Phil Vickery, former England rugby captain and 2003 World Cup winner, has declared bankruptcy following financial struggles.
Known for his dominance as a prop, Vickery’s off-the-field ventures haven’t been as successful.
His consultancy firm, Vix Limited, went into liquidation earlier this year, and with it, Vickery faces personal debts of nearly £100,000.
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A £100k Debt Mountain
Vickery’s financial troubles centre on Vix Limited, which he owes nearly £98,000 to. Additionally, the firm has outstanding debts of £71,000 to HMRC for unpaid VAT, PAYE, and National Insurance. The company’s liquidation triggered Vickery’s bankruptcy filing via a debtor’s petition earlier this year.
Bankruptcy Approved: A 12-Month Period
The Office of the Adjudicator approved Vickery’s bankruptcy request on February 21, 2023. As a result, the former rugby star has resigned from at least four businesses. Now facing a 12-month bankruptcy period, Vickery’s financial woes stretch further, with reports suggesting total debts amounting to ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ owed to various creditors, including HMRC.
The Legend’s Legacy Remains Intact
Despite his financial struggles, Vickery’s legacy in rugby remains untarnished. A key figure in England’s victorious 2003 World Cup team, the 48-year-old was revered for his formidable presence on the field during his stints with Gloucester and London Wasps.
Dallaglio’s financial woes
In September 2023, a judge dismissed a bankruptcy petition filed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) against former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio. The court was informed that a “voluntary agreement” had been reached between Dallaglio and HMRC to settle his debts. Earlier, in May, the court had been told that Dallaglio was attempting to raise funds by selling a property to address his financial obligations.
In a separate legal matter, HMRC has also initiated a winding-up petition against Lawrence Dallaglio Limited, a company associated with the ex-rugby player.
What England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup Heroes Look Like Today – Some Have Undergone Major Transformations
Sir Clive Woodward’s England lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first – and so far only – time in 2003, after a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal in extra time.
Woodward’s side are still the only northern hemisphere side to win the World Cup, with the other nine tournaments won by South Africa (four), New Zealand (three) and Australia (two).
In a video posted by England Rugby’s Instagram account, Wilkinson – who scored the all important drop goal 28 seconds from time – said: ‘It’s great being back with all the guys from the squad 20 years on.
‘It’s great to be able to see everyone, and to get a feel of what everyone’s been up to, but also to I guess get a feel for why we were able to do what we did 20 years ago, because it still lives on in everyone.’
Take a look at how some of the key players look now:
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.
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