Coming to grief on the road to Morocco

Mark Stevens talks to Exeter chairman Tony Rowe about his love of classic rallying across all corners of the world

- Mark Stevens

WIDELY regarded as one of the driving forces behind the rise of the Exeter Chiefs, Tony Rowe is no stranger when it comes to trying to get ahead of the chasing pack.

From his initial introduction over 25 years ago as a local sponsor to now overseeing the Devon club outfit in the guise of club chairman and chief executive, it’s certainly been quite the journey for the 75-year-old businessman.

Rowe has been front and centre as the Chiefs finally lifted themselves out of the Championship in 2010 to eventually become both English and European champions within a ten year period.

Exeter’s progress over time has been nothing short of impressive, both on and off the field, but there have been the occasional roadblocks along the way, the Covid pandemic of a few years ago being the most notable one.

Whereas others such as London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors sadly fell by the wayside, the Chiefs were able to survive – thanks in the main to the financial input of Rowe – who these days believes there are brighter times ahead.

Indeed, as Rowe acknowledges, it’s not been an easy time for anyone over the past few years, but his own sharp business acumen has got his club seemingly back on the straight and narrow.