Patriots tell fans: 'Thanks ...and goodbye'

BASKETBALL fans have been left “gutted” and “heartbroken” after learning Plymouth City Patriots will not be playing in the new national league this year.

- WILLIAM TELFORD

The future of the club is now uncertain as it becomes the only major British basketball team not taking part in the new nine-team Super League Basketball (SLB) set up after rescue deals saved teams in Manchester and London.

In a statement, Patriots said it was “thank you and goodbye”.

The club said: “Following the announcement by SLB it is with regret that Plymouth City Patriots will not be part of the league for the 2024-25 season.

“The club would like to take the opportunity to thank our partners, sponsors and fans for your support over the last three seasons. Keeping a professional team in Plymouth, for everyone in Devon and Cornwall, has been the main focus of everyone involved with the club and it is with great sadness that we are not able to operate in the new season.”

The statement continued: “There is always hope that there will be a Plymouth-based team playing in the top league of the sport in the future and we wish the nine teams involved with SLB the best of luck in the coming season. Thank you again for your valued support of professional basketball and please keep following Patriots as the youth programme and NBL games at Plymouth Marjon University will continue.”