One of the most unfortunate aspects of the current financial crisis affecting Whitehaven rugby league club has been the countless social media spats involving the new and the old board.
Supporters have been left confused, dismayed or just fed-up with the countless sniping between the two factions whilst the club sinks further into the abyss.
Former chairman Tom Todd has been branded “twisted and bitter” and a man who would stop at nothing to block the efforts of the men who took over at the LEL Arena.
Conversely he and his former board members have been left feeling that their legacy has been betrayed and the club has gone backwards alarmingly since they left.
The exodus started in June 2021 when Todd and four directors resigned and gradually a new board was put into place.
One of the major issues has been who is responsible for the large amount of debt at the club which has resulted in key departures – players and staff – and prompted the need for appeals for financial support, including a JustGiving page being set-up.
It seems the Rugby Football League have been brought into the dispute and have answered a request from Mr Todd to clarify the situation.
In a lengthy Facebook post the former chairman says the RFL has responded to suggestions that he was largely responsible for the drop in central funding to the club, and also to when the six-figure loan was signed.
Quoting the RFL response he says: “I can 100 per cent assure you that there is absolutely no link between you and the drop in central distribution which is based on two things – 1, the broadcast deal and 2, the club’s ability to achieve both on and off the field (which is audited).”
With regard to the “very contentious loan, believed to be in the region of £104,000”, the RFL have also detailed the time-line.
The RFL says: “I can confirm that you did NOT sign the loan agreement on behalf of the club, or indeed the Board’s resolution that approved its undertaking.
“I can also confirm that the loan document is dated July 16 2021.”
Todd added: “That’s a little over six weeks after myself and the old board and official all resigned.
“I hope everyone can therefore make the leap in realising that WE, the old board, did not sanction the loan, we did not see the loan money in the club’s accounts in any way, shape or form and, of course, we did not spend the money nor do we know how and where or when the money was spent.”
