Peter Vosper

By Frank Stormont
October 12 2010

Peter Vosper, who took on the president role at Plymouth Albion is looking for the club to consolidate its position in the Championship

67 year old owner and Managing Director Peter Vosper agreed a while ago to be the new president of Plymouth Albion after Paul Woods announced his intension to retire.

I spend nearly an hour with Peter in his office awhile ago now and had a very interesting and open conversation.

Peter's appointment as Club President was announced at the recent summer conference but was only announced in the Herald once it had appeared on this site.

"Yes well the truth about that is the club came to me to ask me to commit to the shirt sponsorship earlier than normal in view of the financial position. I spent some time with Graham Sterling and some of the board members in terms of how the club was going forward and I think I was then told that Paul Woods was going to resign and asked if I would take on the job.
I had a chat with Paul and I then accepted it."

Peter is looking forward to the task and sees it as a challenge as he is not totally sure what he can bring to the task and will spend the early days listening to what is going on. Having said that Peter does not intend to be a quiet president and is looking to help changes for the better in the club and wants to see the gates grow but still keep the atmosphere in the ground that we are famous for.

This role does not include a place on the board but he feels in some ways this will mean he will be able to do more to move the club forward.

He sees this season as one in which we need to consolidate our position in the Championship and that Albion are not yet ready for the Premiership and commends our friends up the A38 for what they have achieved even if the fans their seem to prefer the atmosphere at Brickfields.

Over this season he will also be taking a step back from the control at his family run business that he has been running for 34years seeing it grow from just Plymouth to cover Devon and Cornwall on 25 sites with 5 franchises. He will hand the reins onto one of his sons Nick before the end of the year and take on the role of chairman himself.

It was his two sons Nick and Dan who got him really interested in the game when he was watching them most weekends during the season. Nick played for Kingstaunton and Dan, who now lives in Australia, went to Loughborough University after playing for Plymouth College but was forced to make a decision to play just for fun after surgery.

After the boys were no longer playing regularly he came back to follow Plymouth Albion and around 5 years ago took on the role of main shirt sponsor. This was something that not all at Vospers thought would be a good thing and now sees that the two teams work together well, more than just a straight sponsorship deal.

Peter like to watch his rugby at ground level, with his favourite spot being behind the goal posts, rather than in the comfort of the Eric Johns Stand and is often hears the concerns of individual supporters first hand although has not been able to do much about it.

"What I feel is a success at Albion is the atmosphere at the ground it is something that if you come from schoolboy rugby one of the great things is walking around the pitch, talking to people, getting a bit of an insight into things and people are welcome. Girl friends, wives are welcome and actually they like to watch rugby."

Club President looking to improve things

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 12/10/2010 16:30

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
12/10/2010 16:30

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Cider Drinker
12/10/2010 17:12

Very good Interview well done Frank

Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugby

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noibla
12/10/2010 20:28

Thanks for that Frank, an interesting and enlightning interview. Both Peter and Graham Stirling seem to be from the same mould, rugby men through and through with a strong background of a winning busines career behind them with wich to draw on. Power to their elbow and I'm sure their joint efforts to turn the club back into a rugby club first and foremost and of course with help they will turn around the clubs fortunes and standing.

Semper Sersum.



Semper Sersum.

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Geronimo Jim
13/10/2010 08:41

" Premiership and commends our friends up the A38 for what they have achieved even if the fans their seem to prefer the atmosphere at Brickfields."

Thanks to him for the commendation, it means a lot to us,honest.

I'd be interested to know why he thinks Exeter's fans prefer the Brickfields atmosphere, perhaps he should come up and experience Sandy Park in the Prem before he makes such a sweeping comment (if it has been reported accurately)

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ianbol
13/10/2010 10:37

Excellent interview, Frank. Clearly Peter wears his heart on his sleeve.

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Frank S
13/10/2010 13:26

Quote:

Geronimo Jim

I'd be interested to know why he thinks Exeter's fans prefer the Brickfields atmosphere, perhaps he should come up and experience Sandy Park in the Prem before he makes such a sweeping comment (if it has been reported accurately)

Not reported but Peter often visits Sanday park as he does to Pirates and Bristol

Always forwards never backwards!

Albi Albi Albi

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1spy
13/10/2010 14:25

Great news for our friends at Albion.Looking forward to the visit on New Years Day against the Pirates.Always a good day out even if we do struggle to win games at Brickfields.

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Geronimo Jim
13/10/2010 16:20

Doesn't answer the Why? part of my question though. If it's that good down there where are the floods of Chiefs fans at Albion,disillusioned that we've lost more games than we've won and who crave a good atmosphere.

I'm not here to wind anyone up, I genuinely wish you and your club the best season possible, I just frankly don't believe that Exeter fans prefer the brickyard.

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BALION PREDATOR
13/10/2010 17:32

Quote:

1spy
Great news for our friends at Albion.Looking forward to the visit on New Years Day against the Pirates.Always a good day out even if we do struggle to win games at Brickfields.

We will be at Roth New years day (fixture list ) ,so you can come with us if you like .

I'm sure the rest of the pirates will miss you at the Brickfields on Boxing Day , we will miss you as well unless you change your mind or the date or maybe a moment of DDDreckly

Plymouth Bred,Plymouth Born.

C'mon Albiiioooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

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Albiforever
14/10/2010 14:19

I welcomed Peter's appointment - he is a tough and experienced operator as well as a rugby man. To some extent this represents ' new thinking ' and is good news indeed for PARFC. However, as the interview says, he is not a director and does not have any executive powers, so his impact can only be implemented by those who are prepared to listen.

I personally hope Peter will oversee the old supporters club being regenerated. This is not to denegrade the efforts of Lesley, Frank, Vince and all, but unlike Pirates ( for example ) our supporters club is not an item and does not have the means or conduit for opinions.

I still think we need new directors ( Dave Venables where are you ) to take us forward.

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