Jersey Reds: RFU boss Bill Sweeney says Union will support new investment

Jersey won the Championship title last season for the first time in their history

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney says the governing body will do all it can to help find new investors for Jersey Reds.

The Championship champions ceased trading last week after investors pulled out of the loss-making club.

Jersey politicians voted against a motion to fund the club, which could go into liquidation.

"It was a complete surprise, it wasn't a club that we had on any kind of risk register whatsoever," Sweeney said.

"Now the focus is ensuring we do whatever we can for the players, and if we can support in any way around any investor conversations or discussions then we will.

"But the next port of call is a discussion with Jersey's government."

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The island side say an investor pulled out after Jersey's government refused to give additional funding to the club - they had been given £370,000 in emergency grants over the summer from taxpayer funds.

"In May of this year we were talking to Jersey as a potential candidate for the European Challenge Cup given the reduction of teams in the Premiership," Sweeney added.

"We'd also heard from the senior coach at the club in the last conversation they'd had with management that things were looking optimistic and the feeling was they were going to kick on after their win in the Championship last season and prepare themselves for season 2025-26 and Premiership Two."

Sweeney says the RFU is giving legal and financial assistance to players and coaches affected by the collapse of Jersey Reds.

They are the fourth professional club to go bust in a year following Premiership sides Worcester, Wasps and London Irish.

"While we were all equally dismayed around the London Irish, Wasps and Worcester situation previously, we learned a lot coming out of that," he said.

"We're in close cooperation with the RPA (Rugby Players Association) and were immediately on the day of being notified of the cease of trading.

"The ideal outcome for this would be another investor coming in.

"We don't know the status on that yet, I know they're involved in talks and discussions, but we also know they're taking insolvency advice as well."