WIDNES ON THE VERGE OF ADMINISTRATION

[old hooker]

Another example why RL is a dying game

[josie andrews]

WIDNES SET FOR 12-POINT DEDUCTION AS ADMINISTRATION LOOMS

Widnes Vikings will go into administration tomorrow and will be hit with a 12-point deduction in the Betfred Championship, according to BBC Sport.

The Cheshire club were unable to pay their employees this week after the collapse of a takeover bid created a significant cash-flow gap.

Their game against Sheffield on Sunday has been postponed due to the financial uncertainty and they will now enter administration leaving the club’s future in doubt.

Widnes released a statement this afternoon stating: “Whilst discussions are ongoing with regards to ensuring the club’s survival, it was felt appropriate to postpone this weekend’s Betfred Championship fixture against Sheffield Eagles, which has been done in conjunction with the Sheffield club.”

Having won two of their first three games, the Vikings will be on -8 points once they enter administration with their next scheduled match at home to Featherstone on Sunday week.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/widnes-s ... ion-19327/

[Nezza Faz]

Another example why RL is a dying game

Did you say similar when Liverpool City folded in the 1970's ??

More case here of a club being mismanaged, with serious financial miscalculations.

Also, plenty of soccer clubs in recent years gone into Admin (Bolton W ?). Is that a dying game too ?
Going into Admin ain't necessarily a "deathknell", it buys time for recovery and a planned investment going forward, as Bradford Bulls and York are now doing, amongst others.

[ian.birchall]

Make a quick cash offer for MOTP and resign him for Wigan. Anybody else good enough or better than what we have now in that position??

[josie andrews]

JAMES RULE RECEIVES DEATH THREATS AS WIDNES FACE LIQUIDATION

Former Widnes CEO James Rule and his family have received death threats according to current club administrator Peter O’Hara.

Rule left the Vikings at the start of the month, with many fans believing he is largely responsible for the club’s current financial crisis.

Widnes have today been deducted 12 points for enter administration after the collapse of a takeover bid created a significant cash-flow gap.

This has angered many of the club’s fan base and O’Hara, who is acting on behalf of Insolvency Company O’Hara’s, revealed that the club’s former CEO currently needs police protection.

“James Rule, who was the chief executive and director is at the end of his tether,” O’Hara told the Mirror Sport.

“He has had to get police protection after threats to his life and his family, and his health has suffered. He came to my office and he really doesn’t want anything more to do with it.”

The club’s game this weekend against Sheffield was postponed due to insurance issues and speaking at today’s press conference, O’Hara says that Widnes will struggle to play another game and are staring liquidation in the face.

Although players have been paid for this month, he added that the Vikings have no money and that relegation parachute payments from Super League have not been released.

“Unless the club can find investors and find them quickly, it will go into liquidation and that will be the end of Widnes, which nobody wants,” O’Hara said.

Describing the situation as rudderless, the experienced administrator added they are reluctant to sell players but concluded that the predicament is a result of the club spending more than they earned.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/james-ru ... ion-19352/

[josie andrews]

RFL STATEMENT - WIDNES VIKINGS

In recent weeks, the club have kept the Rugby Football League updated on the situation as it has developed and fully recognises how disappointing it is for all involved that it has reached this position.

The club has played a significant role both in the history of the sport and also that of the town, and having spoken to many of the stakeholders involved over this period, we are well aware of the level of goodwill and support which still exists for the Vikings.

Following the latest development, the RFL will now seek to work alongside those stakeholders in order to try and find a solution which guarantees the future of the club.

The RFL, in conjunction with Rugby League Cares, are in dialogue with players and staff and will continue to provide welfare support and advice.

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/54 ... es-vikings

[Caboosegg]

JAMES RULE RECEIVES DEATH THREATS AS WIDNES FACE LIQUIDATION

Former Widnes CEO James Rule and his family have received death threats according to current club administrator Peter O’Hara.

Rule left the Vikings at the start of the month, with many fans believing he is largely responsible for the club’s current financial crisis.

Widnes have today been deducted 12 points for enter administration after the collapse of a takeover bid created a significant cash-flow gap.

This has angered many of the club’s fan base and O’Hara, who is acting on behalf of Insolvency Company O’Hara’s, revealed that the club’s former CEO currently needs police protection.

“James Rule, who was the chief executive and director is at the end of his tether,” O’Hara told the Mirror Sport.

“He has had to get police protection after threats to his life and his family, and his health has suffered. He came to my office and he really doesn’t want anything more to do with it.”

The club’s game this weekend against Sheffield was postponed due to insurance issues and speaking at today’s press conference, O’Hara says that Widnes will struggle to play another game and are staring liquidation in the face.

Although players have been paid for this month, he added that the Vikings have no money and that relegation parachute payments from Super League have not been released.

“Unless the club can find investors and find them quickly, it will go into liquidation and that will be the end of Widnes, which nobody wants,” O’Hara said.

Describing the situation as rudderless, the experienced administrator added they are reluctant to sell players but concluded that the predicament is a result of the club spending more than they earned.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/james-ru ... ion-19352/

How pathetic of people.

[old hooker]

Another example why RL is a dying game

Did you say similar when Liverpool City folded in the 1970's ??

More case here of a club being mismanaged, with serious financial miscalculations.

Also, plenty of soccer clubs in recent years gone into Admin (Bolton W ?). Is that a dying game too ?
Going into Admin ain't necessarily a "deathknell", it buys time for recovery and a planned investment going forward, as Bradford Bulls and York are now doing, amongst others.

Have you seen the attendance figures at Bradford compared with Bullmania years, have you seen the attendance at Salford, Widnes etc.Are you aware that amateur clubs are folding at an alarming rate? No tours by the Aussies, the proposed tour to NZ is unlikely to go ahead due to lack of sponorship.RL is a dying game.

[DaveO]

When will the sport finally realise that promotion and relegation is not financially viable between a full time professional league (SL) and a semi pro one?

Leigh almost went the same way are were shedding players left, right and centre. Now the livelihood of the Widnes players is on the line.

This isn’t the era of a semi pro game where players worked five days a week at Turner Brothers or similar in a normal job and any income from RL was a nice bonus. It’s a career where they are expected to be full time but then can literally have their contacts ripped up.

Relegation is a financial disaster, not just a bit of sporting ignominy. It’s never worked properly and consistent since the game went full time.

[fozzieskem]

When will the sport finally realise that promotion and relegation is not financially viable between a full time professional league (SL) and a semi pro one?

Leigh almost went the same way are were shedding players left, right and centre. Now the livelihood of the Widnes players is on the line.

This isn’t the era of a semi pro game where players worked five days a week at Turner Brothers or similar in a normal job and any income from RL was a nice bonus. It’s a career where they are expected to be full time but then can literally have their contacts ripped up.

Relegation is a financial disaster, not just a bit of sporting ignominy. It’s never worked properly and consistent since the game went full time.

The bigger question im beginning to myself is how much longer can the game remain full-time?