Eddie Jordan has lifted the lid on his decision to help save London Irish.
The rugby union side have been suspended from the Gallagher Premiership since June 2023.
GettyJordan has lifted the lid on his London Irish move[/caption]
London Irish did not feature at all last season after missing a deadline to pay their players and staff.
However, they have now been bought out of administration by a consortium spearheaded by Jordan.
The former Formula One team boss’ revival has now given the club hopes of a return to the pitch in 2026.
Jordan has now opened up on the move, telling talkSPORT: “A bigger mission for me was obviously the thing I’ve been working on for a while. Which is London Irish. It’s a passion. Passion with the team, with the family.
“It’s something that I wanted to do for a very long time. You know when the years start mounting up and you just think about little dreams and little things that you should have done, that you would like to have done. You say why didn’t I do that when I had a chance? Why didn’t I do this when I had the chance?
“And quite honestly, Alan, you know yourself. There was opportunities there and I took them.
“Whether it works out or doesn’t work out I don’t know. But yeah we took it out of administration.
“Look there’s a lot going on in rugby at the moment. And I just have this feeling that the way rugby in Ireland is going in England.”
The size of the project is not lost on the 76-year-old, with the Exiles not playing a match since May 2023.
He continued: “Look, we have a go at most things. Alan, it’s a big project. It’s something I enjoy. The kids love it.
“Listen, you put your money down, you take your chances and you take a part. And I learned that from Bernie Ecclestone.
“You take the chance. Some work out and some don’t work out. And so that’s the way it goes.”
Jordan is remaining positive, though, adding: “Let’s talk positively here. London Irish, they were fantastic.
“You know, I think London Irish needs another major top. I think the Premiership in terms of rugby is having a slight renaissance. And we need to find a way. Let’s see how it works out.
“Alan, it’s a tough old world out there in the world of sport. And charity. So we have to stick our neck out and see how it goes. Alan, we have a goal. But there we go.”
There remains several issues which must be resolved before the Drummers can return to action.
Prior to their suspension, the club had played at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium after moving from the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
Asked if he knew where London Irish will play on their return, Jordan said: “No, I’m in negotiation with a couple… I think playing at the moment is the least of our problems. Because the London Irish games are going to be the least of our problems.”
London Irish are former Challenge Cup finalists and Premiership runners-up.
The club also finished fifth in their final campaign before suspension two years ago.
Jordan later touched on his ongoing battle with prostate and bladder cancer, having revealed his diagnosis in December.
He emotionally explained: “Sorry, guys. Just a small thing. Thank you. I’ve just come out of getting chemotherapy. And I’m not 100 per cent together here, guys.
“I’m just not myself at this moment in time. So I’m a little bit all over the place. So please forgive me. I just had a big deal yesterday. So I’m sorry I’m not quite myself.”
Prior to his move into rugby union, Jordan spent over a decade in F1.
After founding Jordan Grand Prix, he oversaw the team from 1991 to 2005.
During that time, they won four races and claimed 19 podiums across 250 race entries.