YORK Lokomotive ARLC have quit the Yorkshire Men's League - with the club now looking set to fold.

The Lokos enjoyed a super start to the year - including lifting their first-ever pieces of silverware with the North Yorkshire Invitational Cup and Selby & District Plate - and they had planned to enter a second team in the YML's merit league given they had 42 players registered.

But in recent months they have had to postpone matches after struggling to raise a side.

They have played five times in YML division three, winning twice.

Lokos chiefs made the decision after this weekend's scheduled game was called off. It brings to an end a decade of league action for the then expansion club, which originally formed out of the ashes of the old York Groves outfit in partnership with York RI sports club.

They have pledged to fulfil York & District Cup fixtures and want to arrange friendly fixtures, but their future is otherwise unclear.

A statement from the club said: "It is with deep regret the York Lokomotive committee announce we are withdrawing from the Yorkshire Men’s League with immediate effect.

"After a magnificent start to 2018, being triumphant in two cup competitions, over recent months it has become more and more difficult to raise a team. We as a club have always taken great pride in fulfilling fixtures, something that has recently become increasingly unviable.

"With 42 open age players signed on, we felt we were in a strong position to be competitive in 2018 but that was not to be.

"With an increasing injury list, a poor attitude towards commitment and generally more options open to players during the summer months, we on a regular basis only had a single figure of players available.

"This constant chase became more and more frustrating to the committed players, coaching staff and volunteers, which ultimately started taking the enjoyment out of what should be associated with community sport.

"In the committee's opinion it is a worrying time for community sport, not only rugby league. On a weekly basis long established clubs and organisations at all levels are folding."

The statement added: "It has been an absolutely fantastic 10 years at York Lokomotive with memories made, achievements attained, friends made for life, and much more that we are incredibly proud of.

"We will lick our wounds, look to play ad hoc friendly fixtures and fulfil York & District Cup fixtures and generally consider all options open to us. We aspire to continue our journey in the near future."

The statement thanked players, coaches, committee members, sponsors, volunteers, supporters and families, and said quitting the league was "heartbreaking".

It added: "We wish all other clubs within York & District and beyond the best of luck and success in the future.

"Hopefully we’ll be back."