BOB Wilkinson has played at rugby clubs up and down the country but as far as he is concerned, Clitheroe is home from home.

The Wigan-born forward has played for his home town team, Durham and Ashby - but the little club at Littlemoor is the pick of the bunch.

He said: "My work has taken me up and down the country but as far as I am concerned Clitheroe is the nicest I have played for.

"It's a friendly, family club and it is as grassroots as it gets."

The big second row, currently in to his second spell at the club, has seen big changes in the seven years he spent away from Littlemoor.

For starters, the dreaded portacabin dressing rooms have gone and have been replaced by an impressive clubhouse used by the whole community.

"The only people who would have been seen in those old dressing rooms were rugby players," said the 34-year-old.

"No-one else would go near them.

"Now, with the new clubhouse, there is a real sense of serving the community."

The club is now used by pre-school groups, slimmers clubs, Duke of Edinburgh schemes and countless functions and receptions.

The club has also built up a strong junior section - soon to be boosted by an RFU community coach - and has two senior sides.

"The junior side of the club is real thriving," said Wilkinson who is a member of the club's committee. "We have players from seven to 16-years-old and next year we are hoping to run a Colts side."

The only thing that is missing is a first team win. Clitheroe have suffered five defeats out of five in North Lancs Two. While Wilkinson believes that first win is just around the corner, he admits the losing run is having an affect on the players.

He said: "Losing all the time does get to the lads and affects their confidence, especially the younger ones.

"But I am sure that first win is not too far away and once it comes we'll go on a bit of a run."