THE days are now running out for Worcester Warriors as further developments on Friday produced new fears for all involved. 

Friday was payday at the club but, as was the case in the past two months, the deadline was not met. 

Some staff are still waiting for any payment from August whilst most were only paid 65% and now decisions will have to be made as livelihoods stand to be at stake.

Due to the late payment, staff, players and coaches have the ability to hand in their 14-day notice to leave the club, although another two week period will be required after that before anyone can officially depart. 

But it was later confirmed on Friday that players and rugby staff remain under contract, despite administration, as the company that employs them (WRFC Players Limited) is separate to the one that was placed in administration on Monday (WRFC Trading Limited). 

It gets more complicated, however, as the winding up petition issued in August is due in court next Wednesday (October 5) for the company that employs the players; WRFC Players Limited. 

Should that company be liquidated, players and staff would be effectively made redundant and would be without a contract.

Administrators Begbies Traynor, continue to try and find a solution for the club and on friday they released the following statement: "Julie Palmer, Julian Pitts and Andrew Hook of Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators over WRFC Trading Ltd. In addition, they were appointed as Receivers over Sixways Stadium.

"WRFC Players Ltd is a subsidiary of WRFC Trading Limited. Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP have not been instructed to advise WRFC Players Ltd. To the extent that employees of the club have a contract of employment with WRFC Trading Limited we will engage with them directly as to next steps.

"Rugby players and other staff members are employed by WRFC Players Limited which is not subject to insolvency proceedings but has been served with a winding up petition from HMRC. The hearing date is on 5 October 2022. 
 

"We recognise that this situation may be difficult to understand for those involved but where we are able to we will provide further information to the employees of both WRFC Trading Ltd and WRFC Players Ltd affected by this situation."

So what was originally thought as 14 days for the administrators, club owners and potential buyers to agree on a deal, it could now be as short as five days. 

There is a possibility the Warriors' owners ask for an adjournment in court, which would allow an extra 14 days to try and thrash out a deal to save the club.