A PROPERTY tycoon and the former BCP Council leader are among a trio who have acquired a 131-year-old rugby club.

Richard Carr and Drew Mellor have joined forces with fellow businessman Matthew Barker in acquiring the membership interests of Bournemouth Rugby Club.

The trio have outlined an ‘ambitious’ plan for success on and off the field, ensuring that the club can continue to play a vital role in the local community and to grow the next generation of sporting talent.

They have longstanding ties to the club, as previous sponsors, supporters and a former player.

Mr Carr is chief executive of Fortitudo, while Mr Mellor was BCP Council leader until his resignation in February 2023. 

Mr Barker is the managing director of the largest domestic laundry company in the UK, Barker. 

Officials at the historic club, which plays at Chapel Gate, feel the acquisition will bring experience, long-term security and success.

A key part of the plans is strengthening ties with the community, with the consortium believing that the whole town will reap the rewards of the club’s ambitions.

Simon Carkeet, chairman of Bournemouth Rugby Club, said: “We are very grateful to Matthew, Drew and Richard for their incredible generosity and support.

“Their offer to underwrite the costs of Bournemouth Rugby means that we can plan a strong and exciting future, not just for the existing senior players, both men's and women's, but for all sections of the club; wheelchair rugby, Touch as well as for the hundreds of children we currently have in our junior ranks and for generations to come.”

Matthew Barker said: “With the incredible support of Drew Mellor and Richard Carr, we plan to build a bright new future that the whole town can be proud of.

“We want to become intrinsic in the local communities we operate in, through our community programmes in schools, through our youth ranks membership swelling and success for our senior sides within the rugby pyramid.”

More details on the club’s plans following the acquisition will be revealed in the coming months.

The club said ‘many people’ had already expressed an interest in investing in the club.

For more information on getting involved with the club, email operations@bournemouth-rugby.co.uk.