GEORGE IV have dominated the Burnley and District Sunday League in recent years so it was fitting they signed off in style by winning an ‘historic’ double treble.

The six-times Premier League champions, who have decided to call it a day, became the first team in the league to win back-to-back clean sweeps.

Having wrapped up the title last month and then lifted the Towneley Cup for a fifth time, the all-conquering George IV completed the set with a hard-fought 4-1 win over Craven Heifer at Padiham FC.

It was the sixth time they had won the Premier Division Cup - named in memory of former league chairman, Ray Ryland - which added to the clutch of league and cup titles they have won coming up through the divisions since forming in 2006/07.

The final outcome may suggest a one-sided affair but that was not the case as Craven Heifer had George worried at the break, with the scores at 1-1 and the league runners-up arguably on top at the halfway stage.

And the fact that centre back Luke Thompson was George IV’s best player - despite Danny Green and substitute Ben Davies both scoring twice - showed just how hard the champions had to work for their win.

Thompson was excellent, especially in the first half, where he had a real battle with Craven’s loan striker Luke Riley before playing a key role in George’s vital second goal, heading against the post before Davies scored.

Craven had started the brighter of the two teams, and George keeper Aiden McVay had to be alert to race off his line to deny Riley after latching on to a through ball from Brad Cookson.

Riley then fired across the George goal from wide on the right.

But the champions were always a threat going forward and Billy Lane - who was a tireless and willing runner throughout the final - drilled in one low cross from the right that Tom Boyle did well to clear before playing in Morrison whose just missed the target.

George’s next chance came from a Craven Heifer corner.

Dale Hudson’s centre was blocked and his follow up cross was intercepted by Green, who raced to the edge of the Craven area before squaring the ball to captain Michael Morrison, but his shot was well saved by Bond.

But they were ahead in their next attack.

Left back Nathan Lawless pinged a beautiful ball up to Micky Woodvine, whose cushioned header fell into the path of Green, who cut inside his marker and bent a shot inside the far post.

Craven hit back and after Riley was twice denied, once by McVay and another Morrison tackle, the Craven striker finally got his goal, scoring with a superb overhead kick after James Craggs flicked on a corner from Hudson.

Craven finished the half strongly with Hudson whipping in a low cross across the face of goal while George tried their luck from range with Lawless and Maxwell both testing the keeper.

The champions mixed things up at the break and Davies entered the fray and made a big impact.

After Craven had a goal ruled out for offside, from the resulting free kick, Maxwell pumped the ball in to the area and although Thompson’s header hit the post, Davies was on hand to nod past the keeper.

George were now back in control and went 3-1 up when Davies was fouled by Josh Boyle in the area and Green fired home the spot.

Craven kept on attacking but Thompson was in no mood to let them through, denying both Hudson and Riley clean strikes on goal.

And George IV wrapped up victory and another treble when Morrison threaded a ball through to Davies, who curled his shot around the advancing keeper.

The final finished on a low point when Craven substitute Jack Fairburn suffered a suspected broken arm.

Darren Hunt, assistant to George IV manager Keiron Carroll, was delighted to finish on a high.

“It was a great way to finish but we all agree the time was right,” said Hunt who was the original manager. “I’ve made loads of friends over the years and we have plenty of happy memories.”