Sir Bill Beaumont is back to lead team focusing on future of Fylde RFC

We reported last week that his son Josh, the Sale Sharks forward, was using his business credentials to help the club’s commercial and sponsorship activities as its traditional income streams dry up during the pandemic.

And now Sir Bill, the chairman of World Rugby and Fylde RFC’s most famous player, is using his expertise and influence to serve the only club he played for in these most challenging of times.

Club chairman Mike Brennand told The Gazette: “Sir Bill has volunteered and is now leading a team looking at options and alternatives. He is heavily involved in what’s going on.

“Bill’s team are looking at all options and talking to people. He opens doors and people will talk to him, and it’s about creating all the options and opportunities we can.

“What we are doing, most importantly, is exploring things. We want people energised and we are making things happen at the club as best we can.”

With the Woodlands clubhouse again closed under tier three coronavirus restrictions and competitive rugby ruled out until 2021, Brennand has written to members stressing that their support is more vital than ever.

That letter stated that in assessing all options the club had to consider relocation from its century-old Ansdell base and radical changes to the uses of the site.

Brennand added: “In any business it is essential to have a contingency plan for every eventuality. None of our members want to move, I know that, but if the financial model doesn’t work we have to consider other options.

“Now we don’t have a bar at all, and it’s a major ongoing challenge for us and for all clubs. We have battened down the hatches and, like every other food and beverages-based business, things are very tough.

“Utilising the site in a better way will be looked at, and if there are opportunities to use space we have for new facilities to introduce extra sources of income, we have to look into that.

“We are making every effort to secure all the funding we can and we have had a great response, which makes us really optimistic.”

Meanwhile, the senior squad continue to train and mini-juniors sessions are taking place.

Brennand said of mini-juniors chairman Ben Curran: “Ben has done so much good work in making sure our standards and protocols adhere to what is required. He is doing a fantastic job.”