Rugby sponsor and kitmaker Canterbury enters administration

Rugby clothing maker and multiple club sponsor Canterbury Europe has entered administration.

David Costley-Wood and Brian Green of KPMG have been appointed joint administrators of the rugby sportswear specialist that boasts sponsorship of London Wasps, Leinster, Cardiff and the Scottish national team.

It also sponsored football, cricket and golf, including deals with Portsmouth Football Club, Lille and Yorkshire and Hampshire Cricket Clubs.

All sponsorship contracts have been terminated as a result of the administration and the affected clubs will rank as unsecured creditors in relation to any amounts they were owed for the remainder of the contract.

The Scottish Rugby Union was 12 months into a £4m, four-year deal with Canterbury to supply its kit, and has cancelled today's launch of its new strip.

Canterbury Europe Limited is the European arm of the Canterbury Group, which is not in administration and is trading as normal. Its UK operation is based in Stockport, Cheshire and employs 86 people. As a result of the administration, 72 members of staff have been made redundant.

Costley-Wood said: 'This administration has been the culmination of difficult trading, following a period in which Canterbury Europe Limited had unsuccessfully tried to expand into new areas. The company has also been hit by the weakening of the pound, as it imports its goods from the Far East.

'The European business will continue to trade under the administration whilst we try to find a buyer for the business and assets.'

Further reading:

SRU cancels strip launch as £4m deal with Canterbury Europe 'terminated'

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