Tranmere Rovers are weighing up a legal battle with the English Football League after the Birkenhead club were effectively voted out of League One last week.

Prenton Park Chairman Mark Palios has been considering his options since Rovers were handed a default relegation after an overwhelming majority of member clubs voted to end the season now, using an unweighted Points Per Game system to determine final standings for the season.

Under that system, 21st placed Tranmere were relegated to League Two despite having 10 games left to play and one in hand on 20th placed AFC Wimbledon.

But with similar legal battles surfacing in Scotland and other leagues across Europe, former FA Chairman Palios is taking nothing off the table.

Wirral Globe: Tranmere won promotion to League One in the play-off final 12 months ago but have been relegated back to League Two on a vote. Photo: Tony CoombesTranmere won promotion to League One in the play-off final 12 months ago but have been relegated back to League Two on a vote. Photo: Tony Coombes

In a statement published on the club's website on Monday evening, he said: "Many of you have been asking whether the Club intends to take legal action against the EFL in respect of the vote to demote Tranmere from League One last week. We have been very clear that we regard the vote as unfair, unjust and an entirely unnecessary infliction of damage on our Club when we are already grappling with the impact of a global pandemic.

"Emotions are running very high, but our first duty is to act in the best interests of the Club. The EFL changed the regulations to require arbitration proceedings directly challenging the vote to be commenced within 7 days of the vote, but the Club intends to take a more considered approach, as we have many other legal remedies with no such time constraints.

"We have been taking detailed legal advice from experts in this specialist field of litigation and are closely following the legal actions in Belgium, France and Scotland where similar decisions are being challenged and overturned on the basis of anti-competitive behaviour and unfair prejudice.

"At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to what legal action may be appropriate and/or necessary, and the timing of that. 

"Our preferred option is of course to resolve the dispute in an amicable fashion working together with the EFL – and we invite the EFL to do so with the best interests of the footballing pyramid in mind – but to date the EFL has given no indication of any inclination to work with us to find a reasonable solution without resorting to formal legal proceedings.

Wirral Globe: Connor Jennings celebrates his extra-time winning goal against Newport County in the play-off final at Wembley. Photo: Tony CoombesConnor Jennings celebrates his extra-time winning goal against Newport County in the play-off final at Wembley. Photo: Tony Coombes

"Accordingly, all options remain open, including a legal challenge if required.

"Given the legal nature of the matter, the Club's ability to openly comment is necessarily limited, but it will do what it can to keep supporters and others updated."

​Despite now being on a sound financial footing, the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and the imposed relegation has already resulted in job losses.

The day after Tranmere's relegation was confirmed it was announced that approximately 20 staff have been informed that their positions will be made redundant from the end of July.

And on Friday, the club also confirmed that the Riverhill Hotel, which is owned by Mark and Nicola Palios, is now closed to external guests on a permanent basis.

The hotel has been used as a base for the preparation and delivery of food parcels to the local community since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed.

It will continue to operate in this capacity and will also be used for player accommodation when football resumes.