Halifax face exodus after asking players to accept wage cuts

Crisis-torn Halifax have made nine back-room staff redundant and face a major exodus of their players after revealing the extent of their financial problems.

The advisory board running the club have discovered that its debts are nearing £700,000 and yesterday took drastic action. There are now only two administrative staff left – taking them below the minimum staffing levels for membership of Super League – and some players have been asked to accept swingeing pay cuts.

"I've been given a budget and I'm trying to work within it," said the Halifax coach, Tony Anderson, who was appointed only last month. "I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't believed the club was salvageable. I didn't know the extent of the problems, but I was told on Sunday night and given the chance to walk away. I said no, because I want to help to save this club.

"Every player was seen individually and some were asked to take a pay cut and some weren't. Of those who were, some will stay and some will go."

Several players are already linked with prospective new clubs, like Andrew Dunemann with Leeds and Castleford and Stuart Donlan with St Helens and Bradford.

Anderson said that voluntary demotion from Super League had never been considered, but Super League's own rules say that a club that goes into liquidation forfeits its membership. That could represent a lifeline for Wakefield and Salford, who are vying with each other to avoid relegation. Anderson was also adamant that Halifax will field a side in their final fixture of the season at Widnes on Sunday, despite rumours of a players' strike. The game will be the last for the veteran centre, Dave Woods, who had hoped to play another season at Halifax but will now retire.

"We have made a pact that we will send him out on a high," Anderson said. "It is not an easy situation to come into as a new coach, but if anyone's prepared for it, I am. We had to do something similar when I was assistant at Hull – and look where they are now. In four or five years, that could be Halifax."

Widnes' Troy Stone will miss the Halifax match and will have played his last game, unless his club qualifies for the play-offs, after being suspended for one match for punching. Leigh's Vila Matautia has been banned for two games for fighting, but his team-mate, Adam Bristow, has had his suspension halved to one match. Both will miss the play-off against Huddersfield on Sunday.

Chris Causey of Chorley has been suspended until the end of next March for use of the elbow. Ben Walker has been recalled to Leeds' team to play Wigan tomorrow night, with the 17-year-old forward, Nick Scruton, in line to make his debut from the bench.