FLOOD-hit Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club have admitted they are close to running out of money.

The Bees have been hit three times in the past two months and rugby secretary Nick Patterson confessed: "We only received about 20 per cent of our expected income in December and have incurred more than we expected in expenditure.

"We are very close to running out of money – but we have formed a 'just giving' appeal which has already received £3,200 in donations.

"Others have paid money straight into our bank account and we have some very understanding suppliers who have allowed us to defer payments. Hopefully we will just scrape through."

Rugby chairman Martin Whitcombe added: "This money could be the difference between us continuing to operate and not.

"Being near to the River Aire, we cannot get insurance and we will have to pay for everything ourselves.

"The response has been phenomenal and the generosity of the rugby community at large never ceases to amaze me.

"We have had donations from all over the place, including a guy from Northern Ireland."

Whitcombe, whose front room at Oxenhope has also flooded, paid tribute to Keighley Cougars and, particularly, their head coach Paul March.

"The damage to my house is nothing compared to what has happened to people in Bingley," said the former prop.

"We have been training at Cougars for three weeks now and it feels like a second home.

"They haven't asked us for anything, other than to roll the pitch, and we are incredibly grateful. I think the seeds are there for a rugby partnership in the future."

The link to Bradford & Bingley's 'just giving' appeal is: https://www.gofundme.com/26gq2wck.

There is a working party and fund-raiser at Wagon Lane today (10am and 1pm) as the clean-up operation continues.

First-team manager Benji Pickin said: "The working party will mainly concentrate on clearing the ground of debris, so please bring gloves, shovels and wheelbarrows if you have them.

"Please try and turn up for one of these two times, make your way to the clubhouse and you will be directed to your work station.

"Afterwards there will be a party/fundraiser in the clubhouse.

"Please come down and support your club. If you can't spare the time, you can still donate via our fund-raising site.

"Once again, thank you very much for your continued support in our hour of need."