WIDELY regarded as one of the driving forces behind the rise of the Exeter Chiefs, Tony Rowe is no stranger when it comes to trying to get ahead of the chasing pack.
From his initial introduction over 25 years ago as a local sponsor to now overseeing the Devon club outfit in the guise of club chairman and chief executive, it’s certainly been quite the journey for the 75-year-old businessman.
Rowe has been front and centre as the Chiefs finally lifted themselves out of the Championship in 2010 to eventually become both English and European champions within a ten year period.
Exeter’s progress over time has been nothing short of impressive, both on and off the field, but there have been the occasional roadblocks along the way, the Covid pandemic of a few years ago being the most notable one.
Whereas others such as London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors sadly fell by the wayside, the Chiefs were able to survive – thanks in the main to the financial input of Rowe – who these days believes there are brighter times ahead.
Indeed, as Rowe acknowledges, it’s not been an easy time for anyone over the past few years, but his own sharp business acumen has got his club seemingly back on the straight and narrow.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Vermeulen excited to visit old friends
EXETER start their Champions Cup campaign away in South Africa on Saturday, but Jacques Vermeulen will feel very much at home.
Scotland deserve fair share of Lions
WE MAY be exaggerating here, but not by much: since the wonderful Tom Smith made the last of his half-dozen consecutive international appearances in the red jersey of his dreams, as opposed to the blue one, it has been easier to spot a Twickenham chief executive in a food bank than clap eyes on a Test Lion from Scotland.
We'll be locked and loaded for Sale trip - Cheika
WITH wins over Exeter, Newcastle and Saracens, playing away from home in the Premiership currently holds no fears for Leicester.
Sanderson: We need to get our bite back
ALEX Sanderson expects Sale to bear their teeth against resurgent Leicester at the AJ Bell Stadium after heavy defeats on the road in the last two rounds.
Newcastle master misfiring Saracens
STEVE Diamond pledged that Newcastle had to focus on home form and turn Kingston Park into a fortress, and those words came to fruition in a season-defining victory against Saracens.
Lam puts Ibitoye in frame for England
PAT Lam believes Steve Borthwick should put Gabriel Ibitoye in his future England plans and give the wing a Six Nations run out.
Carreras class has Saints on the rack
GLOUCESTER'S first-half charge won this classy Premiership contest despite a Northampton fight-back led by fit-again No.9 Alex Mitchell.
Chiefs fight hard but Bath go back to top
THIS was a rare ugly match in the Premiership as Bath returned to the top of the table and Exeter’s losing run stretched to seven league matches.
Pepper praise for Underhill
SAM Underhill was one of Guy Pepper’s idols growing up and he’s now enjoying learning from him in person at Bath.
We can't compete with the big dogs, admits Diamond
STEVE Diamond will be putting young players on long-term contracts to protect Newcastle from the greater spending power of every other club in the Premiership.
