Until a new owner is found to replace current incumbent Semore Kurdi, worries will abound that Newcastle will go the same way as folded trio Worcester, Wasps and London Irish.

Having been at Sixways in their dying days, Diamond insists the situation in the north east is not as dire as that, as they await positive news.

“I’m not kidding myself here, but we’ve got a good bunch of players who actually care about what’s going on,” he said.

“There are no smoke and mirrors, I am telling them what the situation is, I wouldn’t give false promises.

“But we are in the same boat, we’re in it together, so what we have to do is remain really tight and hope for the best.”