WHARFEDALE'S last hope of avoiding relegation from National League One has been scuppered.

Their only prospect of not playing in National League Two North next season was if Plymouth Albion, who went into administration in March and were docked 30 league points, could not prove to the RFU that they had a viable business plan going forward.

However, news has come through that the south-west club have proved to the governing body that they will be financially secure for the 2026-17 season.

A one-sentence statement from Alan McCreadie, secretary of the National Clubs Association, read: "I have had confirmation that the RFU board have agreed that Plymouth Albion will be allowed to participate in National One next season."

Wharfedale RUFC secretary Howard Whiteley said: "There was a slim possibility of an 11th-hour reprieve but we didn't hold out much hope on balance and, to be honest, it was becoming a bit of a distraction.

"The fixtures for next season are due out in the first week in June, and if the decision last week had gone against Plymouth, they would have appealed and it could have been August before we knew what division we would be playing in and what our fixtures would be.

"At least we can now crack on and plan for next season in National League Two North, where hopefully support for our beloved Green Machine will continue – indeed that could be the only normal aspect remaining in this topsy-turvy world of Leicester City, the European Union and Donald Trump!

"As far as Wharfedale are concerned, our supporters can enjoy a breather and take a rest as we have so much to look forward to when the jamboree kicks off again in September."

Albion's 30-point deduction dropped them from fifth to eighth in National League Two, but Whiteley warned: "We understand that the RFU are going to be tightening up their sanctions against clubs that go into administration, although we don't know when they will come into force."