The idea of the Roosters making a comeback was put to each of the Group 11 clubs late last year and the response was mixed.

Group 11 president Derrick Hoe said it was roughly “half and half” when it came to clubs being for or against the move, which would have seen the Roosters field just three sides in 2018.

A lack of numbers would have seen Cobar play in reserves, under 18s and league tag and that didn’t go down well with all the other clubs, who have worked for years in order to have a strong group of players.

“The way I see it, it is a little disappointing but other clubs like Narromine, Wellington and Nyngan have all had struggles for player numbers but have done a huge amount of work and it would have been hypocritical (to let Cobar in),” Hoe said.

Hoe and Roosters president Chris Deighton met last week and agreed Cobar wouldn’t play in Group 11 this year but they will have a chance to put forward their case for a 2019 return midway through the season.

If the Roosters are to return in 2019 they will have to field sides in all four grades, in accordance with the Group 11 by-laws.

Hoe admitted it would have been unfair for Cobar to receive special treatment and field just three sides, with current clubs getting fined if they fail to field one of the four teams.

Cobar must now find another competition to play in after playing in the Barwon Darling League the past two seasons.

Another approach to the Castlereagh League expected after the red, white and blues’ application was knocked back last year.

That move kicked off the talk of a potential move to Group 11, where Cobar last played in 2015, and while Hoe said the Roosters have the ability to return in 2019, he did have some concerns about what will happen this season.

“I don’t want to see Cobar not playing football because small towns need football,” he said.

“But they’ve got a stable committee there and I can see it all falling into place and they’ve got a bit of work to do but I think they should have the numbers. It would be good to have them back.”

A poll run by the Daily Liberal late last year attracted close to 200 votes and 80% of those who voted were keen to see Cobar return in 2018, even with just the three sides.

While he would have personally liked to have seen Cobar back in Group 11, Hoe was pleased with how the clubs worked with the board to find a solution.

“Our priority is for every club to have a say,” he said.

“It’s about Group 11 and it’s about football. It’s not about the committee.”