Johnny Howard, future director of ASBH rugby, spoke with Thierry Rouanet, the president of the Brennus supporters association. In a speech that wanted to be reassuring, he confirmed the projects of club buyers. On their side, still pending, some partners before putting the hand in their pocket again, would like to know a little more about the ambitions of the buyers. They are promised that everything will be said on May 6.
Why, how, with whom, what means, what projects, what recruitment …? Among the ASBH fans, questions are fused. Supporters, rugby enthusiasts, even club partners, many wonder what will be the future of this Biterroise entity for those who beat their hearts. So many questions due, in part, to the silence of the new owners of the club. Since they arrived at the head of Béziers in November 2024, they were not tied up, even very often to absent subscribers.
“I am the filter between buyers and the club”
Johnny Howard, who will be appointed director of ASBH rugby next July is the only one to be really present. He met Thierry Rouanet, the president of the Brennus supporters club: “I am the filter between buyers and the club, he told me when I asked him for his exact role, Explains the Biterrois with whom the former melee half wanted to be very reassuring. He certified me that the leaders would make an announcement on May 6. Johnny Howard assured me their desire to raise the club in top 14 by the next five years, with a budget that will be around 20 M €. He told me that next season we will go from € 9 million budget to € 10 million. “
The Nursery Player Training Center
The future ASBH rugby director has also confirmed the desire of new leaders to make the club training center a nursery of players in the making. Johnny Howard therefore confirms most of what was announced last November. For the 2025-2026 season, he announced to Thierry Rouanet that “The contracts of the executives will be extended, that young people will go up in the pro group and that there will be three recruits including one rear.”
The president of the Brennus believes that “We will know everything when the provisional budget is communicated for next season. For the moment, I am fairly shared. Yes, for the project and the ambitions displayed. But I am disappointed with this end of the season which could end in sausage water … Especially since Aix-en-Provence, Pierre Caillet came to meet the supporters and also expressed his concerns.”
For its part, the Rugby Regulatory Authority (ex-DNACG), the league’s financial gendarme, will also have, at one point, his say. If she does not see financial cations, healthy finances and above all, a budget built and proven, it could stop the start of the club.
Shared partners
Some ASBH partners say “Do not be worried”like Gilles Guinchard (Burger King). The business manager considers “In internal, at the club, it works” and that “If the club does not communicate, it may be because the new leaders believe that it is not yet the time.”
Eric Montanié, the boss of La Brasserie La Coupole, has been a faithful supporter and partner of Béziers for years. He says he is not reassured by the silence of Biterrois leaders and their promises. In addition, for having often discussed with Pierre Caillet, the general manager, whom he supports, he says he does not understand their attitude: “I find their operation bizarre, he noted. I have the impression that the club escapes us. I hope to be wrong and that we will soon have a very positive ad. But sincerely, I believe it less and less. I ask myself questions because we do not build a team overnight. If the situation does not improve, I will continue to support the club financially, but much less than now. “
“It’s mess”
Cyrille Romero and his partner Jérémy Estruch (The Notre Dame Caves) have supported the club since 2020. The two partners are also in expectation and misunderstanding: “Whenever there has been a need for money to take, for example, a medical joker, the leaders hid behind the fact that they are in times of observation, regrets Cyrille Romero. I don’t understand their strategy. It’s mess. I wish good luck to the salespeople who will knock on the door of partners. I want to believe that we will reveal an ambitious project to us. But we cannot afford not to listen to Pierre CAILLET, to start from scratch … “
The current situation inevitably leaves doubts, while ASBH is still in the race for qualification. And that Pierre Caillet manages to keep his players motivated. They showed it in Provence Rugby and will not fail to fight to Dame the pawn on Friday in Mont-de-Marsan. This would make it possible to take a new step towards the final phase.
