FOUR veteran Whitehaven RL club directors have quit the Board. They are the "old guard" of ex-chairman Des Byrne, Ken Shepherd, Ron Batty, and Dave Farrell.

The resignations were revealed in a guarded official statement which read: "The club will make no comments on fiancial matters other than those that have already been stated until the 2007 accounts are completed.

"There will be as soon as practicable an annual general meeting where the accounts can be discussed in an open and transparent manner. Dirctors can then be appointed and a positive way forward can be proposed."

In the meantime, Haven will operate with a caretaker Board of chairman Gordon Grace, Barry Richardson and Mike Graham who were appointed two weeks ago. Gordon Grace gave credit to the directors who have resigned for the team's on-field achievements, adding: "We have a great coach, a tremendous set of committed and professional players combined with the best supporters in rugby league. It is now time for everyone to pull together for the best interests of Whitehaven RLFC."

The exact state of club finances is not yet known, as the new board
is awaiting the latest accounts. But it is believed that Haven's financial situation needs attention. And respected former chairman Barry Richardson, credited by many as the architect behind the club's transformation in to the game's leading part-time club, also returns to the board, to take charge of all financial matters.

Grace, 60, paid tribute to the work of the departing chairman, who will remain a club director, and stated his intent to place Haven on a more stable financial footing. "Finances are very tight in rugby league and Whitehaven is no exception,"said Grace, who, after leaving the Navy, went on to senior management roles with Marconi Simulation, the UK paper industry and more recently in launching GEN II Engineering and Training at Cleator Moor.

Along with my colleagues we intend to urgently review and address our financial difficulties and develop new income streams.

Retailer Billy Rudd, another well-known sponsor, who holds the club's merchandising contract, will be director of rugby.

He will manage all coaching, playing and medical staff, take charge of player-contract negotiations, developing and delivering community programmes, and attracting fresh backers for team clothing and club merchandise.

And a fourth new face on the board, former Tory leader on Copeland Council Mike Graham, has been appointed as hospitality director.Every director will have a well-defined area of responsibility under the new regime. Each will be accountable for the budget allocated to his area and these will be reported and monitored monthly. Board meetings will switch to monthly from weekly. A statement of progress will also be required from each director on a monthly basis in advance of the board meeting.

Grace, who is now retired from business, will also be in charge of deciding future strategy, sponsor-liaison, ground development and legal issues. As commercial director, George Rowlandson, former vice-chairman, will lead the search for new business and income streams.

Ron Batty, another huge club sponsor through his firm B & H Motors, will spearhead all club social events, while Kenny Shepherd will be in charge of ground maintenance and safety issues, in addition to having a major match-day role. Dave Farrell, as business support director, will assist with the reserve-grade side, service website and IT needs and prepare all club documentation.

Director John Reed has stepped down from the board. No vice-chairman has yet been appointed. In March 2007 Haven director Phillip Barwise stepped down from the board due to new business commitments.