NOTTINGHAM Rugby has appealed to potential investors for help with its financial crisis.

Around 40 people attended a meeting led by chairman Geoff Huckstep at the Nottingham Trent FM Arena last night.

It focused on the club's cash-flow projections, cost-cutting exercises and ways people and businesses could invest.

During the meeting Mr Huckstep said: "We have gone through hell and back in the past ten months.

"I have not been here long but the club gets into your bones and we are fighters.

"We have to do all we can to keep the club going."

Earlier this month, the Evening Post reported that the club needed to raise an extra £150,000 to see it through until the end of the season.

A planned £300,000 land deal with a property developer fell through earlier this year, leaving the club with a major shortfall.

At the meeting, potential investors were told the club had made cuts in its budget, including stadium costs, transport costs and players' wages.

Company secretary Mark Doleman said revenue was also being generated through fund-raising, community programmes and money from the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

And next season the 16-team National Division One will change to the 12-team Championship, bringing more money from the RFU and a five-year deal with Sky television.

But he said that the amount of money the club needs depends on how good a rugby club people want Nottingham to be.

"That's what we are looking for," he said.

Investors were told they could buy shares in the club or become sponsors.

Sponsorship ranges from the 1877 Club at £800 a year or the Platinum Sponsor at £11,000 a year, to the Headline Sponsor at £30,000 a year.

Ideas raised by people at the meeting to help with the crisis included the possibility of players being part-time, marketing officers working on a reward system and selling more season tickets.

Mr Huckstep added: "I cannot underestimate the need to bring in cash quickly and bums on seats is a way to do this.

"People should attend matches with friends – it's great value for money.

"We will get through this and will be a much stronger club."

The Evening Post has launched its own campaign to save Nottingham Rugby.

Let us know about your fund-raising activities – e-mail newsdesk@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk or call us on 0115 948 2000.

The club's next game is on Sunday against Manchester at Meadow Lane. Kick off is 6pm.

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk