Up from the Ashes

I know it’s unusual in a sports blog to start with a quote from a musical film, but there is one that sums up Harlequins’ recent form, one from the much loved film, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. In the film the grandfather is taken from the comfort of his shed to a fictional land, where he is instructed to build a flying car, just like the one his son has built. Here he meets a group of scientists to assist him and the song, ‘The Roses of Success’ is sung, in it the line, ‘Up from the Ashes, Grow the Roses of Success’. This sums up how Quins have grown, and it is a fairy tale worthy of Dick van Dyke bursting into song at every opportunity.

Harlequins are currently top of the Premiership, top seeds in the Heineken Cup Quarters and LV Cup semi finals. Conor O’Shea has named the LV Cup team for the remainder of the tournament, leaving the rest of the squad to focus on the Premiership and Heineken Cup, in a bid to challenge on all three fronts. Quins are aiming to retain the Premiership title and claim their first Heineken Cup trophy. With the duo of O’Shea and Chris Robshaw, there’s nothing to say they can’t go on and surpass the records of the great Leicester teams.

It all began when Mark Evans took over as CEO from Saracens in 2000. Rather than doing what a lot of modern teams do when they get a cash injection, he instigated a process of long term gain. He built an infrastructure around the club, which he used in order to win titles. Even the strongest infrastructure still needs stars to succeed, names such as Zinzan Brooke and Nick Evans spring to mind. What followed was a rollercoaster ride taking in the highs of what is now the Challenge Cup, and the lows of relegation. However, this has culminated in the most incredible couple of seasons.


On arrival, Evans set about the process of increasing the capacity and gate receipt of the Stoop, and improving the academy. It brought rewards with Quins winning the 2001 European Shield. What followed was a few years of torture for Quins fans; in 2002 head coach John Kingston, was sent to reassess his position at the club after a string of eight defeats. Kingston stayed on at Quins as their forwards coach before being reinstated as head coach. In 2004 they won the now renamed Parker Pen Shield, but not everything was looking up. Jeremy Staunton missed a kick that would have kept Quins in the Premiership, instead they were relegated and Staunton earned a reputation amongst Quins fans. However, it was not the kind of reputation now enjoyed by stalwarts such as Robshaw and Mike Brown, rather the sort tolerated by those who have disappointed the faithful, yet are still respected for their rugby skills.

At the time of relegation, fans were in dismay, so to maintain Evans’ vision of a club team with a solid fan base, the club offered massive reductions in season ticket prices. However, to the fans credit, many did not pay the reduced price and there is now a wall at the Stoop which recognises their commitment to the club.

A key part of their plan was bringing in Dean Richards, the former Leicester player and coach, as Director of Rugby. After a successful time at Leicester, Richard’s left unceremoniously for Grenoble, France.  A futile spell saw Richard’s sign for Quins pre-relegation, despite this he showed his commitment at Quins, and stayed for the relegation.

Quins, as expected, dominated National One as it was known then, only losing to Exeter Chiefs. The opportunity was used to blood young players, gaining experience in a less competitive league. Players like Robshaw, Brown and Jordan Turner-Hall all made their debuts in National One. This gave them the experience and knowledge about game play that can only be learnt through time on the pitch. It led to the discovery of David Strettle from Rotherham, who along with the other players, has been crucial in Quins’ rise to the top.

The 2006-7 season, Quins consolidated their position in the Premiership, another step on the upward curve, before qualifying the following season for the Heineken Cup. Quins topped their Heineken Cup pool, having played two epic matches against Stade Français, and coming out on top, before a Quarter Final at the Stoop against Leinster. The Bloodgate scandal hit the headlines as a result of this game. Tom Williams faked an injury; biting on a blood capsule, he was replaced by Nick Evans, who was injured earlier in the game. Up until then the season had been strong and arguably, still was a success, despite Bloodgate. Ultimately, that match was the downfall of Richards, who was banned from coaching for three years.

Damaged morale led to a mediocre 2009-10 season and O’Shea was drafted in for the final few games as Director of Rugby and Kingston was made head coach.

The next season, Quins’ league form was ok at best, the team that was aiming for the Play-Offs, ended up seventh and out of Heineken Cup contention. However there was an opportunity, the Amlin Challenge Cup. After beating Wasps in the quarters, a semi-final away at Thomand Park against Munster, they faced Stade Français in the final, winning 19-18. The victory sent Quins into the 20011-12 Heineken Cup, and saw them become the first team to win Europe’s second tier competition for the third time.

The 2011-12 season started perfectly with Quins unbeaten in all competitions until mid December, when Toulouse came to the Stoop and taught Quins a lesson. Quins took note and went on to win at Le Stadium in Toulouse, an incredible feat. The first league defeat came in Quins’ Big Game at Twickenham to Saracens, who later hosted them at Wembley where Quins sought revenge.
They missed out on a Heineken Cup Quarter Final qualification by the narrowest of margins, but went on to win the Premiership with a win over Leicester at Twickenham.

Although a long journey, the infrastructure built by Evans is now paying dividends for the club, with the academy showing their strength winning the A League, coupled with a solid fan base. Although a low in the club’s history, their relegation to National One arguably gave them the opportunity to bring through young players who are now integral to the club’s success. With Quins now leaving their mark on all major competitions, and having an academy bursting with new talent, their rise to the top can only continue.

Guest blogger @minibrabz