Shareholders have voted to put cash-strapped Championship One side Rochdale Hornets into administration.

The move allows the club to avoid a winding-up order by the Inland Revenue over a �55,000 debt which was due to be heard in the High Court on Wednesday.

"Going into administration was the preferred option," said Rochdale chief executive Ken Oldham.

They face automatic suspension by the Rugby Football League and could face more sanctions if no rescuer is found.

Talks about a deal with football club Rochdale AFC have taken place but Oldham denies that the result will be a merger with the League Two club.

"We are talking to the football club about forming a new company but it won't be a merger," he said.

"There would still be two separate companies but the football club may have a director on the new board."

The Hornets, one of 20 founder members of the Rugby League in 1895, will continue to prepare for their season opener in the Northern Rail Cup against Oldham at Boundary Park on 8 February.

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