NEW Pendle coach Simon Entwistle wants to build a 'legacy' at the Lancashire North outfit, which will start with regaining the club's good name within Rugby Football Union circles.

Entwistle, a former Preston Grashoppers star, is in his first senior coaching position at the Phoenix at the age of 46, having combined still turning out for Rossendale 3rd XV with coaching their under-13s until the end of last year.

But he has stepped into the breach at Pendle after they came close to folding towards the end of 2015, replacing South African Getty Schinkel who stepped down due to work commitments.

"About five or six weeks before Christmas they were going to fold and disappear," said Entwistle, as Pendle dealt with the fallout of a 20 point deduction from the RFU for failing to fulfill fixtures.

"When I found out they might be folding and they had lost interest I gave them a call and had a meeting with them.

"I started about four weeks before Christmas as a bit of a trial period and in the last three or four weeks it's become permanent."

Since taking over at Pendle Entwistle has been delighted with the commitment and attitude of his players.

"They've got the right attitude, there's some great athletes and some great rugby players," he said. "There's the right sort of mix to become a good team.

"Hopefully I can bring in one or two more players just to strengthen the team and bolster the squad.

"We're training twice a week and we're getting 12 to 14 people there every training session, which is relatively unheard off.

"I want us to play a brand of rugby that is exciting and open and encompasses all the team and they're buying into it really well.

"I'm just one part of the process, they needed a bit of guidance and structure, and hopefully we've turned a corner and we can revitalise and reinvigorate the club."

Entwistle works for the RFU, helping to coach in schools, and is also involved with Lancashire Under-15s.

His first game in charge of Phoenix ended in a 28-24 defeat to Garstang, but last Saturday they beat North Manchester 63-10 to move into positive points again after the deduction.

"The RFU docked us 20 points, which planted us firmly at the bottom of the league," said Entwistle.

"As a club we're going to honour all those fixtures. Nobody will lose out and hopefully we can regain our good name within the RFU."

And off the field Entwistle is hoping to see improvements as well, with Pendle currently playing at Swinden Playing Fields, in Nelson.

"I want to start a legacy here, we get our own ground and our own clubhouse. I want to address that, we'll have our own identity then, so watch this space," he said.