Fans dig deep to help fund Pirates testing

AN “overwhelming” response from rugby supporters to help Cornish Pirates meet the cost of Covid-testing and return to action has seen their appeal pass the £24,000 mark in the first week.

Chief executive officer Rebecca Thomas launched the Pledge4Pirates appeal with the club facing a testing bill of more than £100,000 to fulfil their Championship fixtures.

The response from fans in Cornwall and beyond will help soften the blow of losing a potentially bumper opening day crowd when Saracens visit the Mennaye Field on March 6 for the first league match since being relegated from the Premiership for salary cap breaches.

The amount donated so far was described as “overwhelming” by Thomas who instigated the appeal after negotiations with Sport England under the Sport Winter Survival Package produced a loan to the club rather than a hoped-for government grant.

Describing the club’s loss of income while spectators are unable to attend matches as “huge”, Thomas said: “With no grant available to help subsidise the additional Covid-related costs of testing and operational requirements, the club is left to face these costs over and above planned budgets.

“Testing alone is expected to be in excess of £100,000 and the club has been unable to generate any significant income stream for nearly 12 months.

“The support received to date has been overwhelming with donations and merchandise purchases helping us offset some of our ongoing costs to keep the playing squad together.

“Our supporters have always been at the heart of this and we are proud to be part of the huge Pirates family that exists not just in Cornwall but across the country – and indeed the world.”

Pirates will be facing the formidable challenge of Sarries without prop Marlen Walker and scrumhalf Alex Schwartz, who recently joined Wasps as short-term injury cover.