England centre Ollie Lawrence has released a statement amid the financial woes at Worcester Warriors.
The club are understood to be on the verge of administration following a winding-up petition over unpaid tax.
Warriors are owned by Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring, who are directors at EFL football club Morecambe.
The club first started their journey to try and become a force in English club rugby when former owner Cecil Duckworth got involved with the club in 1997. He injected the funds to engineer a first promotion to the Premiership under coach John Brain in 2004.
"Before anyone decides to state/complain that I’m slating the reputation of the people that pay our wages… I’m really not! They invested in the club & tried to “create change” so can’t fault that…" wrote Lawrence.
"But Cecil Duckworth created a legacy for this club, and that is close to being tarnished currently. There just comes a point where people’s careers / livelihoods / families are being affected. Which I believe that should be answered for…
"I have nothing but respect for the whole players and staff for continuing to pitch up everyday with all this uncertainty… The rumour mill will continue, but it’s above us now as to what happens, but for now we’ll crack on as a team and wait to see what unfolds…"
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WORCESTER'S FIVE HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS:
#5. Matt Kvesic
- Age: 30
- Position: Flanker
- Honours: England
#4. Fin Smith
- Age: 20
- Position: Fly-half
- Honours: England U20
Fin Smith of Worcester Warriors during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Worcester Warriors and Bristol Bears at Sixways Stadium, Worcester on 18 February 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Ollie Lawrence
- Age: 22
- Position: Centre
- Honours: England
Tom Hendrickson of Exeter Chiefs is tackled by Matt Kvesic of Worcester Warriors, Ollie Lawrence of Worcester Warriors and Justin Clegg of Worcester Warriors during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on 9 Oct 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#2. Ted Hill
- Age: 23
- Position: Flanker
- Honours: England
Ted Hill, Captain of Worcester Warriors on the break during the Gallagher Premiership rugby match between London Irish and Worcester Warriors at The Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford, London on March 14 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#1. Duhan van de Merwe
- Age: 27
- Position: Winger
- Honours: Scotland, British & Irish Lions
Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland slips the tackle from Maro Itoje of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship, 127th Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 6 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
