Whitehaven Rugby League Club has confirmed that its players have now gone on strike, with fears growing that the Championship side won't be able to complete the season. 

Financial issues have been rife at The Recreation Ground in recent years and following a chaotic week which has seen long-serving manager Des Byrne step down and head coach Jonty Gorley resign, it has now emerged that playing staff have left the club, citing a breakdown with the board. 

Kyle Amor, who was only appointed as the new head coach on Monday, August 19, shared the following update on Tuesday evening: 

"It's more than serious. I spoke to a number of players and performance staff on Monday. I was quite excited about the opportunity to come and try to pick up a group that was obviously upset and fragile in that department. It's fully understandable as well because what Jonty and his performance staff have been able to do has been incredible. That can't be undersold or go unnoticed. My job was to try and pick them up and find some enjoyment in what has been a very difficult year for the players.

"Unfortunately I've landed here with no performance staff, no management staff. I've had a conversation with a group of players that are fully united in that they will not play any remaining fixtures this season for Whitehaven Rugby League unless some really drastic measures and conversations can happen between them and the board.

"It's been well documented over the last couple of years the troubles that club has had. This is just another season, and another piece of evidence where the organisation from the board level down to the playing staff, is broken. There's a lack of trust there and unfortunately without one, you can't have the other. It's disappointing, but I understand it from everyone concerned. I tried to talk with them for 45 minutes, but they were all pretty unanimous that that's what they would be doing. I'm not sure anything can be resolved. I hope it can. For right now, it seems like, that's it."

The former Super League star reaffirmed his commitment to the role and confirmed that he would '100%' lead the team, should the playing staff return. 

He said: "That playing group is capable of winning a few more games. No doubt about that. So if it can be resolved, of course I will continue."

Whitehaven currently sit 13th out of 14 teams in the Betfred Championship, with just six games of the season remaining. 

They are due to play bottom-of-the-table Dewsbury Rams on Sunday, August 25, but as it stands, it seems as if the game will not go ahead.

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