New Springs Lions Rugby League Club says Labour candidate and sitting Aspull New Springs and Whelley councillor John Hilton should be sin-binned for including a testimonial from them in his newsletter.

The leaflet, which has been distributed door-to-door in the area, claims that New Springs Lions want to thank Coun Hilton for his support, including the help to raise cash to send a team on a tour of Russia.

The leaflet then states: "The Lions are backing John in his election campaign."
But club secretary Nick Clark says that the club has given no such backing.

Mr Clark said: "We have always been and will always be strictly non-political. The club is lucky to have enjoyed support from all councillors and all parties across the spectrum and we are sure that will continue in the future.

"I have seen the leaflet and I would say that this is an oversight by our chairman, who has taken it upon himself to speak to Coun Hilton and to give a personal opinion and not the opinion or endorsement of the club itself.

"That should have been made clear if it was being used in this way and unfortunately it is just a pity that it hasn't been on this occasion."

Trevor Beswick, the Lib Dem agent for the candidate Alan Robinson, said that they were surprised to see Labour claiming that the rugby club was supporting one specific candidate.

He insisted his party and councillors had a "great record" of supporting grass roots sports clubs.

He said: "I rang them and asked what was going on and I got a very angry response. They confirmed that the club accepts help from all political parties for the sake of the club and is not political and the contents of the leaflet had not been authorised at a meeting.

A spokesman for Coun Hilton's Labour re-election campaign said: "We printed this leaflet with the support and backing of the group. We don't want to politicise the group and we will continue to support The Lions in future."

Candidates in Aspull, New Springs and Whelley ward are John Hilton (Lab), Anthony Hind (Con), Alan Robinson (Lib Dem).