ROTHERHAM UNITED FC GIVEN ‘EXTRA TIME’ DURING FINANCIAL CRISIS

The League One were handed a brief respite by its supporters that allowed it to survive financially through the end of March, after the club announced earlier this year that it was losing GBP 140,000 a week. The club – which does not own its home stadium, Millmoor – said that because it held few assets, it was facing receivership rather than administration.

After a majority vote by Rotherham United Supporters (RUST), the group credited the club’s bank account with GBP 60,000. The funds would allow the club’s officials to continue their search for investors and money in order to avoid bankruptcy.

“Time is short but is a precious commodity in the club's current situation and it means there will be more time,” said Mark Thomas, acting chairman of the trust in the absence of Craig Saunderson. “It means a little longer for discussions to continue with interested parties and that is important. It's a bit longer for a rescue plan to be put together. I believe there are people with a genuine and very real desire to save the club. We at RUST have been involved in discussions about our own plans but I cannot say anything further because of the need to preserve confidentiality.”

The club has recently held meetings with the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and members of the players’ union, which have helped financially troubled clubs in the past in order to ensure players are paid.

More importantly, the club has met with local officials and potential investors in the club.

In a statement on the club’s website last month, Vice Chairman David Veal said: “The battle to save the club goes on.” He went on to say: “Some of the meetings will be followed up next week as we work with our advisors to find a solution to save the club.”