England Rugby Legend and 2003 World Cup Hero Declared Bankrupt, Teammate Facing Financial Woes

11/09/2024 03:21 AM

Phil Vickery, the legendary England prop and 2003 World Cup-winning captain, has hit rough financial waters. Known for crushing scrums in his heyday, Vickery’s life off the pitch has been less forgiving.

RUCK's Autumn Nations Series coverage is proudly powered by the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, dedicated to creating a world free of MND. Join the the fight against MND here.

His consultancy firm, Vix Limited, went into liquidation earlier this year, dragging him into a spiraling debt crisis, reportedly leaving him with nearly £100,000 in personal debts.

Vix Limited and the Numbers Game

Vickery’s main financial troubles stem from Vix Limited, with almost £98,000 owed and a staggering £71,000 due to HMRC for unpaid VAT, PAYE, and National Insurance. The fallout led Vickery to file for bankruptcy through a debtor's petition. The Office of the Adjudicator approved his request on February 21, 2023, beginning a 12-month bankruptcy period. The situation forced Vickery to step down from at least four of his business roles. Reports suggest his total debts could be in the “hundreds of thousands” range, affecting multiple creditors, including HMRC.

Bankruptcy: A 12-Month Chapter

With the bankruptcy official, Vickery's financial saga isn’t over, but his bankruptcy period will last 12 months. The once-unbreakable force in rugby must now contend with significant financial hurdles, yet his impact on the sport remains untarnished.

Phil Vickery: A Legacy Unshaken

Despite these hardships, Vickery's status as a rugby great stands firm. As a cornerstone of England’s triumphant 2003 squad and a dominant force with Gloucester and London Wasps, his on-field exploits are a beacon in English rugby history. At 48, Vickery's name still resonates with the power and grit he displayed over a storied career and subsequent bodybuilding career.

Lawrence Dallaglio: Debt Drama Continues

Not to be left out of the financial drama is Vickery’s former England teammate, Lawrence Dallaglio. In September 2023, a bankruptcy petition filed by HMRC against the England legend was dismissed by a judge. A voluntary agreement allowed Dallaglio to work out a settlement with HMRC, and in May, he was reportedly trying to sell property to cover his debts.

Meanwhile, HMRC has also taken legal action against Lawrence Dallaglio Limited, issuing a winding-up petition over unresolved liabilities. Dallaglio, like Vickery, continues to navigate financial storms off the field.

What England's 2003 Rugby World Cup Legends Look Like Now – One Is Totally Unrecognisable!

It's been over two decades since that unforgettable moment in Sydney, but last year, England's 2003 World Cup champions gathered for one special night to relive their historic triumph.

Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Matt Dawson

For many younger fans, Matt Dawson—the scrum-half whose perfect pass set up Jonny Wilkinson's legendary drop goal—has become synonymous with the BBC sports quiz show A Question of Sport. Dawson served as a team captain during Sue Barker's tenure as host, from 2004 to 2021.

Beyond the quiz show, he's explored other media roles, finishing as runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing and competing on Celebrity MasterChef in 2006.

Today, Dawson remains a familiar voice for the BBC, providing commentary on England games, contributing to the Rugby Daily podcast, and sharing his insights through regular columns.

Martin Johnson

Any Six Nations fan will know Martin Johnson's journey after he famously led England to their historic 2003 World Cup and Grand Slam triumph.

Appointed as head coach in April 2008, the former powerhouse of the second row took the helm for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Six Nations campaigns. In 2011, on his third attempt, Johnson guided England to their first Championship victory since that unforgettable 2003 season.

Now 53, Johnson has shifted his influence to media, becoming one of the BBC's top rugby analysts since the 2018 Six Nations. A dedicated American football enthusiast, he also previously contributed to ITV and the BBC's coverage of Super Bowls XLI and XLVI

Phil Vickery

A former Gloucester and London Wasps prop, Phil Vickery called time on his career at the end of the 2010 Premiership season. The two-time British & Irish Lion was a revered opponent across the world, and has since started a successful clothing brand ‘Raging Bull’, with his on-field nickname. Vickery was forced into retirement due to a series of neck injuries, and in 2012 he joined Worcester Warriors as their Scrum Coach.

Vickery has also tried his hand at sports broadcasting, as he was apart of the commentary team for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. His on-screen appearances have also been witnessed across a variety of TV shows, including ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, which he won in 2011. An eternal fan favourite at Kingsholm Stadium, Vickery was appointed the title of Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire in 2015.

