Macclesfield Rugby Union FC's 1st XV have been 'involuntarily demoted' to the Regional 1 North West.

The club say they are 'disappointed and angry' with the decision made by the Rugby Football Union and National League Rugby.

The team were initially allocated to the National League 2 West for the forthcoming season, despite explaining that this would be beyond the club's means.

Following an intense negotiation period with the NLR and RFU, as well as the 15 other National League 2 North teams, consensus has not been reached and therefore Macclesfield were relegated to the Regional 1 North West.

Director of Rugby Matt Coleridge said: "We are massively frustrated by the actions of the NLR and RFU as being relegated for your performance and points tally is one thing, but for being allocated to a league in which it directly affects your ability to compete due to travel time and cost of travel is devastating.

"I feel for the players, coaches, committee and fans as the years of work on an upward trajectory has been immediately un-done for administrative reasons rather than on-field ones."

This is the first time that this issue of Cheshire clubs being placed in National League 2 West has affected the national league status of those clubs.

Macclesfield RUFC say that discussions have been held with the head coach and director of rugby as they look to return to the national leagues 'at the earliest opportunity'.

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