Business is booming for new look Sheffield Eagles

Whaling had previously held the position of associate director at the club and brings a raft of business experience to the role. He also knows the politics of the game after a spell as President of the Rugby Football League.

“It is a great honour to have been appointed as Chief Executive, I cannot wait to get started,” Whaling said. “At this stage of the club’s development it is a necessity. It became clear that we needed someone to run the club on a day-to-day basis after Ken Jones’ departure, so the Board has taken the decision and I am very pleased to accept.”

Whaling confirmed that role won’t be full-time, but he will be a presence at club headquarters on most days, as the Eagles look to forge ahead with plans for a permanent return to Sheffield.

Whaling added: “I still have some business commitments that I need to honour, but I will be expecting to spend two to three days a week with the Eagles which will be spread across the working week.”

The move is another step forward for the club who have been running as a full-time operation since November 2015. On the pitch director of rugby Mark Aston has put an impressive squad together, consisting mainly of exciting up and coming players.

Off the field the appointment of a new commercial manager in Chris Jolley was another strong addition. The arrival of a new Chief Executive is another signal of intent, and Whaling feels his decades of business experience will serve him well. “It is important to bring my knowledge of business to the role because at the end of the day Sheffield Eagles is a business,” he said. It needs to be run like a business and it needs to be self sustainable.”