Halifax Panthers placed into liquidation

Second-tier rugby league side Halifax Panthers have been placed into liquidation.

After a hearing at the High Court on Monday, the 153-year-old club were wound-up because of money owed to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Halifax started their Championship season with a home win over Batley on 1 February before losing to Goole in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

"Discussions will now begin around the future of the club. Our focus is on working with all parties to secure the best possible outcome and a sustainable future for Halifax Panthers," they said in a statement.

"This is not necessarily the end of the club, and we will provide further updates as soon as we can."

Halifax, who were champions and Challenge Cup winners in consecutive seasons in the 1980s, were coached by former England rugby union international Kyle Eastmond.

The Rugby Football League said in a statement: "The board of the RFL will meet to consider all options this week.

"Our thoughts are with the players, coaches, club staff and fans that will be affected on hearing today's news."

The Panthers' plight is another blow to the sport after Featherstone Rovers were denied membership to the Championship by the RFL last month after going into administration in December, the same month Salford Red Devils were liquidated.

The former Super League side club subsequently taken over by a consortium led by ex-player Mason Caton-Brown in January and have opened the campaign with successive defeats.