OLD Otliensians chairman, Ben Featherstone, believes his club are prepared financially to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

Unlike most clubs at level eight, Ensians don't have any paid staff with them relying on the use of volunteers instead, which means the only costs they have to worry about is the ones that keep the club afloat.

Earlier in the month, the Rugby Football Union brought a curtain down on their community game by using a formula based around home and away records to decide the final positions in the various leagues.

Before the campaign was halted Otliensians were seventh in Yorkshire Three with a couple of games in hand, however, they ended up finishing fifth after the system was implemented on 82.55 points.

Featherstone thinks the Otley-based side are in good hands to battle the financial implications that may occur during these unprecedented times.

He said:"We are different to many clubs around us in a sense that all of our staff are volunteers and the players pay to play.

"We have not got other finances to pay on top of our utilities bills, which we are ok to cover.

"We are not having to pay out wages to players or staff. It is sad if any club has to fold due to this scenario. We are confident that we will be fine.

"Gordon (Longfellow), our treasurer, is on top of looking after the finances, clearly it is going to take a hit like everything else, but we believe we are strong enough to bounce back when rugby is safe enough to restart."

Overall, the Ensians chairman was satisfied with the season and pleased that the RFU drew a conclusion too it, instead of what has happened in grassroots football where the campaign has been voided.

He added: "It is what we hoped for because we believe if we had of completed the season we would have moved up the table. These things cant be helped and it was taken out of our hands.

"The main thing for us was to make sure the season was brought to a close rather than scrapping it.

"The teams who have been promoted, have done that on merit. We believe the RFU have come to a sensible decision.

"For us, it just means the lads have gained something. Yes, we finished fifth which doesn’t mean anything changes in terms of our league structure, but they know what they have done throughout the year has been worth it.

"With rugby you are putting your bodies on the line so for them it feels like they have earned something that they can build on next year.

"It has been a big learning curve this year we have suffered a lot with injuries. We have had to give our colts and junior players games which is good for them. I don’t think we had enough to get promoted."

Otliensians are on the search for a new head coach for the 2020/21 campaign after managerial duo Stephen Quinn and Harrison Marshall stepped down for their roles.

Featherstone is hoping him and his committee can find the correct replacement to try get the club fighting for promotion next term.

He added: "We are advertising for a new head coach so hopeful he will bring some new ideas and maybe players to the squad.

"With us not having contracted players until pre season starts we don’t know what we have got.

"We would always back ourselves (to gain promotion). It is about keeping players fit and seeing if we can recruit a few more."