Tag: Sports

Stanley Matthews Honoured

Stanley Matthews was born in Hanley, Stoke on Trent in 1915. His father, a professional boxer known as ‘The Fighting Barber’, instilled a lifelong dedication to training in the young Stan. From the age of six onwards Stanley did deep breathing exercises, chest expanding and skipping, and walked everywhere. In 1948, Stanley Matthews achieved a historic milestone by being named the inaugural English Footballer of the Year, a recognition of his remarkable skill and influence on the field. That same year, he also made his debut in the FA Cup Final for Blackpool FC, marking the beginning of his three… Read more »

St Annes Kite Festival

The St. Anne’s Kite Festival is a beloved annual event that lights up the skies over St. Anne’s beach, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. The festival owes its current success to Patrick May, a local primary school teacher whose passion for kite flying was sparked by a single visit to the Catch the Wind Festival in Morecambe. Inspired by the experience, Patrick didn’t just take up kite flying as a hobby; he took it a step further and decided to revive the St. Anne’s Kite Festival in 2012 alongside his wife, Jenny. With the help of international kite experts… Read more »

Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10k Fun Run

The Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K Fun Run is a celebrated annual event that takes place along Blackpool’s stunning seafront every May. This 10K run, organized by Trinity Hospice and sponsored by Beaverbrooks, has been a staple of Blackpool’s event calendar since it first began in 1983, thanks to the involvement of Andrew Brown MBE, Beaverbrooks’ former chairman. The run draws participants from all over the UK, offering a mix of fitness, charity, and community spirit, all set against the backdrop of Blackpool’s famous promenade. Unlike many charity runs, the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K Fun Run allows participants to choose which charity they… Read more »

Blackpool’s Strongest Man

Strongmen from across the county came together to compete for the title of Blackpool’s Strongest Man. Among them was Greg “Man Mountain” Dunnings, a veteran strongman who also works for a charity. Standing 6’7″ and weighing 25 stone of pure muscle, 23-year-old Greg aimed to be recognized as one of the UK’s strongest juniors. He organized the event, designing a range of challenging strength tests, including the “Truck Pull,” “Conan’s Wheel,” “Farmer’s Walk,” and “Yoke Carry,” for a thrilling display of strength that was sure to draw a large crowd. Held in St John’s Square in Blackpool on June 20,… Read more »

Blackpool Beach Volleyball

Competitors gathered in Blackpool for an international beach volleyball tournament. This was the first time the Nestea European Tour held a round in the UK, with VisitBlackpool and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) hosting. The event was part of a £3.5 million NWDA investment to support major events in Blackpool as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration efforts. The three-day tournament took place on six specially constructed courts, requiring 1,200 tonnes of sand, a 2,000-seat stand, and floodlights. With a prize fund of 100,000 Euros (£79,209) and Olympic qualifying points at stake, Britain’s top male and female players competed… Read more »

Lytham Cricket Club

Lytham Cricket Club was established in 1855 by Squire Clifton from Lytham Hall. After 91 years of playing friendly matches, the club joined the Manchester & District Association in 1946. In 1963, the estate, including the cricket ground, was sold to the Guardian Royal Insurance Company. By 1967, the club expanded to include cricket, tennis, hockey, and soccer, and by the late 1980s, the club had bought the ground, securing its future for cricket. First-class cricket arrived at Lytham in the early 1980s, though benefit and second XI county matches had already been held there. The inaugural County Championship match… Read more »

Lytham YMCA Sports Hall

The YMCA was originally established in 1922, operating from a modest hut on Squires Gate Lane. During the Second World War, it played a crucial role in supporting troops, providing much-needed services and facilities for those stationed in the area. As its impact grew, so did the need for larger premises, leading to its relocation to St Alban’s Road in Lytham St Annes, where it could better serve the community. Today, YMCA Lytham has evolved into a multi-purpose leisure centre and sports facility, located at the far end of Lytham. The centre caters to individuals of all ages and abilities,… Read more »

Fylde Rugby Club

Fylde Rugby Union Club, operates from the Woodlands Memorial Ground on Blackpool Road in Ansdell. The first team competes in National League 2 North, which is the fourth tier of the English rugby union system, following their relegation from National League 1 at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season. The club also fields two additional senior teams: the Hawks and the Vandals, which compete in the English North West Leagues, specifically in the NW Premiership and NW3 North, respectively. Additionally, there is a thriving Mini Junior Section and a Colts team that participates in the Lancashire & Cheshire regional leagues. Fylde Rugby Club was established… Read more »

AFC Fylde at Mill Farm

Mill Farm Sports Village, situated on the outskirts of Wesham in the Borough of Fylde, Lancashire, England, is a comprehensive multi-sport facility. It features the Mill Farm football stadium, which has been the home of AFC Fylde since 2016, along with several 3G football and hockey pitches. AFC Fylde initially announced plans to relocate from their former ground at Kellamergh Park in Warton to a new site on 19 January 2008. In February 2010, the club revealed plans for a new Community Sports Complex in Wrea Green. However, Fylde Council rejected the planning application in April 2012. On 3 September… Read more »

Tee Time Golf Centre

We are a driving range based just outside the town centre of Blackpool! We have a short but well maintained 9 hole golf course with an average length of 135 yards per hole! Perfect for your short game practice if you play regular but also ideal for your first time golfers who find the bigger golf courses a little daunting.