Mounts Bay facing administration

Mounts Bay Rugby Club could be forced to go into administration, reports BBC Radio Cornwall.

The club's management committee will meet on Tuesday evening to decide if there is a way to plug a deficit of over �20,000.

"Either we will move forward or we will consider administration," said committee chairman Arthur Edwards.

"We can't rule out the club folding. Since Christmas time we've been very concerned at way things are going."

Bay have enjoyed a meteoric rise up the rugby union league pyramid since being formed in 1999.

Eight promotions in nine years has seen the club go from the bottom rung of the league ladder to National League Two, two divisions below the Premiership.

However, the club, which leases the Mennaye Field from neighbours Cornish Pirates, has few assets and has relied on the generosity of local sponsors and benefactors to fund its expansion.

If at that meeting we know there's a light at the end of the tunnel we'll pursue it

Arthur Edwards

But funding has dried up since the onset of the economic downturn.

"It got to the stage as a club that we had to ask the players to take a wage cut in order to ensure we could get through the season," said Edwards.

"But with the credit squeeze, sponsors are not being able to fulfil their commitments to us. I understand that because jobs are more important than a game of rugby."

Edwards also said that attendances have fallen significantly since the club was promoted to National League Two, where they face a battle to avoid relegation.

"When you're successful you get the support. The fans have been tremendous when it was going well, but this year support has significantly gone down."

A final decision on the future of the club will be made at Tuesday's meeting of the management committee.

"The last two weeks we've felt down and out and like this is the end of Mounts Bay. Next Tuesday is a big day as I see it," said Edwards.

"We've got a few irons in the fire and will explore those options.

"If at that meeting we know there's a light at the end of the tunnel then we'll pursue it. Administration is something which will come up and it could well be the end situation."