Whitehaven RLFC are hopeful of being out of special measures from the Rugby League in the very near future.

The man who has been talking to the RFL about the club’s position, 35-year-old Andrew Canavan, has just been appointed to the board of directors at the Recreation Ground.

Canavan, a local quantity surveyor and property developer, said: "I can’t put a specific time on it but I’m hopeful that it will be very soon.

"The RFL has asked for one more piece of information which I am going to supply them with.”

Special measures were imposed during the season just ended and it prevented them from signing players, which left them with one of the smallest squads in the competition.

Canavan, from a family long established as Whitehaven supporters, says he was delighted and honoured to be invited to join the board.

"I know it means a lot of hard work but, if the club is to survive, things have to change and we have to provide some fresh ideas to stimulate home support and improve our funding," he said.

"We need to be more community-based and get back to those days in the early 2000s when we really did have an effective club at that level.

"I think the squad being developed is going to have more emphasis on county-based players and it’s my hope that we can get an Under-19 side up and running, made up of players from the local scene."

Tommy Todd, the club chairman, said: "I’m especially pleased to welcome Andrew on to the board because I’ve known his family for years and they are all fervent Whitehaven supporters.

"Andrew has already been involved with the club for a few months and has been doing good work with the RFL so that, very shortly, we will be able to report that we are out of special measures.

"What we are looking for now is stability and the chance to take the club forward again."