WHINNEY Hill are the East Lancashire League history boys after clinching a unique treble without losing a single game.

The all-conquering Hyndburn team won the Second Division title, the Bob Little Cup - for second tier teams - and completed the clean sweep by adding the President’s Cup.

It was the first time any side had achieved such a feat since the league was formed in 1981.

It was also the first time a Second Division team had won both the Bob Little Cup and President’s Cup in the same season.

“It is a remarkable feat and as far as we are aware, the first time the treble has been achieved,” said league secretary Peter Hargreaves. “Obviously, only Second Division teams can do the treble so for Whinney Hill to win the President’s Cup is an achievement in itself.

“So to win the treble, and without losing a game, is something special.”

In total, Whinney player 16 league games - winning 13 and drawing three - three in the Bob Little Cup and four in the President’s Cup.

They wrapped up the title a few weeks ago, eventually finishing eight points clear of AFC Darwen, before turning their attention to the cup competitions.

Manager Mike Price, who is Whinney Hill through and through, was full of praise for his players.

“I could not have asked any more from them,”said, Price whose grandfather was a founder member of the club. “When we won the league, I said that the treble was a possibility and the players deserve credit for never slacking off.

“They have worked incredible hard and have been fully committed throughout the season. They have turned up for every game and given their all. They are smashing bunch of lads.”

However, Hill had to work for their cup successes, beating Rishton United 4-1 in the Bob Little Cup - a scoreline that did not tell the full story - then, two days later, overcoming First Division opposition in Ossie St Mary’s 2-1 in the President’s Cup final.

In the Bob Little Cup, Rishton dominated for large periods but Whinney Hill were clinical, converting chances that came their way - the mark of true champions. After Karl Andrews, Matt Pendergast and Sam Mellor all went close for Rishton, Whinney Hill took the lead when Luke Rodgers deflected Nick Hewison’s drilled cross in to his own goal.

Jack Holligan doubled the lead, the first of his hat-trick, with a well struck effort but Rishton pulled one back through Liam Hutchinson’s penalty.

Rishton continued to created chances, Huchinson going closest hitting the post from a free kick but Whinney Hill kept them at bay and scored twice more after the break when Holligan completed his hat-trick.

Ossie St Mary’s as expected were the biggest threat to those treble hopes. After Carl McDonald fired Hill ahead, the Saints pulled level.

But fittingly it was left to 39-goal leading scorer Ben Leather to net the winner and create a little bit of history.