Blackheath has been forced to withdraw from the 2017 New Era Cup premiership, leaving the second division competition with eight teams this winter.

The Blackcats boast a proud record in the Mid-west competition, entering the premiership in 1975 and going on to play in 21 grand finals, winning three. The club has made the last three grand finals, winning in 2015.

Morgan’s been at the helm of the last 16 of those seasons as president but said he was stunned when he returned from a two week overseas holiday to find his club essentially unraveling at the seams after coach Jed Jervis left Blackheath.

“I went away for two weeks before the season starts for a holiday and I get back and the coach has walked out and a lot of players have too,” Morgan said.

“We had a crisis meeting on Friday and nine players showed up. Nine isn’t anywhere near enough for a team.

“It’s disappointing. We’ve been a competitive team in this competition for a long time.”

Morgan said it was tough for the smaller New Era clubs to compete for players against Group 10 teams.

The Blackcats lost both Matt Ranse (Bathurst St Pat’s) and Ryan Jervis (Lithgow Workies) in the off-season.

Both players caught the eye of Group 10 clubs having played for Western’s under 21s side in October.

The Blackcats absence will not affect this weekend’s New Era Cup gala day, the Lithgow Bears having prepared for the 2017 carnival.

Bears’ representative Lauren Stevens said it was very disappointing to lose the Blackcats, but, even without the mountains club, the event will go ahead.

The club’s league tag girls will continue to play in 2017, but they’ll do so after a merger with Lithgow Giants’ league tag side.

Morgan was hopeful the club will be back in the draw in 2018.

“We’ve been through this before.”