CECIL Duckworth revealed owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham are receiving financial support from “various investors” to boost Worcester Warriors.

Goldring and Whittingham will jointly run the Gallagher Premiership outfit after Jed McCrory relinquished his role from the executive board.

Duckworth confirmed Errol Pope, the primary funder behind the consortium led by McCrory that took over Warriors last October, had also “stood down”.

MCCRORY DEPARTS AS DUO TAKE ON JOINT OWNERSHIP

However, Duckworth is confident the club will be in safe hands with Goldring and Whittingham, who also own Morecambe FC, at the helm.

The long-time benefactor, now life president, said the losses Warriors incurred in the 2018-19 season were “considerably” lower than the previous campaign.

“I am very impressed with Colin and Jason,” Duckworth said.

“I think they have got vision and the financial support through their various investors.”

Cash inflow amounting to £8.2million has gone into Warriors from private equity firm CVC Capital Partners which secured a 27 per cent stake in Premiership Rugby earlier this year.

“We have the benefit in the short-term of the CVC money which will be able to accelerate their plans so it is all good news,” Duckworth continued.

“There is clarity now on the ownership. Who the club would be sold to created uncertainty.

“That has not been the case now for some time although it is now even clearer on the way forward.

Asked whether Goldring and Whittingham were in it for the long-haul, Duckworth said: “Very much so. They are very enthusiastic.

“They like the club, the area and are here every week. It is good to have them involved in every aspect of the club.

“They are going a great job.

“They have the confidence of their investors so all is looking very good.”

Earlier this month Warriors reported a pre-tax loss of £5.8million for the 2017-18 season when the club was still up for sale.

But Duckworth said: “The loss this year is considerably down.

“With what they are doing and introducing now will benefit the club and reduce that over the next year or two to break even and then who knows.

“Some of the expenditure we had is not necessarily to spend again so there will be considerable savings on what Colin and Jason have introduced and we have had a better season.

“The non-rugby season is going well so that should be considerably reduced.

“Some of the losses are in capital. It is arguable that some of those expenses weren’t really necessary and there had been some duplication there.

“That is now not going ahead so we have more control over what we spend.”

A year after being put on the market by Sixways Holdings Limited the club was bought by McCrory’s consortium.

The former Swindon Town chairman decided to leave the club to take on a role working with Redditch Borough Council-owned Rubicon Leisure.

“Sixways Holdings wanted to move on so it was very important that happened and Jed was instrumental in putting together (the consortium),” Duckworth said.

“He has now decided that he has other plans.”

Asked whether financial specialist Pope would still be backing the club, Duckworth added: “No, Errol has stood down too. He is not involved.”