CALDER VALE have successfully changed their name to Burnley Rugby Club - despite opposition from some of the club's old boys.

More than 90 members were entitled to vote on the issue at yesterday's AGM but only three voted against.

There had been opposition from some Corinthians - the club's old boys - particularly from former first team coach Keith Alexander, who complained that he was not allowed to vote despite having been able to vote at previous AGMs.

Club chairman Ian Wilkinson said the Cornithians were not allowed to vote because they were not full members.

He said he was delighted the vote was successful.

"It was a positive day for sport in Burnley," said Wilkinson, who had argued that the name-change was vital for the future viability of the club.

"It was an emotive thing, a lot of the lads, myself included, are upset to see the passing of our name but we live in the real world and we know that for the club to prosper we have to make changes from time to time.

"As chairman I have a duty to make sure I pass the club on in better shape than I got it in. We had a problem with recognition before. Hopefully our problems with recognition are over."

Wilkinson said there was still a place for the Corinthians at the club. "I had an amiable meeting with the President on Saturday and we agreed to have a meeting in the future."