Hard work still ahead, insists Hull KR owner

Since the start of coronavirus, he has stated his fear that the pandemic could ruin clubs and see them go out of business.

Rugby league has been shutdown since mid-March and, with no income, clubs have needed to access the Government’s furlough scheme and put in place pay cuts to save crippling costs.

The Rugby Football League has secured a £16m Government loan to aid the sport but Hudgell remains worried.

Looking at his own club’s future, he said: “I’m only focussed on a safe path to the end of 2020.

“Beyond that who knows; we can only plan on a worst case scenario which presently looks very frightening.

“We are lucky to have an incredibly loyal and supportive core, but even for them there are limits.

“And I need to keep restating the position as I get a whiff of complacency setting in in parts of the game.

“As far as I can see the hard work on maintaining sustainability is yet to be done.”

Rovers’ loyal fans have always stood by their club, famously turning up in big numbers when they were relegated in 2016, offering crucial support that helped them make an immediate return.

Hudgell has the Robins’ financial plans set out for next year although he realises that could alter at any moment given the fragile landscape left by the pandemic.

“I will deliver a costs neutral 2021 budget, but it might make some very painful reading,” said the chairman, who was one of hundreds of mourners who lined the streets of East Hull for the funeral procession of former player Jordan Cox on Friday.

“The picture though changes daily and I’ll hope for the best whilst planning for the worst,” he said.

“At the very least I suspect we will be forced down a path of accelerating local talent perhaps before they’re ready, but we’ll see as things unfold.

“It might actually afford us a chance to break that vicious circle.”

Super League clubs have discussed hopefully restarting the season in mid-August but he will not comment on the various fixture models published last week – “another leak from around the board table, which speaks for itself” – and instead simply insisted: “I want us back playing as soon as is safe but not before.

“Everyone’s health is the number one priority.”

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