Miller loses several players as Doncaster go into administration in bid to survive

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated:

Co-operative Championship club Doncaster have gone into administration in an
attempt to find new owners.

Tony Miller,

Hard job: Doncaster coach Tony Miller

Directors of the south Yorkshire club have turned to insolvency experts in a last-ditch bid to stave off the threat of liquidation, with debts thought to be around £80,000.

Dave Marshall, the club's chief executive, said: 'Like many other professional
sporting clubs across the country, the current economic downturn has affected the income of the club.

'We have taken steps to reduce our overheads and have looked to secure income
from others sources. Unfortunately, these have not been sufficient to turn the club around.'

Administrator Jeremy Bleazard said: 'Administration will give the club a lifeline until a buyer can be found and this has been done in the best interests of Doncaster RLFC.

'The cash flow for the club is extremely tight and the company needs an injection of funds so we would urge any potential investors or buyers to come forward as soon as possible.'

The club will suffer a points deduction after breaching the Rugby Football League's insolvency regulations but that seems to be the least of their worries as players continue to leave the cash-strapped club.

So far Andreas Bauer (Barrow), Ross Divorty and Kyle Briggs (both Featherstone), Michael Haley and Peter Green (both Sheffield) and Paul Handforth (Batley) have found new clubs.

Meanwhile centre Mike Coady, a 22-year-old rugby union convert, is thought to be interesting Super League champions Leeds.

FEATHERSTONE came from 12-6 down against Championship I club Oldham to become the first team to reach the semi-finals of the Northern Rail Cup with a 32-18 win.

Tries from three-quarters Andy Ballard and Danny Halliwell, both converted by
Ballard, put Oldham 12-10 ahead at half-time but Rovers hit an 18-point purple patch at the start of the second half to seize control of the first quarter-final, which was played at the Leigh Sporting Village.

Joe Hirst, Jon Steel and Matty Dale all touched down in a devestating 10-minute spell and captain Stuart Dickens added all three conversions to extend his side's lead to an unassailable 28-12.

Lee Greenwood gave Oldham brief hope with a 55th-minute try but Featherstone,
who lost loose forward Jamie Field with a dislocated shoulder, finished things off with Andy Kirk's 67th-minute try.
 


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