Jonny Wilkinson

Renowned for his iconic drop-goal that secured victory against Australia in the 2003 final, Wilkinson transitioned into a coaching role with Toulon, focusing on kicking and skills development following his retirement. He also now works as a pundit for ITV Sport during Rugby World Cup’s and the Six Nations.

Will Greenwood

Greenwood continued to shine on the international stage following the 2003 glory, and went on to represent the British & Irish Lions for their 2005 tour to New Zealand. He ended his career at Harlequins in 2006, and soon gave his experienced views through analysis and punditry. Greenwood co-hosted the ‘School of Hard Knocks’ TV series with former Wales international Scott Quinnell, and was an on-screen analyst for ITV as England reached the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Will has also explored opportunities away from rugby, and is the current Chief Customer Officer for data and software company Afiniti’s London office. Greenwood’s family was struck with tragedy, after his son Freddie died just 45 minutes after being born. The former England centre underwent an inspirational walk to the North Pole in memory of his son, and helped to raise over £750,000 for Borne’s research. Greenwood is a patron of Borne, who are a medical research charity that work with cases of premature birth. He is also a patron of Child Bereavement UK, which is a charity that support parents who have lost a child.

Mike Tindall

Tindall, who earned an impressive 75 caps for England, held the distinction of being the final player from the 2003 squad to retire when he bid farewell to his playing career in 2014. Adding a touch of royalty to his life, he tied the knot with Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, in 2011.

Since then, he’s frequently spotted alongside royalty at various sporting events and public engagements, embodying a blend of athletic prowess and regal connections. He also presents The Good, The Bad, And The Rugby podcast.

Ben Kay

Kay amassed 62 caps for England throughout his eight-year international career, retiring in the summer of 2010. Since then, he has contributed as an analyst for various prominent broadcasters and held a role as a non-executive director at Leicester Tigers from 2014 to 2021.

Neil Back

The openside flanker for England in 2003 transitioned to coaching roles post-retirement, notably at Leeds Carnegie and Rugby Lions. His tenure culminated in leading an undefeated 2011/12 season with Rugby Lions in the fifth tier, securing both a league title and cup victory. His last full-time coaching position was at Edinburgh, concluding in 2013.

Lawrence Dallaglio

Dallaglio has followed in the footsteps of Wilkinson and Dawson, becoming a well-known rugby pundit. He provided coverage for the Rugby World Cup on ITV in 2011.

Additionally, he is renowned for his philanthropic efforts, having founded the Lawrence Dallaglio Foundation. This organisation aims to empower young people through sport and supports teenage cancer trusts by raising funds.

Ben Cohen

Cohen ended his rugby career with Sale Sharks, having previously also represented Northampton Saints and French club Brive. An inspirational activist, the former winger founded The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation in 2011, which works on raising awareness regarding the impacts of bullying and implements "real-world work to stop it". Cohen is an leading activist for LGBTQ+ rights, and in 2013 was inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame. 

Due to having a hearing issue called tinnitus, Cohen is clinically deaf. He lacks approxmiatly 30% of his hearing in both ears, and he is a campaigner for increased accessibility within rugby for hard of hearing people. Cohen met his partner Kristina Rihanoff on TV show 'Strictly Come Dancing', and the pair have since had a daughter together. Cohen has appeared on numerous reality TV shows, including The Jump, The Celebrity Chase and has worked with charity Sports Relief. 

Steve Thompson

Since retiring from playing, two of England’s victorious 2003 front-rowers have embarked on distinct paths. Hooker Thompson opted for a lifestyle change, relocating to Dubai. At 45 years old, he assumed ambassadorial roles for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation and was appointed as a sports ambassador for Transguard, a security and facilities management services company.

However, Thompson’s journey took a poignant turn when he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in December 2020. In a significant gesture, on September 23, 2021, he publicly expressed his desire to donate his brain for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Jason Robinson

Regarded as one of England’s finest wingers in history, this dual-code legend left an indelible mark by scoring his team’s sole try against Australia on that historic occasion. Since then, he has reconnected with rugby league in a coaching role, serving as joint operations manager for the Jamaica national team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuBv574IV0E/?hl=en

The post England Rugby Legend and 2003 World Cup Hero Declared Bankrupt, Teammate Facing Financial Woes appeared first on Ruck.