The head coach of Whitehaven Rugby League Football Club announced his resignation just minutes after guiding his side to a potentially season-defining win.
In his post-match interview with BBC Radio Cumbria, Whitehaven boss Jonty Gorley announced his intention to step down confirming that the club’s 28-24 win over Doncaster was his “last game”.
It had previously been announced that Gorley would leave the club at the end of the season but he has called time on the role with six games remaining in the season, with Haven’s Championship status still on the line.
“That’s my last game today, mate,” Gorley told BBC Radio Cumbria after upsetting the odds as 8/1 underdogs to beat playoff-chasing Doncaster thanks to a last-minute Jake Maizen try.
Recently, Whitehaven have made it clear that they’re a team in financial difficulty with fellow Championship side Bradford Bulls raising over £2,000 to contribute to the Cumbrian side at their recent match. It was a stark reminder of the community spirit in the game but also the huge gulf between Championship and Super League.
“I’ve got my morals” – Whitehaven Rugby League coach resigns
When asked further on why he had made the decision to step away from the club with just six games of the Championship season remaining, Gorley cited recent developments at the club which had even seen the team play with just 16 men.
Gorley explained: “Things have happened in the club since Thursday and I’ve thought about it long and hard. As much as I want to stay at the club because of the lads, which I’ve done for god knows how many weeks because we’ve had busted bodies and 16 players. The news over the club in the last couple of days, I just can’t stay at the club now.
“I think it’s untenable. How do I put it, as much as I want to stay I’ve got my standards and I’ve got my morals and I’ve got to be true to myself. Basically, I can’t stop with the club, it’s as simple as that.”
He was satisfied to at least go out on a high with the victory keeping Haven on the same points total as 11th and 12th-placed Barrow and Swinton, who also both won on Sunday afternoon.
“This is a great way to finish I suppose, but I was going at the end of the year anyhow, but I’ve cut that short. I’ve got to go. It’s as simple as that, I’ve got to go.”
Gorley, who was clearly emotional in the interview, had been head coach of Whitehaven Rugby League Football Club since 2022 and had guided the team to 10th and 12th-place finishes in the past two seasons.
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