Northampton boss embraces Spencer

Carlos Spencer

If Carlos Spencer wants to indulge his passion for the outdoor life it will just take a phone call to his new Northampton boss, Keith Barwell.

Spencer got a taste for some of the hunting, shooting and fishing world in the Midlands when he made a recent trip to sign his three-year deal.

"He came to my house, about 10km out of town, where I have 1000 acres for people to shoot pheasant and partridge," Barwell told the Herald.

"He can get fitted up in plus twos or plus fours, like some of the pictures we have of Wayne Shelford here, and I am sure Carlos will have a great time.

"I don't have any lakes on the property but there are plenty of them locally for fishing."

Spencer will leave New Zealand next month on the next stage of a rugby career which has covered 14 first-class seasons. He had come to a point where he wanted to move on, he wanted a different challenge.

Family life had changed his perspectives, he was not favoured for the frontline All Blacks, and before he broke his cheekbone he had also been eased out of the Blues.

It was convenient to claim he needed a fresh start, no doubt it was opportune, but it was also hastened by his dwindling fortunes.

Spencer also spoke about getting away from the glare of publicity.

If he plays as well for Northampton as he has in New Zealand, the town will engulf him with the sort of interest which saw 200,000 hits on his website when he visited this month.

It is ironic that Spencer should rely on Barwell, a former media magnate, to bankroll his next venture. Barwell has spent 50 years in and around Northampton and, at 61, is the major shareholder, chairman and chief executive of the Saints.

"As a club we turn over 10 million ($26 million) and make a profit," Barwell said.

When the game went pro a decade ago, Barwell paid 1 million to assume control of the club, one which has gained an increasing New Zealand connection.

Wayne Shelford, Glenn Ross, Pat Lam, Wayne Smith, Bruce Reihana, Mark Robinson, Andrew Blowers and Matt Lord have been well-known at Franklin's Gardens.

"We like Kiwis," said Barwell, "but we do not have enough English players in our team.

"However, Steve Thompson would not be half the player he is without the input of Federico Mendez, and [Tim] Rodber would not have been so great without Shelford.

"We don't mind pinching some of your players to teach ours. It is a bloody good idea, but we have not had a good season this time."

So Barwell has singled out Spencer as someone to resuscitate the club, taking over from the departing Shane Drahm and retiring Paul Grayson at first five-eighths.

"I have always liked Carlos, I have huge respect for him as a creative player. He has taken the challenge and I'm sure he will fit in well here.

"Carlos has made a big statement by leaving New Zealand. There will be plenty of pressure on him to produce because you guys will be watching."

Northampton were looking out for the five-eighths when he made his recent hit-and-run visit. While Spencer and his group stayed out of sight for some time, Barwell noted it was easy to identify a guy in jandals, adorned with tattoos, buying up jerseys in the Saints leisurewear shop.

Reports from Britain suggest Spencer was valued at about 250,000 ($650,000) a season in what may be a combination of financial packages, incentives and other deals.

Whatever the arrangement, Barwell and his club have stumped up with something approaching Jonny Wilkinson's deal.

Barwell was once a telephone sales rep who worked in the commercial sector for the Thomson media group with titles like The Times and Scotsman.

In the early 70s he started his own newspaper chain servicing the commuter belt north of London. He sold the business back to the Thomson group in the late 80s.

"It took me 15 years to build that business up and since then I have frittered it away on rugby," he laughed.

"But I love it, I am from round here, I went to school here and I have had a huge interest in the club for the last 10 years.

"Our plan is to win the Heineken Cup and then I will stand down, but it is very tough in Europe.

"Carlos is very much a part of that plan. I have seen a lot of him play on film and obviously on a three-year contract there is a certain amount of risk. He is a bit battered and bruised and rugby in the Northern Hemisphere is much more physical."

Barwell will be able to make a better assessment when he visits New Zealand during the Lions tour.

The ebullient rugby club owner is not so sure the Lions can repeat the historic results of their 1971 predecessors.

"It is going to be a big shout for the Lions.

"They are at the end of a season, many of them will be tired and it will be tough to play a vibrant New Zealand side."KEITH BARWELL

At 61, he is described as an inspiring leader.

Once a telephone sales rep, he launched a free newspaper chain, which he sold in 1998 for about 20 million.

He has many interests in Barwell Corporation, based in Northampton.

In 1995 as the game turned professional, he paid 1 million to gain control of Saints and he stills remains the club's owner and chairman.