THE family of Cecil Duckworth CBE have released a statement after new owners Atlas revealed their plans for a rebrand at Sixways.
Atlas Worcester Warriors RFC Ltd bought Sixways and the assets last week but announced drastic changes to the club on Thursday, February 10.
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They plan to ditch the Worcester Warriors brand and bring semi-professional club Stoubridge RFC to Sixways, where they will be renamed 'Sixways Rugby' from next season.
Breaking: the family of Cecil Duckworth have been in touch with us at the @worcesternews
— Marcello Cossali-Francis (@Mcossalifrancis) February 10, 2023
🗣️ “We are devastated to learn of the rebranding. We feel Atlas are trying to destroy Cecil’s legacy” #COYW ⬇️ https://t.co/AKDtzqlNla
But the family of the former Worcester Warriors executive chairman and beloved local philanthropist Cecil Duckworth, who is known for helping Warriors get their professional status, have condemned what Atlas are planning.
"The Duckworth family are devastated to learn of the rebranding of the Worcester Warriors," a statement from widow Beatrice Duckworth
"We feel that Atlas (new owners) is trying to destroy the legacy that Cecil and many others had succeeded in bringing Premier Rugby to Worcester and Sixways and we would urge them to renegotiate with the RFU."
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Duckworth, who was also the founder of local company Worcester Bosch, died in 2020 after many years with the rugby club.
His time with Warriors began in 1997 and it was from his direct suport that he turned the club from an amateur one into a professional, top-flight outfit.
Duckworth was involved with several charitable organisations, setting up the Worcestershire Duckworth Trust in 1998.
The Trust aims to help relieve poverty in Worcestershire as well as aid conservation projects that enhance the environment around Worcestershire.
He was also one of the original benefactors of Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester and a trustee of the Wooden Spoon Society
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