Canterbury Rugby Club say it is with huge regret that they have had to release head of rugby Andy Pratt.

He, along with administrator Candy Clark, have been released because of the “devastating effect on the income of the club” brought about due to the Covid-19 crisis.

A premature end to the rugby season meant Canterbury had to cancel several fundraising events, losing them significant potential income. It led the club to claim that they may go bankrupt because of it.

A crowdfunding campaign raised over £10,000 but the club have now been forced to lose two of their personnel, including full-time head coach Pratt.

Chairman Giles Hilton announced the departures and said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the income of the club. We have lost revenues from the end of last season and all of the social events around it, and we are facing a challenging future with reduction of sponsorship and other revenues at the start of our new financial year.

“This virus has forced us all to think the unthinkable and my duty is to plan sensibly for the future.

"We have had to take actions that we never thought would be necessary but we need to take them now to secure our club for many generations to come. We do so with huge regret, but equally with the knowledge that we must ensure that this fantastic club and its greater community is there for future generations.

“Both Andy and Candy will be missed as diligent employees of the club. We sincerely hope that both Andy and Candy will remain members of our great community and we look forward to welcoming them at future events as friends of us all.”

Pratt has a long association with the club, starting his playing career with them as a 10-year-old and going onto become a leading try scorer and first team captain.

He has previously worked as an RFU regional development officer in Kent before taking on the full-time role at Canterbury.

His duty was to oversee all of the club’s rugby activities and manage the club’s community programme, developing the game across the area.

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