Hull FC have welcomed the announcement that the sport will receive a £16 million cash injection as they continue respond to the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19.
The Black & Whites hierarchy recently addressed supporters with an open statement which highlighted that financial support was urgently needed if the club and the sport was to remain stable and sustainable.
You can read the full statement here
Since then, the Government have confirmed a multi-million emergency loan fund has been created to safeguard the immediate future of the sport and the communities it so valuably serves.
The fund will be spread across all clubs in England to help address the extreme financial impact of the ongoing suspension to the season due to the coronavirus outbreak, as well as helping maintain the ongoing work of the Rugby Football League and Super League.
Local MPs Karl Turner and Emma Hardy have also been heavily involved in campaigning for support alongside the hard work of the Rugby Football League, with input from various clubs and stakeholders.
Hull FC’s Chief Executive, James Clark, said: “This is welcome and encouraging news, which will offer clubs like ourselves some immediate and much needed respite as we continue to analyse and prepare for the long-term implications of COVID-19.
“Our sport will be redefined over the coming months and years and our club remains in a fight for survival, but this is a real boost which will hopefully allow us to maintain our core business operation and safeguard jobs.
“This support speaks volumes for our sport, our clubs and the communities and fan base we serve and the respect therein from those outside of our sport at the highest level.
“It is what sets Rugby League apart from the rest and reflects the community values we hold so dear, as well as demonstrating the impact we can have when we pull together as a sport.”
He continued, “We may not be the wealthiest sport, but we are rich in the things that matter the most, as has been demonstrated by the many great stories emanating from the game during this crisis over the last few weeks.
“As a club, we would like to commend the Rugby Football League for the way they have handled this campaign for support, as well as the invaluable support of Karl Turner and Emma Hardy in recent weeks.”
The reality is that Hull FC will still continue to face a number of practical and financial challenges of the coming months despite this Government support, with still no formal decision on when the Super League season can return.
Reflecting on the direct impact on Hull FC and the immediate challenges for the club, Clark added:
“We remain upbeat, but we’re certainly still not out of the woods yet, we have a long, long way to go,” he explained.
“The government support is absolutely critical to our short-term future, but beyond that we face many challenges and continued uncertainty.
“We must continue embrace the fantastic and committed support we’re receiving from our members and corporate partners which we continue to need now more than ever, whilst exploring all other avenues available to us.
“We face one of the biggest battles in the history of our club and our sport, but is today is encouraging.”
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