Blackpool Panthers out of the Championship for 2011 season

The Rugby Football League has reluctantly conceded that Blackpool Panthers will be unable to compete in the Championship next season. The Panthers were founded six years ago, taking the place of Chorley Lynx in the bottom tier of the professional game to maintain a presence in Lancashire, 17 years after the old Blackpool Borough club had moved in with Wigan Athletic at their former Springfield Park ground because of financial problems. They won the Northern Rail Nines at Bloomfield Road last year and demolished Gateshead Thunder 132-0 less than six months ago. But they went into administration last month and failed to meet a deadline set by the RFL to present their plans for 2011. "The RFL has done everything possible to ensure the continuing involvement of Blackpool Panthers and we had every hope that a credible plan would be presented," said Ralph Rimmer, the governing body's chief operating officer. "Despite a flexible approach to deadlines and ongoing support from the RFL as well as a commitment from the club's representatives right up to the last minute that a plan would be forthcoming, we have received notification that no proposal will be presented. With plans for the 2011 season at an advanced stage we have had no choice but to regretfully decide to cancel their membership."