Bradford Bulls rivals Halifax and Swinton mired in problems

Not only are pair fighting relegation, but both are facing off-field turmoil, with Halifax in dire money trouble and Swinton’s head coach Alan Kilshaw facing a tribunal over shock allegations made by Widnes player Nick Gregson.

The Panthers, like Whitehaven, are simply fighting to survive at present, with interim chairman Lee Kenny posting this message on their official club website last night:

“I wish I could write to you under better circumstances, but as a club, and not for the first time in our history, we find ourselves facing a challenging financial situation.

“Despite the efforts of our shareholders and directors, who have invested nearly £700,000, the current financial environment means we urgently need additional donations or access to capital to ensure we continue to move forward.

"It’s been a perfect storm that’s brought us here.

“Several of our sponsor companies have gone into administration, some of the original consortium members are no longer able to contribute as they once did, and the general financial uncertainty in the country, combined with smaller crowds, has left a large hole in our budget.

“Just last week, we were expecting a six-figure boost to our income, only to see it withdrawn at the very last moment.

There was genuine hope for Halifax when they began their campaign with a friendly at Bulls on Christmas Eve 2023, but they have endured a nightmare few months. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

“As you’d expect from a professional club, our biggest expenses are payroll and taxation.

“We reached out to HMRC for an extension and time to pay, something that has been granted to other clubs recently, including ourselves in the past.

“However, instead of receiving this extension, we’ve been issued an official “order to pay” which is due early next week.

“If we are unable to meet this demand, the future of the club will be at immediate risk.

“This situation has also affected our ability to fully pay our dedicated players, coaching team, and staff this week.

“I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank them for their understanding and apologise for the delay.

“We are working hard to ensure the remainder of the payments are made next week.

“We’ve been reaching out to sponsors and friends of the club to raise funds through donations, sponsorships, or loans.

“While these discussions have been positive, we now find ourselves needing to ask for your help as well.

“This isn’t something we do lightly, but these are extraordinary times, and we must all come together to protect the future of Halifax Panthers.”

How you can help:

Sponsor: If you’re a business owner and would like to sponsor part of the club, our final two games, or even explore a long-term partnership, please get in touch at Future@HalifaxPanthers.co.uk.

Donate: If you’re in a position to make a donation, no matter how large or small, please email Future@HalifaxPanthers.co.uk. We will register your support and provide the best way for you to send it.

Loan: If you can loan the club £1,000 or more, please contact Future@HalifaxPanthers.co.uk, and one of our directors or staff will reach out to discuss terms with you.

Attend the Dewsbury Match: This Sunday, we face Dewsbury, and if we can bring an extra 1,000 supporters through the gates, it would raise over £15,000 for the club – a massive help. Tickets can be purchased here: https://ticketpass.org/event/ETLBFQ/halifax-panthers-v-dewsbury-rams.

Buy Golden Gamble Tickets: The more Golden Gamble tickets we sell, the bigger the prize and the more support we’ll generate for the club.

Meanwhile, Swinton and Kilshaw face an unwelcome tribunal on Wednesday, October 9, which is set just four days before the Championship and League 1 promotion/relegation play-off that the Lions could be involved in.

Kilshaw was subject to a formal complaint from the Vikings after Gregson alleged a photo of himself with a noose around his neck was put up in the Swinton dressing room prior to their Championship meeting in July.

Bulls went to Swinton in May and won, while play-off rivals Widnes went there in July and lost, but that latter game has now been marred by some extraordinary allegations made against Alan Kilshaw. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Gregson, a former Swinton player, took to social media to reveal the allegation, as well as claiming Kilshaw had been directing his players to specifically target his shoulder.

Gregson was injured in the game and has not played since.

The Rugby Football League subsequently appointed an independent investigator to look into the allegations, after Widnes lodged a complaint with the governing body.

Swinton refuted the allegations at the time in a statement but Love Rugby League have exclusively revealed the date for the tribunal.