Tag: Sports

Fleetwood’s Jane Couch Receives MBE

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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 »

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Course

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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 »

Blackpool Rugby Club

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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

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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 »

Common Edge Community Sports Village

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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 »

South Shore Cricket & Squash Club

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The South Shore Cricket & Squash Club, located on Common Edge Road in Blackpool, has been a cornerstone of the local sporting community for decades. While specific details about its founding are limited, the club has established itself as a friendly, sociable, and inclusive environment for both cricket and squash enthusiasts.​ The club came into being about 1916 and the members played their early cricket on a ground at Harrowside. In 1926, on gaining membership to the Palace Shield Division II, the Club moved to new quarters in Stanley Road. The club fields multiple cricket teams, including the 1st XI,... Read more »

Tour of Britain Cycle Race

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The Tour of Britain cycle race has long been a highlight of the British sporting calendar, drawing international and local talent to compete in a grueling test of endurance and speed. On 7 June 1964, the race made a memorable stop in Blackpool, a town synonymous with British seaside culture. Blackpool in the 1960s was a thriving hub of entertainment, tourism, and community spirit, and the town’s iconic landmarks, such as the Blackpool Tower and the bustling promenade, provided a dramatic backdrop to the race. Blackpool’s wide streets and the scenic coastal roads of Lancashire created a natural stage for… Read more »

Morris Minor competing at Blackpool Rally

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The image of T. Wagner’s Morris Minor in the Blackpool Rally of 1936 captures a vibrant moment from the early days of British motorsport. Organised by the Lancashire Automobile Club (LAC), the Blackpool Rally was a prestigious event that mirrored the style of the famed Monte Carlo Rally. This format blended competitive motoring with the allure of a glamorous destination, making it a major attraction for both participants and spectators. The rally was first held in 1936 and took place again in 1937 and 1939. Its absence in 1938 was due to the RAC Rally concluding in Blackpool that year,… Read more »

Veteran and Vintage Car Rally

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The Manchester to Blackpool Veteran and Vintage Car Rally of 1964 stands as a remarkable moment in the history of classic motoring events. Organised by the Lancashire Automobile Club, which continues to thrive today, the rally was a celebration of automotive heritage. That year’s event featured over 160 entries, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide to showcase their treasured vehicles. A standout scene from the rally, immortalised in photographs, showed a Ford Model T Fire Engine making its way along the Blackpool seafront, with the iconic Blackpool Tower providing a fitting backdrop. This annual rally, a highlight of the motoring… Read more »

Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre

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Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre was opened in June of 2011. The facility is situated in the heart of Bispham in the North of the town and brings together a range of different services all under one roof. In addition to all our leisure facilities listed below, Moor Park is also home to a Library, Cafe, and numerous health services. • 25m 6-Lane Swimming Pool • Family Learner Pool • Gym • Exercise Studio • Indoor Cycling Studio • Feel Good Factory • Sports Hall • Family Swimming Pool Changing Rooms • Health & Fitness Changing Rooms • Outdoor Basketball… Read more »