Mustangs secretary Bruce Cain said the continued support of the Country Rugby League gave the club hope for the future.

“It is about giving them time and space to do what they can,” he said.

“Hopefully we will receive more information in the coming days.”

The Mustangs were voted out of the competition for a third time at a Group 3 meeting at Wingham on tuesday night.

Just six of the 22 delegates opted to support the Mustangs' bid for reinstatement.

The vote came even though Country Rugby League CEO Terry Quinn made a presentation on the night.

Mr Quinn told The Argus yesterday that it was a shame the club’s hard work throughout the past couple of weeks went unrecognised by some of the delegates.

“I was very impressed with what was said and the way they had overcome the problems they had faced with discipline,” Mr Quinn said.

“Obviously some of the delegates had already made up their minds which is just the way it goes. 

"We don’t have any defined options at the moment."

Mr Quinn said the CRL wanted the Mustangs under 18s and women's teams, at least, to be able to play next year.

"We will keep chipping away at the senior division and see what options are available,” he said.

The Mustangs were voted out of the competition for the second time in November, when the ballot result was 15-5.

Group 3 secretary Barrie Smith said yesterday that the latest result was a clear message to the club.

“I was not surprised with the end result because it was consistent with the vote held last month,” he said.

“We were told by Terry Quinn that this would be the last meeting that would be held regarding this matter so as far as we are concerned, it is the end of it.”

Group 3 officials expect to go ahead with a seven team competition next year - missing this year's premiers.