Worcester beat 4pm wages deadline to survive for another month

Worcester have bought some breathing space in their battle for survival after finding the finance needed to keep their Gallagher Premiership squad intact for at least another month. Just hours after announcing the cancellation of their pre-season match on Friday against Glasgow on Friday, the PA news agency understands that the Warriors met a 4pm deadline set by players for payment of their salaries for August.

However, staff will only be paid 65 per cent with the hope that the outstanding money owed will be cleared soon. It means the feared player exodus has been avoided for now – as of midnight on Wednesday players could signal their intention to depart Sixways on breach of contract.

Co-owner Colin Goldring revealed to employees on Tuesday that it was unlikely payroll for August would be met due to the club’s finances being frozen by HM Revenue & Customs while they chase unpaid tax. But while this prospect has failed to materialise, the involvement of Worcester in the forthcoming Premiership season still remains in doubt ahead of their opener against London Irish on September 10.

A winding-up petition has been issued by HMRC with Goldring and his co-owner Jason Whittingham looking to find new buyers while hoping to avoid administration. The crisis appeared to have deepened when a statement released on social media by the director of rugby, Steve Diamond, announced that the clash with Glasgow in Inverness had been called off because of the unpaid wages.

Despite this latest development, however, that fixture will still not be played with Worcester’s squad due to train on Thursday and Friday instead. “Together we have been forced to take the hugely frustrating and disappointing decision not to travel to Inverness for our pre-season fixture against Glasgow Warriors on Friday,” the statement said.

“The squad have worked hard throughout pre-season and are bitterly disappointed to be put in this position. We express our deep sorrow to our hosts Glasgow Warriors who we hope understand the unique and worrying situation we find ourselves in. We would like to thank (main shirt sponsor) Adam Hewitt for his overwhelming generosity in offering to fund the trip. It simply isn’t feasible to play when futures remain uncertain and a decision had to be taken today [Wednesday].

“It is unethical for professional players to play a full-on game with the risk of injury and the real possibility of no employment to follow,” continued the statement. “We thank everyone for their continued support and for uniting behind us all – together.”