The Championship champions expect to be liquidated in the near future unless urgent intervention comes in
Reigning English Championship title holder Jersey Reds have officially ceased trading and “liquidation appears inevitable unless a solution can be found in the very short term”.
After 11 years in England’s second flight competition, the club has today announced that they cannot continue amidst a backdrop of uncertainty in the English game. They have admitted to being unable to pay staff salaries for September, and they would be unable to complete their next fixture, against Cornish Pirates.
Jersey news a timely reminder that while we have the joyful distraction of a RWC, English rugby still has rich seams of misery to mine
— Alan Dymock (@AlanDymock) September 28, 2023
Jersey’s chairman Mark Morgan said: “We had been able to start the season and maintain sufficient funds to cover the summer, but regret that our conversations with potential new investors as well as existing ones have been unsuccessful.
“At one stage at the end of last season it appeared there was a viable way forward for the second tier once the new Professional Game Agreement was implemented from summer 2024, but Championship clubs have been left in the dark since that point and this led to a growing fatigue among those who may have invested, but could not be given any concrete assurance about when the new structure would come in, or how it would be funded.”
He concluded: “There are a large number of players, coaches and other members of staff who have made huge contributions to the club in recent seasons, and we regret that the massive effect this will have on all of them – it’s a very sad day.”
In 2022, Jersey made the decision to separate the professional arm of the club from the amateur side, Jersey RFC, “in order to safeguard the future of amateur rugby in Jersey.” If urgent help does not come in, in the short-term, the amateur side may be all that’s left.
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RFU statement on plight of Jersey Reds
“The RFU has been informed that Jersey Reds has taken the decision to cease trading following unsuccessful discussions with both existing and potential new investors. We, like their players, staff and supporters are deeply concerned by this news. The RFU is working with the Rugby Players Association to support the players.
“It is extremely disappointing that investors would take decisions at this early point in the season to place the club in such a position. Championship clubs had clear confirmation from the RFU on funding for the 2023/24 season and we have been working with the Championship and Premiership Rugby on the new Professional Game Partnership and shape of Premiership 2 with funding levels to be confirmed at the end of this calendar year. The Championship has been fully involved in these discussions since February which are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the professional game.
“This news will clearly impact the season for the Championship league and Premiership Rugby Cup competition, which was introduced this season as a way to offer a new format to supporters, bringing with it the experience of playing Premiership sides and the opportunity to welcome new fans into Championship clubs and assist them to grow new audiences.
“Further information on the impact of this to the Premiership Rugby Cup and Championship League season will follow.”
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