But Port Kembla – boasting 22 premierships in their 105-year history, the most of any club – are facing extinction at the end of an extraordinary stand-off between the club and competition officials.

Port Kembla president Ben Fera confirmed a special general meeting is planned, where winding up the club’s assets would be discussed. 

Officially an Illawarra District Rugby League club, the Blacks had been “on loan” to neighbouring Group Seven since 2013, in a bid to rebuild after struggling for playing depth and financially.

However, Port Kembla withdrew completely last year, before hoping to return in the Group Seven reserve grade competition this season. 

Instead, prolonged negotiations about bringing Port back to the Illawarra league – most likely in the third division shield – have broken down.

“We feel like there’s light at the end of the tunnel if we stay in Group Seven,” Fera told Fairfax Media. 

“It’s a competition we can be able to compete in, whereas we’re going to struggle coming back up to the Illawarra league.

“At the moment we’re looking to hold an extraordinary general meeting and closing the books for good.”

Port Kembla won 22 titles between 1922 and their last in 1965. 

They have signed Dean Gray – previously at the Stingrays after a decorated career at Albion Park Oak Flats – as coach, however, it is understood he only wants to take the reins if they play in Group Seven.

Illawarra general manager Chris Bannerman said the loan arrangement with Group Seven was always on the basis Port Kembla would be a competitive force.

“It was always conditional on them playing first grade down there,” he said.

“The board of management’s view was that the terms of the agreement that had been brokered was specifically around them competing in first grade in Group Seven.

“If they had been playing Shield or reserve grade here when they first sought approval to Group Seven that wouldn’t have been granted.

“The explicit terms of the original application were ‘to rebuild to a position of strength where they could consider a return to the Illawarra’. That hasn’t happened.”

The Southern Region area manager, Kevin Felgate told Fairfax Media he hoped Country Rugby League and Illawarra officials would be invited to any extraordinary general meeting in a last-ditch bid to save the club.

Under Country Rugby League rules, Illawarra could take control of the assets if the decision is made to wind up the club.

The league would then likely actively seek to establish a new board, with a view to returning to the Illawarra competition in 2020. Bannerman said every possible measure will be taken to revive Port Kembla. 

“We don’t want to see the demise of the Port Kembla club,” he said. 

“We won’t be prepared to sit back and let the club disappear.

“We’d certainly like to see it revived in some form and will assist to get back on its feet in the Illawarra.

“We have had indications over the years that people may be interested in doing so but they won’t do it while the club’s in Group Seven.

“It’s sad to see but we don’t necessarily see it as the death knell for Port Kembla.”