STAFF at a North-East rugby club have spoken of their anger after it was announced the club would be run by volunteers.

The Northern Echo previously reported that Darlington Rugby Club had decided to become a wholly amateur operation, with the news coming shortly after plans were officially submitted for a ground-share with Darlington Football Club at its Blackwell Meadows base.

The report stated that one-full time member of staff has been made redundant, along with a number of casual bar staff.

Staff affected by the changes have disputed those figures and last night (Wednesday, January 7) chairman of Darlington RFC, Mike Wilkinson, confirmed that several members of staff, both full-time and casual have been affected.

Following the announcement, a number of staff and members of the club contacted The Northern Echo voicing concerns over the handling of the move and treatment of staff.

The club’s assistant manager, Martin Battye, who has been made redundant, said: “We were made redundant with no notice whatsoever. I am quite angry about it. It was my livelihood, I have got a family to keep.

“We have been treated really badly and it is just not on. They won’t give us the time of day; they are not bothered about us at all.”

Wendy Thompson, manager of Blackwell Meadows, has been laid off until further notice after working at the club for 13 years.

Her son and the club’s groundsman, Dillan Thompson, has also lost his job.

“They gave no notice – they got handed letters and told to leave,” she said.

“I am sat in limbo. We have been really unfairly treated. It has been a massive part of my life for 13 years.

“They are trying to run the club on volunteers. They told us our jobs were redundant, but the work is still there – they’re just using volunteers.”

Mr Wilkinson, added: “It is regrettable when a number of members of paid employees are stood down and we do regret that.

“However we have just changed the club so we are reducing our costs accordingly. We will still provide sport and social facilities.

“We are following the guidelines as laid down by employment law and ACAS and will continue to do so.”