Last updated 16:03, Friday, 31 October 2008

IF leadership starts from the top, as it should, then Whitehaven RLFC will be facing another crossroad between now and the start of the 2009 season.

The question is whether the two men who have done more than most to pull the club out of the financial mire in 2008 will be sticking around to enjoy better days.

Club chairman Gordon Grace, for one, seems pretty adamant that he’ll be going.

Mr Grace said when he took over the reins that it was for one season only and – and he’s not for turning.

A great pity but the reality is that despite the rescue package several months ago the financial situation still isn’t great.

Businessman Mike Graham, whose marketing director role covers a multitude, has been part and parcel of two successful rescue bids, the first in 1992, but life is hectic.

Both men are shrewd operators and,with more than a little help from Barry Richardson, who has been on and off the board, they’ve managed to keep Haven’s head above water.

Barry, no longer a director, is still involved behind the scenes while Phil Clarkin, another local businessman, looks after admin with Chris McMellon, doing the job of company secretary from his base in Cornwall.

Latest development is that one woman is about to be replaced by another at board level – Julie Crellin, Copeland Council’s new head of finance, is replacing Georgina Ayling. Julie will keep a close eye on the local authority’s substantial financial interests!

Retired Royal Navy commandeer Gordon Grace describes Mike Graham as his chief lieutenant.

For them next February is the key, for then they will have completed 12 months in very hot seats.

My hope and anyone else with the club’s best interests at heart, is that both will carry on, if one stays the other might, and vice versa.

When I put the question directly to Mr Grace the answer was decidedly ‘No – it’s been a year out of my life and it’s been a hard job, very challenging to say the least...full of emotion from despair to elation.”

Come what may next Feb-ruary when I asked wheth-er he hoped to be handing over the ship in a far more buoyant financial situation, Mr Grace said bluntly: “No, not at the minute.”

Desperate was one word he used. “Everybody has to realise it’s always been a precarious position to be in, things come out of the woodwork and they’re biting.”

It seems to be that a lot rests on a series of meetings which Grace & Co have lined up with what could best be called the club’s partners.

It’s all down to finding the ways and means of putting a lot more day to day cash into New Recre coffers.

I say “New Recre” beca-use we still live in hopes (positively) of that long term lease being finally agreed with the Miners Welfare, owners of the ground, so that funding can be released from the regen-eration movers and shakers for a new stadium to take shape. No bulldozers or Japanese knotweed will be moved till then because it’s all about security of tenure.

So by February, say, will everything be signed, sealed and delivered, especially if there is to be a change in command?

That’s the hope at least but I don’t expect any member of the board to put their money on it!

The chairman refers to “path clearing” which involves everyone with an interest in Whitehaven rugby league club.

One pretty influential figure who I do know has a keen interest is another ex-Naval man, this time from across the pond – Steve Morgan, who is all set to leave Sellafield in the big change-over about to take place.

Retired Rear Admiral Morgan has been the brains behind Sellafield’s massive commercial and contracts empire, which in the last couple of years has saved £200 million for the plant. On both sides of the Atlantic, the American business guru has made and saved lots of money for whoever he’s worked and rubbed shoulders with a few US presidents.

In his Sellafield capacity, Steve has already unlocked £500,000 earmarked for the new Recre grandstand but in my interview this week he stressed it had to be part of the overall Pow Beck development.

Little wonder Grace has made an offer for Morgan to consider joining the board – much depends on whether Steve himself sticks around after leaving the nuclear plant but if he does there might be a fair chance of him being piped aboard!

Good to see no fewer than three ex-Haven favourites – John Duffy, Olly Wilkes and Mick Nanyn – all playing for Scotland in their World Cup pipeopener. Another, Ryan Tandy, has appeared for Ireland, but wouldn’t it be great for Copeland pride if Rob Purdham could get an England call up, but he’s having to watch Sunday’s big clash against the superb Aussies from the sidelines.