24 Apr 2010

Storm coach vows to stay with shattered club

5:30 pm on 24 April 2010

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has vowed to rebuild the shattered rugby league club following revelations of its $AUS1.7 million salary cap breach.

Bellamy has welcomed the NRL's continued investigation into the fraud and says the 48 hours since the club was hit with heavy penalties because of it have been the toughest of his and his players' sporting lives.

The penalties include stripping the Storm of their two premiership titles and of all points for this season.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the scandal erupted, Bellamy read a statment with players standing behind him but wouldn't answer questions, citing the ongoing investigation.

He said he would not walk away from the club and urged fans not to.

Bellamy said the Storm is going to fight back, starting today, and on Sunday on the field against the Warriors in Melbourne.