Football Mid North Coast chairman Mike Parsons said the club – a foundation member of what was then known as the Oxley-Manning Premier League in 2000 – could even be granted an extension.

Mr Parsons denied reports that FC has withdrawn from the competition, however, he confirmed there has been on-going discussions between the club and the FMNC board.

“Their members have been rallying around to get the numbers,’’ Mr Parsons said.

He said the club has indicated it would have enough players to field a first grade team, but is batting for reserve graders.

“Going on our conversions I would say they are looking for eight to 10 players, but that’s just speculation,’’ Mr Parsons said.

He added that under league rules the club can call on their all age, over 35s or YD1 teams for players.

“Clubs need to have 26 registered players – 13 per grade,’’ Mr Parsons explained.

The loss of Port FC would reduce the premier league to nine clubs. This is the same scenario as 2016, when Old Bar withdrew in January.

Mr Parsons said it will be up to the board to decide what direction to take should Port FC withdraw – whether to look for a replacement or run with nine clubs as was the case last year. 

Meanwhile Old Bar president Warren Steedman has confirmed the Barbarians will field two teams in this year's Southern All Age competition as the club looks to regain its place in the premier league in 2018.

Mr Steedman said the Barbarians will have sufficient players for two teams.

“We have about 35 players on our books at the moment,’’ he said.

“We have players coming through from YD1s and they’ll form a team.’’

The Barbarians were forced out of the premier league last year, citing a lack of players for two grades.

“We had enough for one-and-a-quarter teams, which is obviously not enough for the premier league,’’ Mr Steedman said.

Mr Steedman added the club will have record numbers in its junior grades, especially the younger divisions.

Old Bar dropped back to the all age competition last year after withdrawing from the premier league. The Barbarians dominated the all age season-proper, finishing undefeated. 

However, consecutive losses in the opening fortnight of the playoffs saw the Barbarians out of the running for the premiership. This was eventually won by Hallidays Point over Tinonee.

A Hallidays Point official told the Times it is unlikely the club would ever be in a position to seek a premier league berth because of a lack of players.

Mr Steedman said it was always Old Bar’s goal to return to the premier league, although the club knew it would take more than one year to regroup. He said getting an adequate senipr roster was the main priority.

This season’s premier league will kick off on Saturday April 22 with the grand final set for the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday September 23. The competition takes in clubs from Forster-Tuncurry to Kempsey.