Leeds start search for £1m backing to boost European ambitions

Yorkshire's leading rugby union club are seeking an additional 1m in funds to plough into next season's playing budget.

If they get it, head coach Neil Back is guaranteeing a top-six finish and qualification for Europe's premier club competition.

Leeds avoided relegation from the Premiership 10 days ago with victory over Worcester, an outcome that triggered an extra 1m in funding from Premier Rugby for next season.

However, that money needs to be used for running costs and to service a budget deficit of 1.2m from the current season, which is the result of an 800,000 increase in players' salaries.

That gamble to improve their chances of survival has paid off, but has left the club with a debt for the first time in their existence.

If they do not succeed in attracting a new financial partner, Leeds will use the increased central funding to make up the budget deficit and have reassured fans that they will continue to be sustainable thanks to regular income from The Caddick Group, Leeds Metropolitan University and other revenue streams.

However, it will leave them with the same playing budget as this season – 2.8m as opposed to the 4m ceiling their Premiership rivals meet on salaries – and would almost certainly mean another battle against relegation in 2010-11.

The financial rewards on offer in the Heineken Cup since the club's one and only foray into the competition seven years ago have nearly doubled.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington says qualification for Europe's premier club competition would generate increased revenue streams from ticketing, hospitality, sponsorship and merchandise, and would ensure that any extra financial backing for next season would not become an annual commitment. But for Leeds to reach that level again, attracting investment this summer is crucial.

Hetherington said: "Ownership is not precious to us; our primary aim is and has always been, to build a sustainable business and a team for Yorkshire to be proud of.

"We are seeking individuals, companies or a consortium who have a genuine interest and an ability to make a difference, to come forward.

"In the past The Caddick Group have provided significant funds and they remain key sponsors going forward. Leeds Met's contribution has taken us to where we are now and they remain a major partner. We just need to find some more to take us to the next level."

Back, who along with director of rugby Andy Key has achieved promotion and survival in his first two seasons at the club, is confident that a 1m playing budget boost in addition to the Premier Rugby windfall would enable the coaching duo to build a squad capable of achieving a top-six finish next term.

Back said: "We believe that with the same budget for next season we can maintain our Premiership status again, but there is now an opportunity to move forward quickly.

"Andy and I came here believing that the people of Yorkshire wanted a top Premiership club to support.

"We are two years into our three-year plan and very much on track, but to achieve our year three objective we need extra support.

"Another 1m added to the rugby budget will deliver us a top-six Premiership team for next season and a place in the Heineken Cup for the 2011-12 season - that I can promise."

Newcastle Falcons, who like Leeds only recently cemented their Premiership status, yesterday sacked director of rugby Steve Bates.