Rovers Ladies have been left frustrated after an appeal to move into the Women's Championship was turned down.

The club appealed against the decision not to award the Ladies with a licence to participate in the second tier of professional women's football next season.

Gemma Donnelly's side have been crowned FA Women's Premier League Northern Division champions for the past two seasons, but saw their application to enter the newly-formed Women's Championship turned down.

Disappointed at the decision, the club lodged an appeal with The Women’s Football Board last month, which has since been considered by an independent panel, who decided that the initial outcome should not be overturned.

"Obviously we're bitterly disappointed that we've been turned down as I feel we had a really strong case," Donnelly said.

"I still stand by the fact that the application was strong enough and now I think we have just got to accept we won't be part of the newly founded Championship.

"We'll go on to fight another season in the same leaue, the newly rebranded league and look to kick on again and I'd like to give my sincere thanks to Blackburn Rovers Football Club for supporting our appeal process," she adde.

"It was a lengthy process and consumed a number of senior management's time and it was a very costly process as well. It further reiterates the club's support for us and we all at the Ladies are very appreciative of the efforts made by the club."