YOUNG rugby players launched a 'save our club' campaign this week as the future of Silsden Park Rangers hung in the balance.

The 80-year-old rugby league club is teetering on the brink of collapse after a string of senior players decided to hang up their boots.

The team won the Pennine League's fourth division championship last season and were looking forward to the new challenge of life in Division Three, lbut the loss of several older players has left the club struggling to raise a team.

"We have some very talented young players coming through, but we need one or two older heads to help stear them to success," said club treasurer Les Pyrah.

In recent years the club has seen a number of their more successful players leave to play a higher standard of rugby with Keighley Albion, but there is now a gap in the ranks.

"We were unable to raise a team last week and it looks like we will also have to call off this week's fixture.

"If we miss three games we will be unable to continue in the league and we want to see rugby league continue in Silsden and add to the strength of the game throughout the district.

"We would like to hear from any ex-players prepared to help out, or anyone else who would like to play the game locally," Les said.

He added: "We have several very talented youngplayers and it would be a tragedy if they were to be lost to the game, we just need some help through a difficult period."

Mr Pyrah can be contacted on 01535-653519.