Whitehaven or Barrow could be playing Championship rugby again next season if cash-strapped Bradford Bulls are relegated.

The Rugby Football League decided to terminate the Bulls' membership after the club went into administration for the third time in five years.

The Kingstone Press Championship club went into administration to protect themselves from a winding-up petition, brought by HM Revenue and Customs for unpaid taxes.

This has been followed by the RFL’s decision to withdraw the club's membership and they have warned the Bulls they could face automatic relegation to League 1.

If that happened, the RFL would probably have to decide whether Whitehaven stayed in the Championship or fellow Cumbrians Barrow were promoted after finishing runners-up to Toulouse last season.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “We have only read what the Rugby Football League have announced over Bradford’s membership. We have not been contacted.

“It’s my own feeling that Bradford will remain in the Championship but start next season with a points deduction.”

In a statement, the governing body said: "As is normal when a club enters administration, the RFL board has terminated Bradford Bulls Northern Limited's membership of the RFL.

"The RFL is in discussion with the appointed administrators about their plans for the future of the club.

"The RFL board will consider any proposals put forward by the administrators to secure the future of the club and membership (and the conditions of any membership) of the RFL is then entirely at the discretion of the board.

"As part of exercising its discretion, the RFL board would assess any individual proposed be involved in the ownership or management of the club to ensure that they are a fit and proper person.

"In addition, as part of the conditions of any membership, the RFL board would then determine the appropriate sporting sanction, which could include a points deduction or possible relegation.

"This is clearly a distressing time for supporters, players and employees of Bradford Bulls.

"We will aim to keep them updated of any progress as and when we can."

Bradford were also put into administration in 2012 and 2014 and tax officials said at a hearing in a Bankruptcy and Companies Court in London last month the club owes around £350,000.

Gary Pettit and Gavin Bates, directors of PBC Business Recovery and Insolvency, have been appointed as joint administrators of the Bulls and say early indications suggest there is interest in saving the club.

Bradford dominated the early years of Super League and were crowned world club champions in 2006 but were relegated two years ago and last season failed to reach the top four of the Championship.