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Worcester are cleared to play…but a week out from the new Premiership season, wages are further delayed with growing unrest among confused and angry players
- Worcester are facing financial woes and are struggling to fulfil wages
- Statement released revealing the playing squad would get August wages in full
- Other staff members would receive 65 per cent with the rest to follow next week
- Notices would be handed in if wages not paid, players inform the club
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Worcester were cleared on Thursday to start the Premiership season, but on another turbulent day for the club, wages were further delayed and players demanded action amid growing unrest.
On Wednesday evening, the co-owners of the Warriors, Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, released a statement revealing their squad would receive August pay in full. Other staff members would receive 65 per cent, with the rest to follow next week.
Tensions rose yesterday after another hold-up, in a process complicated by HMRC freezing the club’s bank accounts.
Worcester Warriors have told their players they will receive their August wages in full
As of last night, several sources indicated to Sportsmail that most employees still hadn’t been paid, but there were suggestions wages were beginning to trickle through. By that time, Worcester players — as advised by their union, the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) — had informed the club payments would have to be made to prevent them handing in their notice in a fortnight, as per the terms of their contracts.
It was another day of confusion and suspicion, with unconfirmed reports of vehicles and phones belonging to the club being confiscated, while takeover talks rumbled on. Amid speculation about how the owners had raised funds to pay wages, it emerged that they recently remortgaged Morecambe, their debt-free Football League club.
Worcester’s dire predicament was the hot topic at the Premiership season launch event at Twickenham. The chief executive of PRL, Simon Massie-Taylor, explained the club had convinced the authorities that they can proceed with their opening league game at London Irish a week tomorrow, but beyond that there are no assurances, just hope.
The club have offered assurances that they can proceed with their opening fixture next week
‘The club has given assurances around the first month,’ he said. ‘By them funding the payroll for this month, it’s based on a high chance of finding the long-term funding solution.
‘By virtue of them taking that risk, it was a signal to the RFU and us that they felt confident, but they’re not out of the woods yet.’
Director of rugby Steve Diamond was asked if he believes the Warriors can fight on through the entire campaign. He said: ‘I’m 100 per cent confident that will happen. If we get over this hurdle — as in hopefully wages are paid — I don’t foresee it happening again.’