Worcester Warriors owners attack players and fans as troubled club face mass exodus

Worcester owners released a statement apologizing “that during the pandemic we did not have the foresight to cut the squad budget, but instead remained committed to giving the club the best chances to be competitive.”

Worcester owners have dealt a blow to the club’s players and fans as the crisis surrounding the Gallagher Premiership side deepened.

Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham issued a statement in response to an interview conducted by Worcester captain Ted Hill ITV headquarters on Friday, in which he said an apology was needed “not just from the owners, but from other senior figures at the company.”

Addressing “staff, supporters and the Worcester Warriors community,” the owners said: “We are all sorry that the club is going through this current situation and for the emotional distress this must have caused.

“But we remain hopeful that through the management process the club can find new ownership and emerge in a stronger position to receive rugby at Sixways.

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Worcester Warriors center Ollie Lawrence says his club must not be allowed to administrate other teams in the Premiership

“We are grateful to the fans who have turned out week after week to support the club, but we are sorry there were not more of you, or not on a regular enough basis to make the club financially viable, despite the significant personal ones involved Funds that we have invested in the association.

“We are sorry that during the pandemic we did not have the foresight to cut the squad budget but continued to work to give the club the best chance to be competitive.

“We are grateful to all the staff who have supported the club through Covid in accepting a significant cut in their pay but we are sorry that the squad have been unable to accept a similar cut.

“And in some cases players would not accept a pay cut at all, despite our openness to the financial impact it would have on the club.”

The players could be released from their contracts next Wednesday when a settlement order issued by HM Revenue and Customs is heard in the High Court.

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Worcester Warriors’ Matt Kvesic says it’s been an “emotional rollercoaster ride” as the club were banned from all RFU competitions due to financial problems

Players’ contracts and those of some club staff are held by an unmanaged company called WRFC Players Ltd, which is the subject of HMRC’s complaint.

It is a subsidiary of WRFC Trading Ltd, for which administrators Begbies Traynor are looking for a buyer.

Two syndicates, one of which includes former Worcester chief executive Jim O’Toole, are understood to have expressed interest in buying the club out of administration.

All Warriors players and staff were due to be paid on Friday but the PA news agency can confirm that has not happened, meaning they are entitled to look elsewhere for work.

For anyone wanting to leave, that means 14 days’ notice before becoming a free agent two weeks later.

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Worcester Warriors were suspended from all RFU competitions after missing the deadline to meet the necessary requirements to continue

But if WRFC Players Ltd is wound up, Worcester would automatically have no players or staff under contract, effectively leaving them unemployed and leaving Warriors seemingly with no choice but to exit England’s top rugby division.

Worcester’s debts total more than £25million, including at least £6million in unpaid taxes, while owners Goldring and Whittingham have been accused of robbing assets from the club.

The club on Monday failed to meet a deadline set by Rugby Football Union for proof of insurance coverage and funding for the club’s monthly payroll, resulting in him being banned from all competitions.

Goldring and Whittingham, owners of WRFC Players Ltd, could seek an extension of up to 14 days in the dissolution order, giving prospective club buyers an opportunity to retain staff.

In another development, PA believes administrators were only able to access Worcester’s computer server on Thursday evening to begin reviewing relevant materials.

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England head coach Eddie Jones says he is worried about the future of Worcester and Wasps and sympathizes with both the players and the fans

The club’s IT provider is a creditor and is believed to be owed in excess of £20,000. All WiFi at Sixways and server access were shut down two weeks ago.

Premiership rivals Worcester and neighboring Gloucester, meanwhile, have given Warriors season ticket holders a 50 per cent discount on tickets to the home games of the Cherry and Whites Premiership and Premiership Cup.

Gloucester was scheduled to host Worcester on Saturday before the Warriors went into suspension. They will now hold an opening practice session at Kingsholm instead.

In a message to Worcester fans published on the Gloucester website, club boss Lance Bradley said: “We don’t expect you to make a sudden move to Gloucester Rugby and you are welcome to wear your Worcester shirts.

“Our clubs are rivals on the pitch, but not off it. When we see our neighbors going through a tough time, it just feels right to welcome you to our ‘spar’.”