Featherstone put majority of players and staff on furlough leave

Featherstone have placed most of their players, coaches and staff on furlough leave during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby league has been suspended indefinitely due to the crisis, with Rovers not being able to train together and staff not able to work during lockdown.

The club has written to its employees to express its intention to take advantage of the HMRC coronavirus job retention scheme to secure employment of its employees.

Rovers chief executive Davide Longo said: “It is still very unclear, we have no end date to this situation and it’s a matter of restructuring the business and cashflow so we survive the next 3 months without any gate receipts or ancillary income.

“The government and the RFL need to be recognised in what has been pledged so far, they have been very supportive throughout this pandemic and we thank you for providing much needed assistance and finance so we can maintain employment for so many people.

“Most of our staff have been unable to work since the game was suspended, this decision recognises that and puts the club into a dormant period of time, ready to return when rugby league season resumes.

“We thank all our supporters and commercial partners for standing by the club and we will be ready to go when the season kicks-off again.”

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