The North Sydney Bears are lining up a hostile takeover of their old rivals Manly which could end the Sea Eagles in top flight rugby league.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a consortium of Bears business partners is set to make a bid to buy out the Penn family who currently own the troubled Eagles.

The report also hints that the Bears have some powerful allies with businesses from as far as China and Russia ready to back the foundation club’s attempt at reentry into first grade.

Norths are still dirty for the way they were treated back in 2002 when Manly took back the NRL licence from the doomed Northern Eagles.

Catch Curtis Woodward and The81stMinute Call Team this Saturday from 1pm on steelesports.com.au for Mounties against the Jets!