Otley Rugby Union Football Club chairman Paul Carter has confirmed that members have been asked to contribute a “small amount” towards the running of the club.

The figure is believed to be £200, and Carter said: “It isn’t to tide the club over until the end of the season.

“I took over as chairman last summer, so I am fairly new to the job, and we inherited a small amount of debt from last season.

“But we set player budgets for the season and we have kept to them and we can maintain those payments until the end of the season.

“The money from members, and it is only a small contribution, is to help the club through the summer months.”

Carter added: “We are not in bad shape and we have already had a strong response from members.

“We sent out letters to them before Christmas and have had an information meeting a couple of weeks ago.”

The next members’ information meeting is in the clubhouse on Thursday, February 11 (7.30), where the situation on and off the field will be explained.

The committee will then take part in a question-and-answer session.

Fourth-from-bottom Otley had an excellent 87-3 victory at home to Manchester last Saturday, and will be hoping to build on that on Saturday.

They visit Sedgley Park, who are one place and one point better off in National League One, although the Mancunians have played a game less.