A WEST Cumbrian rugby club has issued a plea to the community to support the club through a period of financial hardship.

Whitehaven RLFC interim CEO Les Messenger launched a plea to the club's fans to 'come to the aid of the club', saying that the club are in 'dire straits' following a period of lower footfall in the last season.

The club has said that the players haven't been paid contract money for July, which equates to a total of £14,000 between the players, with winning money for the game against Swinton Lions also not being paid out, and the board is now down to two members.

In a 24-minute message to fans posted on social media, Mr Messenger said: "On a financial footing we are behind the black ball. We are suffering from virtually five away games in July which meant we had no income coming in, and we had £1,000 roughly to find for buses to take the players to away games.

"We had the one home game against Toulouse on a Saturday which had 331 fans through the gates, so the footfall was horrendous there, so it was virtually written off. It was like another away game."

He added: "I need you people, the good people of Whitehaven, to come to the aid of the club. We're in dire straits, I make no bones about it."

The CEO said he will 'not let the club fold' and will be the 'last man standing' at Whitehaven RLFC.

He said it was now down to the 'good people' that have heard the appeal to 'dig deep' and support the club.

Mr Messenger also asked if any companies may have an interest in sponsorship, and the board would be more than willing to negotiate terms.

As well as launching the plea to the community, Whitehaven RLFC have approached the RFL board for an upfront payment for the end of the season to be released.

The club were in a similar position at the end of the last season. When asked if this would be a situation every 12 months, Mr Messenger said: "No, I think going forward I am preparing a business plan where we can see what income we need to generate off the field. It isn't just 13 home games and then we are home and free."

He added that the club were looking at corporate packages in which organisations can use the venue for corporate events.