Otley Rugby Union Club have admitted they have had to tighten their belts – but say the situation is not as serious as two seasons ago.

The National League One battlers are having to replace new kit with old and make small purchases rather than buying in bulk as they deal with the effects of having two home games postponed before Christmas, including their derby against Wharfedale, because of the weather.

Otley secretary Marc Lawrence admitted: “Things are extremely difficult at the moment but I am in control of the finances.

“It is just a matter of us getting through this week and then we have a run of four out of five home games.

“We are at Barking this weekend but then we have Macclesfield at home, Tynedale at home, Stourbridge away and Wharfedale and Sedgley Park at home.

“We lost the home match against Macclesfield on Dec-ember 4 and, more importantly, the home match against Wharfedale on December 18 to the weather.

“That was the big one as we make three times from that what we make in a normal home game. We don’t make much at all when our second team are at home.

“We need new socks, new shorts – indeed a new kit – but we are just having to manage with what older kit is around.”

Lawrence added: “I have also told people to be careful about spending money.

“We aren’t in the same trouble as we were a couple of seasons ago.

“We should have pulled the plug on our spending earlier that season.

“We might be asset rich but we are cash poor, and cash is what you need."