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…
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 »
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 »
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, 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 »
Jane Couch MBE, born on 14 August 1968 in Fleetwood, Lancashire, overcame a tumultuous youth and went on to pioneer women’s professional boxing in the United Kingdom. Expelled from school in Blackpool, Couch described her early years as marked by “a life of booze, drugs, and street fighting.” Her life took a dramatic turn at the age of 26 when she watched a television documentary about women’s boxing. Inspired, she entered the world of combat sports, beginning with a Muay Thai fight in which she defeated a policewoman—an experience she described as exhilarating. Couch became the first licensed female professional… Read more »
Founded in 1886, Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is one of the most prestigious Championship links courses in the world, known for its challenging design and rich history. It has hosted eleven Open Championships, two Ryder Cups, and numerous other major tournaments, including the Women’s Open, Senior Open, and The Walker Cup. The course is renowned for its 174 strategically placed pot bunkers, which create formidable hazards and test even the most skilled golfers. While not directly on the coast, it is close enough to be affected by the sea breeze, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Surrounded… Read more »
In 1959, a group of former students from St. Joseph’s College, Blackpool, formed a rugby club known initially as the Old Josephians. Over time, the club evolved, first becoming the Josephians and later transforming into what is now known as Blackpool Rugby Club. The genesis of the club can be credited to Jack McCann, a distinguished member of the Manchester and District Society of Referees and an alumnus of St. Joseph’s College. Upon returning to the area in the late 1950s, McCann became an active member of the St. Joseph’s College Old Boys Association. He brought with him a fresh… Read more »
Fleetwood Town Football Club, based in the coastal town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, is a professional football club competing in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Known affectionately as The Cod Army by their supporters, the club also retains its traditional nickname, The Fishermen. They play their home matches at Highbury Stadium, wearing their iconic red shirts with white sleeves and white shorts. The club has a storied history, with the current Fleetwood Town F.C. being the fourth iteration since the original club was established in 1908. The original Fleetwood team achieved early success by winning the Lancashire… Read more »
In 2023, a state-of-the-art £6 million Community Sports Village opened at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, marking the completion of the first phase of the zone’s development. The Common Edge Community Sports Village is a flagship facility, boasting 14 new grass football pitches, a full-sized floodlit 3G football pitch, a floodlit rugby pitch with a dedicated training area, and a modern sports pavilion designed to support both athletes and the wider community. The pavilion features six spacious changing rooms, two officials’ rooms, two kitchens, and a large community room, offering a welcoming and practical space for teams and local residents alike…. Read more »