HOPES were fading yesterday that a rescue package could be put in place in time to prevent St James's Gate losing their National League First Division status.

The club, embroiled in a deep financial crisis, has been given until Monday to make a submission to the National League of their plans for the season.

There were no fresh developments yesterday when an official of the National League described the situation as gloomy. He declined to speculate, however, on their likely course of action if the club's membership lapses.

Premier Computers, who sponsored St James's Gate last season but who are now the main sponsors of Shamrock Rovers, offered a new, reduced deal to the club for the current season, but this was rejected earlier in the month.

While refusing to specify the sum involved, a spokesman for the company described it as substantial and said it would have enabled the club to survive on an amateur basis.