilege to be chairman over the last seven seasons, but taking into consideration my other new commitments, this is the right time for us to make this decision. I would stress to our supporters, players, and staff that my commitment and passion for rugby in Gwent and Dragons RFC remains as steadfast as ever and I will continue to be a passionate owner.
“It has been an enormously challenging, but also a rewarding role and I have loved nearly every minute of it. I will continue, as owner and board member, to push our club forward, build on what we have achieved in securing the club and Rodney Parade’s future, and map out a bright future alongside our incredible staff, players, coaches, and supporters.
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“My congratulations to David Wright. I can think of no better person, as he leads us as our new chairman and takes the club into the next exciting chapter of Welsh rugby.
“Graeme was integral in bringing the current ownership group together and diligently worked alongside me to ensure that we could achieve the goal of taking Dragons RFC back into private hands from WRU ownership,” Buttress continued.
“Once the takeover was complete, Graeme was asked by the ownership group to steer Dragons RFC through to the end of the season, giving us the time to thoroughly assess the changes needed to make Dragons RFC a successful business. I would like to put on record my thanks to Graeme for his unstinting hard work, leadership, and friendship over the last number of years, and wish him well for the future.”
New chairman David Wright said: “It is a huge personal honour for me to take on the role and my thanks go to David for his unwavering commitment throughout his time as chairman and the huge impact he has made on our club.
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“We are working tirelessly to make sure that the Dragons are successful, on and off the field, and I am confident that we will continue to drive change to set the club up to compete in the long term.”
Bradbury added: “It has been an honour to represent the ownership group, hard-working Rodney Parade staff, the coaches, and the players as CEO during this season.
“I’m proud to have been asked to oversee such an important period of the club’s journey, and look forward to handing over the reins, firmly believing that I leave the business in a stronger position than we found it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to commentsBrumbies will win, crusaders are pretty awful this year
1 Go to commentsThis has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
1 Go to commentsThe Farrells are one of the great father and son combinations. Andy was an RL great, and had he played Union as his first sport, I would be sure he would have been avery significant forcewas in League. And Owen, a Union great, who had he played League, would could have been a great there too i all probability. I feel my attitude to Owen has mellowed as he has aged, and in the post Jones era, evolved and shown his full range of talents. He really is an all round player, and I have wold hope his move to France will be successful. He may even be the piece in the jigsaw that Racing need to rise to challenge Toulouse and LAR. He is ofc now approaching 33 years of age but should still have enough left to make a big contribution in France for at least2/3 years.
45 Go to commentsI reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
1 Go to commentsHaha did he also* say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
45 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
127 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
6 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
127 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
45 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
6 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
127 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
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