Whitehaven will put Sunday’s disappointment behind them and look to go at least one better next year.

Chairman Tommy Todd was philosophical after his side’s 10-6 defeat to neighbours Barrow.

“We were disappointed, of course, but the aim now is to be ready to go next season with a view to winning automatic promotion.

“After ten hard months of rugby the fact that it all went down to four points, and just one try, emphasises how close we came.

“We had tries disallowed and Steve Roper is adamant he did not knock-on when he went over.

“It was a terrific effort and to go so close after being widely written-off during the pre-season was confirmation we were on the right lines.

“The plan now is to get our squad for 2018 sorted-out quickly over the next few weeks so we are ready to go once Carl (Forster) says he wants to start training,” said Todd.

Toronto Wolfpack were promoted as League One champions and Barrow went-up through winning the Play-off final.

Next year Bradford Bulls and Oldham Roughyeds could provide the stiffest opposition as they try to regain their Championship status.

The make-up of League One is set to be announced in a couple of weeks.

There could be a team less and everybody might play each other home and away.

Word on the street suggests Oxford and Gloucestershire could be merging and play at Bristol.

Meanwhile, Haven chairman Todd has felt the need to correct a reference in the Barrow programme on Sunday to the Craven Park club’s own relegation three years ago.

“It was inferred that, unlike Barrow, we had received a parachute payment when we were relegated last year.

“That is simply not the case. I don’t know where this came from but we did not receive any form of parachute payment,” said Todd.