Cornish Pirates Pursue Premiership Ambitions with New Stadium Plans
Cornish Pirates, a Championship rugby club based at Mennaye Field in Penzance, are actively pursuing a pathway to reach the Premiership through a franchise-style expansion. Central to their strategy is the potential move to a new arena near Truro, known as the Stadium for Cornwall.
The Stadium for Cornwall was originally planned by former owner Sir Richard Evans, who is now 80 and living with Parkinson's. Evans announced a three-year sunset plan for winding down his majority backing in March 2022. Subsequently, a local business consortium stepped in to prevent the club's collapse.
Currently, the Pirates operate with a playing budget of around £800,000, which is significantly lower than that of the Championship frontrunners. Despite this, the team has remained competitive under the guidance of coaches Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver.
Sally Pettipher, the club's chief executive, confirmed that a Premiership plan is in place, emphasizing that Cornwall deserves a Premiership club. Pettipher also stated that the club will build a sustainable business to support their goal of reaching the top tier.
In support of this vision, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney visited the region to hear the Pirates' plans firsthand. Simon Gillham, chair of the Championship and vice-president of French club Brive, joined remotely due to travel disruptions. Gillham cited examples such as Brive and Vannes, illustrating how regional identity can empower clubs outside large towns. He suggested that Cornwall could follow this model if appropriate backers invest in the club.
At present, attendance at Mennaye Field stands at 1,722 for home games. The current facility is owned by the Penzance & Newlyn amateur club and is considered far below Premiership standards. Notably, the stadium features an 'eco roof' on the Tribute Stand, which has been frequently mentioned in this context.
