PENDLE Phoenix Rugby Club have been forced to fold due to a lack of players but they are not ruling out rising from the ashes.

The club, formed 10 years ago, has enjoyed a meteoric rise, clinching seven promotions since its formation as a breakaway club from Colne and Nelson RUFC.

But after winning the North Lancs Two title in 2014/15, Pendle suffered a nightmare campaign in the newly formed Lancashire North division as they finished bottom of the table and struggled to get a full team out. The club had to forfeit one game simply because they could not get enough players while other matches they turned up under-manned and under strength.

Vice chairman Shawn Moss, who also plays, said early season injuries hit them hard and they never really recovered.

“We are a one team club so we do not have the strength in depth of other clubs,” said Moss.

“Whereas others can draft in Second team players we did not have that luxury.

“We lost several players early on in the season to injuries and we never really recovered. It is a shame it has come to this but it wasn’t fair on us as we could not give a true reflection of the club and it wasn’t fair on the teams we were playing against.”

Moss says the players remaining have all found new clubs and Pendle will now consider what to do next.

“It has only recently happened so we are not too sure about the future,” he said.

“We would like to get up and running again and get all the players back together but we will just have to wait and see.”