BURNLEY and Pendle Rugby League Club has no intention of joining the North West Counties League where matches are played during the winter months.

The club, established four seasons ago, has just finished a successful season in the Entry Division in the North West Men’s League under the auspices of the RFL – a league that runs throughout the summer.

The club is planning to play in the Entry Division again next season although it may look at joining the competitive Division Five some time in the future.

Either way, the club has no plans to play winter rugby – a move that would clash with Burnley RUFC and Pendle Phoenix where many of their players have played for Burnley and Pendle RL during the summer.

Strong links have been forged between the three clubs in recent seasons and that is something Burnley and Pendle RL team manager Bob Lennard wants to continue.

“We’ve been working hard to develop a good relationship with rugby union clubs in the area and indeed, we were invited by Burnley RUFC to use their facilities this summer with a view to developing the relationship further,” he said.

“If we do make the step up to the competitive leagues, it would certainly not be a switch to a winter season.

“We currently compete in the North West Men's League under the auspices of the RFL.

“We are totally committed to summer rugby league. If we did step up to the competitive leagues it would be within this structure.

“More than 80 per cent of clubs in the north west are now playing summer rugby and I can assure you that a switch to winter is not a option for us and never will be.”