Championship club could cease to exist

Whilst the biggest clubs like Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and others are thinking about Old Trafford and may have an eye on the negotiations for a new TV deal.

There were reports this week that TNT could swoop in and take the rights to Super League from Sky Sports.

However, beyond these huge clubs in Super League there seems to be some problems in the leagues below sadly.

The Championship is home to some of the biggest clubs in British rugby league but it is also often the home of financial strife for clubs across the country.

Especially with central distribution funding being reduced in recent times in a huge blow to plenty of clubs across the lower leagues.

This has resulted in one club starting a go fund me page to get them through the rest of the season.

The club in question is Whitehaven. The go fund me page was initially set up by a fan but the club have shared it stating “we need your help.”

To fans of Whitehaven Rugby League and the wider rugby league family – we need your help https://t.co/ZzP3TWdbx9#WeareHaven pic.twitter.com/SsqPibhXCs

— Whitehaven Rugby League (@OfficialHavenRl) July 10, 2023

The link to support the club is here.

Now their coach Jonty Gorley has gone in detail into the problems at the club which could see the club cease to exist.

He said on BBC Cumbria: “It’s pointless talking about next season if we can’t even talk about next week.

“If we don’t do something and if we don’t get funds in from wherever we can, every avenue we need to look down then there won’t be a Whitehaven. Whitehaven are in trouble here.

“The club is in the state it is in. We’re not getting paid. But as a coach I’m still putting my time in, Stephen Kirkbride my assistant is putting his time in, Paul Halcrow who does my video and my stats is putting time in.

“We’re not getting paid at the moment. We’ll get it but at the moment we’re not – but we’ve still got a job to do.

“I understand we’ve lost three players and I can’t argue with that. If you’re not getting paid at work you’ve got to go somewhere else.”