TORQUAY Athletic have been told there is little prospect of being handed a get-out-of-jail card if they finish in the bottom three of South West One this term.

It is the time of year for all sorts of fanciful rumours to circulate among clubs at the wrong end of their tables, all hoping for a miracle to save them.

The rumour in Torquay's division is that the demise of Mounts Bay last summer means few teams will need to be relegated to get the right number of clubs in the divisions below National Two South next season.

Like most rumours there is a grain of truth in it, but no more than that.

Mike Gee, the league administrator responsible for the entire South West Division, said Mounts Bay and Solihull's withdrawal from the league ladder since the end of last season will have a knock-on effect.

Gee said strict rules existed on relegation matters and until the final tables are drawn up he could not and would not speculate on who would be reprieved.

"What it comes down to is that two teams playing at level six, which is where Torquay are, could be reprieved at the end of the season," said Gee.

Who gets a reprieve had nothing to do with where they are geographically, but what their playing record is.

"There are eight divisions at level six nationally and the bottom three in each are due to go down.

"At the end of the season the league committee will identify the two teams with the best playing records among the 24 due to be relegated and they will be the ones who are saved."

Torquay are currently one place clear of the drop zone after beating St Mary's last Saturday. They have to stay ahead of third-bottom Ivybridge to be safe by right.