EP rugby ‘saviour’ has dodgy background of bankruptcy

A bankrupt businessman with an unregistered UK firm and false business address is the “saviour” Eastern Province rugby is relying on to bail them out.

Christopher Wishlade of Integrated Sport emerged in court papers last month as the mystery equity partner managing a deal to buy a 49% stake in the EP Kings for R100-million. But a three-day investigation has revealed that:

• Integrated Sport is not a registered company in the UK;
• Wishlade was declared bankrupt in June 2010 and again in April last year;
• The Barcelona Football Club, which Wishlade claims was a client, says it has never worked with him;
• A company he formed in 2005 was liquidated two years later, with 11 creditors owed £142864; and
• The address on the Integrated Sport website belongs to Kensington Pavilion, a business club where the receptionist has never heard of Wishlade or his company.

Wishlade failed to respond to detailed questions e-mailed to him, and to five telephone calls and several WhatsApp messages.

Thirty-six professional rugby players wanted the EP rugby union (EPRU) to be wound up so its debts – including their unpaid salaries – could be settled. However, EPRU lawyers countered with a proposal for business rescue.

In a letter which formed part of the court papers, the Wishlade-led company said it was willing to invest £4.5-million (about R100-million) over five years, with the first R20-million paid up front as a token of good faith.

But UK Companies House case manager Janet Hurley said the Integrated Sport registration number listed on its website was not linked to any company registered in the UK.

UK Insolvency Service media manager Ade Daramy said Wishlade had been declared bankrupt twice.

“As an undischarged bankrupt, he is not allowed to be a director of a limited company,” Daramy said.

Daramy was unable to provide more details about Wishlade’s bankruptcy in June 2010.

If EPRU is liquidated, it could spell the end of professional rugby in the province and damage amateur rugby. If liquidated, its assets are expected to realise just R69000, which would be shared among creditors, including players, who claim they are owed close to R18-million.

EP Rugby president Cheeky Watson referred all questions to Saru yesterday, saying they were “above his pay grade”. — kimberleym@timesmedia.co.za