Peterborough RUFC insist they will survive the sporting shutdown despite missing out hosting several summer events

Borough’s plight was highlighted in the national press this week as it was revealed they missed out on a financial handout last summer from the English RFU by filing an application a day late.

Clubs are supposed to confirm they have not paid players to perform - something that is frowned upon at Fengate - by May 30 to be eligible for a financial boost, but Borough’s application arrived at headquarters on June 1.

And now the city club have learnt their late application has cost them any chance of a handout to help them through the current coronavirus crisis.

Boough make plenty of money from weddings, dog shows, dinners and a beer festival in the summer, none of which will now take place.

But Borough chairman Alistair ‘Archie’ Bennett is relaxed about the situation.

“I don’t want to make a big thing out it,” Bennett said. “We had a wedding booked in every week so we will be missing out, but we will still be around for next season.

“There is no doubt about that.

“It is frustrating and we did appeal against the decision not to help us financially through the current shutdown as it’s a unique situation, but we were turned down.

“But we will carry on and we have plenty to look forward to next season.

“We’ve lost Oundle from our division, but we have gained two excellent additions in local rivals Peterborough Lions and Kettering.”

The Daily Mail suggested Borough could lose out on between £60k and £80k this summer, but Bennett insists that’s a very high estimate.

Borough also run successful youth and girls rugby programmes.

Last year the English RFU revealed revenue of £213 million, more than twice that of New Zealand Rugby Union.