MOUNTS Bay RFC has been forced to close its doors after failing to find a solution to ongoing problems.

The Cornish club had declared debts in excess of £26,000 earlier in the summer, and they were forced to admit defeat last night after a last-ditch battle to keep the club afloat failed at an EGM in Penzance.

Bay, who were relegated from National League Two last season, have been unable to recruit players over the summer as they focused their attention on solving mounting off-the-field problems.

A last-ditch attempt was made to forge a link with numerous National League clubs in the South West in a bid to raise a side capable of competing in National League Two South this season.

However, despite a willingness of many neighbouring clubs to help, Bay's financial plight left the club no alternative but to fold. The news has been a devastating blow to head coach Adrian Bick who has worked tirelessly to keep Mounts Bay going on and off the field.

He said: "We had a long meeting and it was decided in the best interests of the club to fold as of tonight. We explored all the opportunities. The link up with the Pirates wasn't viable for all kinds of reasons.

"We were extremely grateful for what the Pirates tried to do for us and Redruth. The Cornwall RFU also helped us explore what we could do but at the end of the day we had a situation that was financially untenable.

"Even if we managed to get a squad together – Jon Hill at Launceston also offered to help us – when you look at the hard facts we'd have started the season massively in debt and with a lot of uncertainties."

Mounts Bay had enjoyed unparalleled success under the leadership of local businessman Michael Leah, achieving seven promotions in their first eight seasons since 2000. However, the club ran into difficulty last season whilst trying to compete in League Two as progress on the field overtook the infrastructure behind the scenes.

Benefactor Leah was no longer able to subsidise the club's progression as his own businesses suffered the affects of the credit crunch, while attendance figures for home games at the Mennaye Field plummeted as the team struggled at the foot of the table.

Leah and his management committee stepped down at a stormy EGM in May as talk of administration loomed. The club appointed an interim management team to see them through the summer, but they were unable to guide the club back to an even keel.

Bay have always struggled to generate their own income on match days without their own ground. The only incoming revenue from matches played at the Cornish Pirates-owned Mennaye came from receipts at the turnstiles.

The last viable scenario would have seen Bay's seven remaining players playing alongside second XV players from Redruth as well as possibly the Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs and the Cornish All Blacks, who would have used Bay to blood their youngsters and fringe players in National League Two South.

Bick added: "On behalf of the players, I'd like to thank the interim committee, the supporters who stuck with us and Cornwall RFU, Redruth and all the other clubs who tried to offer us a lifeline."