Tag: Sports

Revoe Sports Village

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The Revoe Sports Village is a major community development project in Blackpool aimed at revitalising the Revoe area with enhanced sports and recreational facilities. It is part of Blackpool’s £39.5 million Town Deal, with £6.5 million specifically allocated for the sports village. The project involves creating community sports pitches and other amenities to promote physical activity and social engagement. It is closely linked with Blackpool Football Club’s plans to construct a new East Stand at Bloomfield Road, enhancing the club’s infrastructure while providing additional community benefits. However, as of January 2025, the project has faced delays due to escalating costs,… Read more »

Mac Barlow Becomes Manager of Blackpool FC Ladies

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Mac Barlow was born on 31 May 1967 in Blackpool and is an English football manager and former football player. She became the manager of Blackpool FC Ladies in May 2009 and is well known amongst women’s football fans, having had a long playing career. For more on women’s football, have a look at our post featuring a 1937 match between France and England in Blackpool. Barlow played for Preston Rangers WFC and was part of the team reached the semi-finals of the FA Women’s Cup in 1982–83 and 1989–90, where she played left back. In 1997, they became Preston… Read more »

Women’s Football in Blackpool

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The early beginnings of organised women’s football trace back to the late 19th century, a time when the sport was still finding its footing among male players. The first recorded women’s match took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 7 May, 1881. This game featured teams representing Scotland and England and was a bold step in introducing women to the football scene. However, it was not without challenges. The match faced disruption from the crowd, and societal attitudes at the time were largely dismissive of women participating in such a physically demanding activity. By the 1890s, efforts to formalise women’s football… Read more »

Gerry North Wins Two Major Titles in One Year

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Born in Chester in 1936, Gerry North had a distinguished career as a long-distance runner, representing several clubs including Blackpool and Fylde AC, Belgrave Harriers, and City of Portsmouth AC. His impressive personal bests included 3:57.2 for 1500m, 14:06.1 for 5000m, and 29:06.2 for 10,000m. In 1962, he gained national recognition for his victory in the English Championship cross-country event near Blackpool, defeating European three-mile record-holder Bruce Tulloh by two seconds in a thrilling race. North’s win, along with his inter-counties title in the same year, marked a rare and significant achievement. Though small in stature, Gerry North was known… Read more »

Clive Tyldesley Joins ITV as Senior Sports Commentator

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Clive Tyldesley (born 21 August 1954) is a renowned English sports commentator, best known for his long tenure as ITV’s senior football commentator from 1998 to 2020. Over the course of his career, he covered five World Cups, five European Championships, 17 UEFA Champions League finals, and nine FA Cup finals, making him one of the most recognisable voices in British sports broadcasting. Tyldesley currently serves as the lead commentator for CBS Sports’ live UEFA Champions League coverage in the United States and also contributes to Amazon Prime’s Premier League broadcasts. In 2021, he published his first book, Not for… Read more »

Ross Goodwin Starts Judo Academy

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Ross Goodwin started Kaidokan Judo Academy in Blackpool in late 2015. Within a short time from opening, the academy achieved tremendous success within the community by being awarded the area's Community Sports Club of the Year along with the Area and Regional Coach of the Year Awards (Fylde, Blackpool & Lancashire twice). Goodwin is also a current world champion in professional wrestling who regularly appears on Sky TV.  He placed 2nd in the prestigious Mr. British Isles Swimwear competition and is a 2nd Dan Black belt Judo champion with extensive experience/victories as a competitor in Boxing, MMA and Brazilian Jitsu. He has been... Read more »

George Eastham Helps England Win 1966 World Cup

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George Eastham, OBE (born 23 September 1936 in Blackpool), is a former English footballer best known for his spells with Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Stoke City. A member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad, he is also remembered for his role in a landmark 1963 legal case that reshaped football by granting players greater freedom of movement between clubs. Coming from a footballing family, Eastham’s father, George Eastham Sr., was an England international who played for Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool FC, while his uncle, Harry Eastham, played for Liverpool and Accrington Stanley. As a youngster, George was also a talented… Read more »

St Annes Old Links

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Founded in 1901, St Annes Old Links is one of the finest championship golf courses on England’s north-west coast. Nestled in the historic golfing region of Lancashire, this revered links course boasts a rich heritage and a reputation for excellence. The club takes great pride in its meticulously maintained 6,907-yard, par-72 Championship Links course, which offers a true test of golf for players of all levels. Over the years, St Annes Old Links has played an integral role in the world of championship golf, hosting numerous prestigious tournaments. The club has been a Final Qualifying venue for The Open on… Read more »

Blackpool’s Joe Riley Plays for Manchester United

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Joe Riley, born on 6 December 1996 in Blackpool, is an English professional footballer known for his versatility, playing as both a full-back and midfielder. Currently, he represents National League side AFC Fylde. Riley began his footballing journey at Manchester United, initially as a midfielder before being transitioned into a left-back role for the under-21 team. Riley made his senior debut for Manchester United on 22 February 2016 in a 3–0 FA Cup victory against Shrewsbury Town, coming on as a substitute. Four days later, he earned his first start in a UEFA Europa League fixture against Midtjylland, where Marcus… Read more »

Daniel J Whiston – Skating His Way into our Hearts

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Daniel J. Whiston, born on 21 November 1976 in Blackpool, is a celebrated professional ice skater and television personality. The son of Marj and William Whiston, Daniel has been closely associated with the Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Ice Arena, where he began skating at age seven and performed in numerous productions. He made his debut in the arena’s show at 18 and later toured North America with Grease on Ice. Until 2006, Whiston starred in the Pleasure Beach’s Hot Ice Show, with his performances featured on DVDs such as Quixotic, Xylatomia, and Chill. In television, Whiston gained fame through his involvement in… Read more »