Phil Vickery, the former captain of the England rugby team and a key member of the triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup squad, has recently been declared bankrupt. This significant sporting event marked England’s historic victory, as they lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first time in history.
Reports indicate that Vickery, who played an integral role as a tighthead-prop during England’s successful campaign in Australia, has encountered financial difficulties and accrued substantial debts. It has been disclosed that Vickery filed for bankruptcy through a debtor’s petition in February, with his management consultancy firm, Vix Limited, also going into liquidation and accumulating debts amounting to £97,806.
Furthermore, Vix Limited reportedly owes a substantial amount of £71,000 in VAT, PAYE, and National Insurance payments to HMRC. Vickery’s bankruptcy request was granted by the Office of the Adjudicator on 21 February, and he subsequently resigned from four businesses prior to that date.
According to Insolvency Service documents, Vickery is expected to remain bankrupt for the following 12 months until February next year. On the day his bankruptcy was confirmed, Vickery also resigned as a director of another management consultancy, Killock Limited. This adds to a string of setbacks for Vickery as he had already stepped down from roles at Raging Bull Group Limited and Creed Food Service Limited. His consultancy firm Spring Star Consulting ceased operations last year, having failed to file any accounts.
In a related matter, Lawrence Dallaglio, Vickery’s former England teammate, had a bankruptcy petition against him dismissed. The petition was filed by HMRC but was ultimately dismissed following a voluntary agreement being reached to settle a £700,000 tax debt.
Shifting focus from the financial concerns, it is noteworthy to observe the current endeavors of the key players from England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad.
Phil Vickery, the former Gloucester and London Wasps prop, retired from the sport in 2010 due to a series of neck injuries. Since retiring, Vickery has successfully transitioned into the business world, establishing the clothing brand ‘Raging Bull’. He has also ventured into sports broadcasting and has made appearances on various TV shows, including ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, which he won in 2011.
Another iconic figure from the 2003 victory, Jonny Wilkinson, who is renowned for his historic drop-goal in the final, took on a coaching role with French club Toulon following his retirement. He also serves as a pundit for ITV Sport during international rugby events such as the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations.
Will Greenwood, who continued to achieve success following the 2003 World Cup, represented the British & Irish Lions and later transitioned into a career in punditry and analysis. Greenwood also pursued roles outside of rugby, working as the Chief Customer Officer for a data and software company and engaging in charitable activities to support medical research and provide support to parents who have lost a child.
Amidst the financial challenges faced by Phil Vickery, the 2003 triumph still stands as a monumental achievement in English rugby history. The resilience and determination displayed by the players on the pitch continue to serve as an inspiration to many.