RUGBY League fanatics have launched an appeal to build improved facilities for their club – the only one of its kind in Bury.

Award-winning rugby league team Bury Broncos, which was formed in 2008, wants to transform its crumbling base into a community hub which is fit for purpose.

Since 2011, the club has used the 1930s-built cricket pavilion in the ‘paddock’ at Phillips High School in Higher Lane, Whitefield.

But Broncos bosses want to transform the pavilion, which is currently in need of repair, to create a fit-for-purpose home for the future.

The club has launched an online appeal to pay for the renovations, which include removing an internal wall to create one large clubroom and building a kitchen.

Bury Broncos chairman Ryan Lewis said he hoped the club would be able to put some of its reserves towards the project, but urged members of the public to help.

He said: “No one played rugby league in Bury before 2008 - now 200 people, aged 7 to over 50, play every week!

“It is great we have grown so quickly – we are now used as an example of a successful club by the Rugby Football League and we want to keep pushing forward.

“Simply, we want more kids playing rugby league. Our aim is to keep growing and create a child-friendly home for the club.

“There is nothing better than seeing kids active, engaged and enjoying themselves.”

Bury Broncos established a junior arm in 2012 and now boasts three adult teams and multiple youth teams – with new age categories planned for this year.

Members were initially quoted more than £21,000 to renovate the pavilion, but think by enlisting volunteers to do most of the work they can reduce the bill to around £10,000.

An initial £3,500 target will pay for the project to get underway – with the main building works expected to cost more £7,600 in total.

So far more than £1,000 has been donated, with a race night at the club raising more than £500 and a £1,000 grant from Bury Council also received.

Mr Lewis added: “We want our base to be sustainable – something the whole community can use and enjoy.

“The club is desperate to complete the renovations before the end of the year.”

To make a donation or find out more about sponsorship opportunities: go to crowdfunder.co.uk/burybroncos or search Bury Broncos Rugby League on Facebook.