HULL KR owners Neil Hudgell and Rob Crossland have decided this season will be their last financing and running the Robins, the Mail has been told.
It comes as the Red and Whites continue to find life in Super League a major financial struggle, with income and support falling against a backdrop of mounting losses.
The Mail understands the pair have told close associates they now feel they have taken Rovers as far as they can, and do not want to oversee a period of decline.
Such a decision could now throw the long-term future of the Robins into doubt – with a new backer now desperately needed to ensure KR remain in the Super League next season.
Monday's club-record 84-6 hammering to Wigan appears to have been the deciding factor as Hudgell and Crossland have been considering their future.
And it appears to have been a result viewed in the boardroom as a clear example of the growing distance between KR and Super League's best-resourced clubs.
A source close to Rovers told the Mail: "Neil and Rob are now very clear in their minds that this season is their last in terms of financially supporting the club alone.
"They had hoped for major new investment by now after making it clear it was required at the end of last season but that failed to materialise and now they have come to the end of the road.
"Monday's loss was pretty much the final straw. At present, they are digging deep simply to cover debts and see the club through to the end of this season."
Hudgell and Crossland are known to have become increasingly disillusioned with the difficulties of running the Robins over the past 12 months.
It saw them openly appeal for extra support at the end of last season but protracted talks with Hull-born businessman and ex-player Tony Larvin came to nothing, as the club always feared, despite the promise of a £15m investment.
Season ticket sales also dropped by 1,000 from last year and Hudgell then laid blame for the delays on the completion of the club's new North Stand at the door of Hull City Council, claiming it had cost them between £750,000 and £1m off their bottom-line.
Now, set against continuing losses of around £500,000 a year, and spending just £100,000 short of the £1.65m salary cap for player wages, the pair have decided they cannot go on.
Both lifelong fans of the club, Hudgell and Crossland will be desperate to find a buyer to take over and avoid the doomsday scenario of facing the prospect of considering placing the Robins into administration.
But unless they receive a major investment to allow them to continue as minor contributors, or a complete new owner to take over before the end of the year, the pair will face a difficult decision over the club's future.
The Mail understands they gave the RFL full assurances they would see out this season with the Robins after saying they were considering their long-term involvement at the end of last season.
It is thought two more interested parties have come forward to open informal talks since the club called time on negotiations with Larvin but, as yet, no real progress has been made.
When approached by the Mail, Hudgell said neither he nor Crossland wished to make a statement at the current time.
However, he said he expected a club statement to be made in the next few days over the club's long-term position.
In yesterday's Mail, Hudgell labelled the defeat to Wigan a "disgrace", criticising players' lack of professionalism and admitting it had left him considering his long-term future at the club.
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