Championship Manager Online to close on April 30

Fans set up Facebook petition group.

Online football management game Championship Manager Online from Eidos and Jadestone is to close on April 30, 2010.

The game's loyal fanbase, understandably angry at the news, has created a Facebook petition group in a last gasp effort to convince those with the power to keep the game running.

"On the 30th April, our beloved cm-online will close. Join the group and lets show Jadestone just how much we love the game and lets hope they keep it open," states the group's description.

However, according to the Swedish developer, the decision to cease operating the game was not in their hands.

"We - at Jadestone - cannot talk about the decision to close the game, due to contractual obligations. We will not answer or comment any such questions," read a statement from the developer.

"The game, the brand, the internet domain and the subscriptions are all owned by Eidos and the decision to cease the service is entirely theirs to make. The decision was made unilaterally by them, and we are not at liberty to comment on any reasoning.

"Finally, we only have one more thing to say: Thank you, and we're sorry."

Via CVG