The Coventry Telegraph is celebrating victory in its campaign to keep the city's rugby club alive and kicking.

Despite failing to reach a £100,000 target set by the Rugby Football Union to keep the club going, the sport's chiefs decided Coventry Rugby Football Club could continue playing next season.

The RFU had set the National Division One club the tall order of raising the six-figure sum in just a fortnight.

The money was to act as a security bond against further debt for the next two years after the club went into administration, in February.

Despite a huge effort by the Trinity Mirror daily, the appeal raised £52,597 by the midday Wednesday deadline, prompting fears the club would go out of business.

But the RFU announced yesterday afternoon it would use the money as a starting point for next season, as long as the appeal continued until the full £100,000 bond was collected.

Telegraph rugby correspondent John Wilkinson said: "By a quirk of fate the National Division One teams have their meetings in Coventry and July's meeting was on Wednesday.

"RFU competitions director Terry Burwell was accosted at the meeting and he told them the decision.

"The Coventry representative came straight out and rang me up and I managed to get hold of Terry before he left the meeting."

The Telegraph splashed the exclusive on yesterday's front page and online, praising the Coventry public's efforts in keeping the 134-year-old club going.

John added: "We're feeling confident but there's still a long way to go and I'm sure there's a lot more pain and heartache to come.

"What we set out to do was make sure the club was able to play the first game of the season.

"At least we have assured them that and they have the chance to carry on.

"Hopefully, we can get that £100,000 before the RFU changes its mind."