Whitehaven RL have launched an appeal to help save the club as it faces a shortfall of £60,000 to finish the season.

The club runs the risk of going out of business if the five-figure sum cannot be found.

Directors are calling out to fans, the general public and businesses to step forward and donate cash to avoid losing semi-professional rugby league in the town.

Chairman Tommy Todd said: "The club finds itself in a position where we are some £60k short on our budget for the remainder of the season.

"This is due to the loss of our main sponsor and lack of other significant sponsors over the last two years.

"Coupled to this have been rising costs, falling attendances and more than a 50 per cent drop in central distribution from the RFL. Clearly this cannot continue.

"Over the past three seasons the board have funded this shortfall (in the region of £275k) but again this cannot continue.

"We are now at the stage where we have to appeal to you the fans, general public and businesses to come forward and get behind the club. We all genuinely need to help to save the club."

Mr Todd added that the club was in talks with a new potential investor ahead of the 2019 season.

He said he was excited about future plans but hoped that loyal supporters and businesses would help them out in the short term.

He added: "In the first instance individuals and businesses can simply donate a cash sum of money to the club.

"Several kind individuals have already provided financial donations and we can’t thank those people enough.

"Alongside the above we have come up with a very generous offer to individuals who would like to invest £250."

For this investment you would receive one adult and one child's season ticket for the remainder of the 2018 season, plus one adult and one child's season tickets for the 2019 season and a seat in the Sponsors Lounge for a game of your choice.

"We therefore need 240 people and or businesses to come forward," admitted Mr Todd.

"A positive response to this appeal will have a significant effect on our ongoing dialogue with a major new investor who is willing to commit to a three year plan commencing 2019.

"Their plans to expand the club are the most exciting we have heard in a long time."

The Whitehaven board are asking as many people as possible to go down to the JJ McKeown Bar at the Recreation Ground tomorrow at 6pm.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie and Trudy Harrison MP have endorsed the club's campaign.

Mrs Harrison said: "The club is more than a rugby team and venue, they also provide a space for school’s sports days, police dog training, amateur rugby games and for summer programmes including National Citizen Service.

"These facilities are appreciated by so many, and I hope the community can come together to ensure support and a secure future."

Elected Mayor Mike Starkie added: "Hopefully local businesses can rally around to support WRLFC as they try to raise the £60,000 they need to see the season out, at which time it would appear there are investors lined up to take the club forward and maintain professional rugby league in Copeland.

"This area is a real heartland of rugby league, with four of the country’s top amateur teams (Millom, Egremont Rangers, Wath Brow Hornets and Kells) competing in the National Conference.

"It would be terrible if professional rugby league was to cease to exist.

"What should be happening is that ambitious plans should be hatched to bring Super League competition to the town to complement our rugby league heritage.

"There are many companies operating in the borough and it would be a tremendous boost if they could get involved by way of sponsorship in supporting the club, helping to make it financially sustainable with ambitions and plans to achieve its potential.

"It was not too long ago Whitehaven beat Castleford to the Championship with a fantastic victory in front of a big crowd. Last year, Castleford finished top of Super League which demonstrates what can and could be achieved at Whitehaven."