sport news Crisis-stricken Worcester Warriors WILL play Newcastle this weekend but outlook ... trends now
Worcester’s day-by-day battle for survival will be extended into the weekend after the Warriors met Rugby Football Union assurances they could host Saturday’s scheduled clash with Newcastle.
But that Gallagher Premiership match looks likely to be the club’s last – at least for a few weeks – as calls for them to enter administration grow louder.
On Wednesday, the RFU stepped up plans to suspend the cash-strapped Warriors from all competitions unless they could get the required planning in place for the Newcastle game.
They have managed to do that, but Worcester are now highly unlikely to be able meet another RFU deadline.
By 5pm on Monday, they must show English rugby’s governing body they have proof of suitable insurance and will be able to pay outstanding salaries to staff.
Sportsmail understands the club will not be able to do that with suspension from the the likely result at the start of next week the likely result. The outlook for the Warriors is bleak.
Club owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring have claimed since last Friday they are close to sealing a sale of Worcester which would secure its future.
Owners Jason Whittingham (left) and Colin Goldring (right) have been blasted by Worcester Warriors fans, players and staff alike for continually broken promises
Fans have railed against the owners while showing immense support for the team
But no such deal has taken place. Whittingham and Goldring have long since lost all support from Worcester’s players, backroom staff and loyal fans.
On Thursday afternoon, Worcester MP Robin Walker will step up his attempts to save his hometown club by appearing in Parliament where he will plead for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to help force the Warriors into administration.
‘It's very clear there are investors who want to take the club forward, but they have now been clear that this will happen only through a process of administration,’ Walker told BBC Hereford & Worcester.
‘We need to make sure the staff and players have proper support and they're not getting that at the moment from the current owners and directors.’
A misfit Warriors team of kids and veterans was put out against Gloucester on Wednesday
The majority of Worcester’s support staff have still only been paid 65 per cent of their August salaries, but they continue to work miracles in the face of
