DID they peak too soon or simply run out of steam?

That is the big question being asked of the rise and fall of Burnley Sporting Club who took the Lancashire Volleyball League by storm but disappeared as quickly as they arrived.

But, those who thought they had seen the last of the all-conquering Burnley team, will be disappointed.

Because the club is planning a comeback.

The team was formed three years ago, thanks to the support of the Burnley Council Sports Development office, and gained instant success after winning the LVL Division Three title.

That was followed up by a runners-up spot in Division Two which gave them promotion to the top flight.

But the loss of a string of their top players cost them dearly and Burnley Sporting Club had to pull out of the league midway through the programme.

Team manager Azmad Ali said: "What should have been the best season in our short career turned out to be our worst.

"But there was nothing we could do as we just did not have the players to compete every week. "

The club, based at Stonyholme and Daneshouse Community Youth Centre, are determined to learn by their mistakes and will not make the plunge again until they have the strength in the depth needed to compete at the top.

Azmad added: "We are still training every week and now we have a lot of youngsters involved with the club and we believe we are making steps in the right direction.

"We realise we may have fallen from grace a little but we are determine to put that right and next time we are sure we will be around for a little longer and go one and achieve what we set out to do." The team realise that they will have to start at the bottom again but know they will not have lost any of their competitive edge once it comes to playing league matches again.

And, if everything goes to plan, the team will hoping to compete again in the LVL in September.

Azmad added: "We have obtained some funding and in April we will be voting to decide what to do with it. I would like to see us get a coach in to put us back on the right track.

"There is still a burning desire to bring volleyball success to Burnley and now that we have tasted it once, although it was only for a brief time, we want to taste it again."

The club admits it is still going through a transitional period but is now looking for new players to be a part the new look team.

Anyone interested in joining Burnley Sporting Club should contact Azmad Ali on 01282 437870 or contact Abdul Haq at Stoneholme and Daneshouse Community Youth Centre on 01282 831963.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.