Kyabram District League announced on Tuesday night the Bush Cats' membership in the competition for next season had been suspended via a vote between the league executive and its clubs.
Sadly, next year would have marked the Bush Cats' centenary birthday as a sporting club.
But in true Ardmona spirit, the club has vowed to fight on, with a petition created to help support the Bush Cats.
So far, the petition has more than 550 signatures since it was created on Tuesday night.
The club also posted the following statement on its Facebook page following the meeting.
“So the decision is in, we have been placed into suspension," it read.
“We are absolutely heart broken and lost for words.
“Our fundraising efforts will continue as will our committee's hard work in bringing Ardy back!!
“The fight’s not over!”
At the special general meeting, all 15 league clubs (including Ardmona) were in attendance, with the Cats given the opportunity to present their case for competing next season.
With Ardmona's financial debt to the league, under its bylaws it was unable to be involved in a vote on its membership for next season.
The outcome of the vote was in favour to suspend Ardmona's membership and evidently curtail the club's 100-year celebration.
It ends what has been a difficult month for the club off the field, and more so, a hard time on the field in recent years.
With its outstanding debt — of between $15,000 to $20,000 — owed to the league due a little more than a fortnight ago, the club's treasurer Teisha McCoy kick-started a crowd funding campaign to raise much-needed funds.
The GoFundMe page has raised $10,805 as of yesterday afternoon, with almost 200 donors offering their help to the club.
The club was contacted for comment yesterday.