The club was re-admitted at the Group Three annual meeting held at the Wingham Services Club by an overwhelming majority.

Macleay was excluded from Group Three for this year's competition after winning the 2014 premiership following a series of on-field and off-field indiscretions saw the Mustangs forfeit the criteria points clubs are awarded at the start of each season.

The club had six representatives at the annual meeting, including 2016 captain-coach Sam Howe.

"It's been a hard year for the town and our committee,'' president Steve Moir told the annual meeting.

Forster-Tuncurry secretary Lance Fletcher moved the Mustangs be accepted into the 2016 competition and this was seconded by Taree City president Mal Dixon.

"Thanks you for your support,'' Mr Moir said after the vote.

"We will do the right thing. We appreciate your support.''

Eight clubs will now contest the 2016 premiership. The season will start the weekend of April 2 with the grand final scheduled for Sunday September. There will be 18 competition matches.

There were no changes to the group's executive, with president Wayne Bridge (Wingham), secretary/treasurer Barrie Smith (Cundletown), vice presidents Kevin Hardy (Taree) and Geoff Kelly (Port Macquarie) all returned unopposed.

Dave Henry (Port Macquarie), Warren Blissett (Forster-Tuncurry) and Ian Andrews (Taree) are other members of the management committee.

There will be further reports on the meeting in Wednesday's Manning River Times.