Dyson will become a co-owner with Craig in Bath Rugby, the holding company which owns the club, the Recreation Ground stadium – soon to undergo a £70m redevelopment as Arena 1865 – and the training ground at the opulent Farleigh House. It is understood that a lot of the club’s existing debt – £17m in their 2024 accounts – will be wiped out with Dyson’s investment, too.
“This is the club I have supported for most of my life,” Dyson said. “My children and my grandchildren do so, too. I stood on the terraces and have watched the high moments as well as the difficult years.
“Bruce deserves enormous respect for rebuilding the club to be the force that it is today and I am not here to change that. I am here to support, just as I have for the past 45 years, but now with greater commitment and responsibility.”
Craig, who bought 100 per cent of Bath in 2010, added: “This has never been a short-term project. From the beginning, the aim has been to build something resilient, competitive and worthy of the club’s history.
“James understands Bath first and foremost as a supporter and a friend. His family has stood behind the club for decades and it always felt inevitable that our paths would align in this way.
“I will continue to run Bath and together we will strengthen its foundations, realise the new stadium and build the club for generations to come.”
Last week, Bath confirmed that they had completed and passed the additional salary cap audit for the 2024-25 season, a routine undertaking carried out by Prem Rugby for the champions.