Following is Press Release sent to News & Star for Publication today Thursday 9th March.

NB - The release has been reviewed and changed by the reporter for final publication as it needed to be shortened to fit space requirements but the following is what was originally presented by the Club.


Workington Town RLFC are bitterly disappointed and consider the actions of Whitehaven’s chairman Des Byrnes who reported them to Rugby League for non payment of an account with regard to loan players from the 2005 season as completely unprofessional. They express concern that the action taken by Des Byrne regarding this matter may have a detrimental effect on the good reputation WTRLFC has rebuilt with all concerned over the past few years as everybody involved with the club has worked long and hard to overcome what seemed at times insurmountable hurdles.

Town’s CEO June Kennedy is appalled at the situation saying “John Cox had rung me with regard to the account at the end of February. I explained to him that our chairman Dave Bowden was in Paris on business that week but would be returning on the Friday and I would get the cheque authorised that weekend on the Sunday as we had a home game against Barrow. John was fine with this and this is indeed what happened. The cheque was signed on Sunday 26th and posted on Monday 27th. I spoke with Des Byrnes myself and told him the cheque was on it’s way. He rang later that week to say he had not yet received it and our secretary told him that she had posted it herself and as I was not in the office at the time of his call she asked him to let us know if it did not arrive and we would issue another cheque. We never received any further phone calls regarding this and the next thing we know the press are ringing our chairman for comment on the fact that our club has been reported to Rugby League .

I feel my honesty and integrity and that of the clubs has been bought into question. This Board of Directors has worked hard to get this club back on a sound financial footing and have a policy of transparency and honesty when dealing with creditors. This ‘accusation’ could very well put us on the back foot with those whom we have worked hard to build and maintain a professional business relationship.

As their press release stated they had not received payment I immediately issued another cheque and delivered it to their office myself. “

Dave Bowden, chairman of Workington Town RLFC, commented that “since I have been involved as chairman, any issues between the 2 clubs were resolved in a professional and amicable manner between the previous chairman Barry Richardson and me without any acrimonious statements being made through the media by either party. The facts of the situation do not justify the step taken by Des Byrne making statements to the media which question the professionalism of our club and its employees who have acted in a completely professional and business like manner. The action of Des Byrne certainly throws cold water on the giant steps made by both clubs in the recent past in terms of developing a more professional relationship with each other. We would be quite justified in thinking that this is a tactic aimed at trying to destabilise the relationship built between our board, the supporters, our sponsors and players – but believe me it will not happen. I would have expected Des to have rung me directly, man to man, before taking such a deliberate antagonistic approach to the situation. We cannot be held responsible for the non-delivery of mail and made every effort to keep the lines of communication open.
As far as we are concerned the issue is now closed. The money is now paid and we will get on with continuing the great progress we are making," added Bowden.



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