There are plenty of things to do in Blackpool on the sporting front. We have listed a number of the more popular activities and places that Blackpool is well known for. Golf, soccer, fishing, tennis, water sports and more…..
Football.
Britain’s most popular spectator sport is football and Blackpool wont’ disappoint as it has a rich heritage reaching back to 1877. The clubs first ground was on Blackpool’s Field, off Caunce Street, Blackpool. The first decade saw the closure of the Victoria Club and the formation of the Blackpool St Johns team. In 1887 a dispute amoung the players led to a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Samuel Bancroft where it was passed – “That a club be formed to be known as Blackpool Football Club”.
In 1888 the club became founder members of the Lancashire League. In May 1896 Blackpool F.C. became a Limited Company with a capital of £2,000 in £1 shares and a few months later made a successful application to join the Football League. The club’s Football League status was lost in 1899 and the club spent another season in the Lancashire League. The demise, however, was short-lived and the club was re-elected in 1900 and has maintained its League status up to the present time.
F.A. Cup Winners: 1952-53,F.A. Cup Finalists: 1947-48,1950-5,1 First Division Runners-Up: 1955-56, Second Division Champions: 1929-30, Second Division Runners-Up: 1936-37,1969-70, Fourth Division Runners-Up: 1984-85, Fourth Division Play-Off Winners: 1991-92, Anglo-Italian Cup Winners: 1970-71, Anglo-Italian Cup Runners-Up: 1971-72, Central League Champions: 1919-20,1949-50, Lancs F.A. Youth Cup Winners:1985-86, Marsden Lancashire Cup Winners: 1993-94,1994-95,1995-96, Lancs Cup Winners: 1935-36,1936-37,1953-54
Blackpool Sports Centre.
West Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 9HQ – England, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1253 478470 – Fax: +44 (0)1253 478477
Blackpool Sports Centre is located close to Stanley Park, and is a very well-equipped and well-funded centre, with something for everyone. Facilities include climbing walls, sports halls equipped for basketball, football, volleyball, indoor hockey and badminton, and has staff offering training in martial arts, fitness training and sports.
The centre is often used by local groups to run courses, and is available for hire for conferences and meetings. Blackpool Sports Centre is the ideal place for some sporty R & R, or that important meeting.
Golf.
Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club
8 miles south of Blackpool. Easily accessible by train
Links Gate
Lytham St Annes
England
FY8 3LQ
Just south of Blackpool lies St Annes, which is home to the Royal Lytham and St Anne’s golf course. Ten British opens have been played there. One of the most memorable opens occured here when Seve Ballesteros dramatically won. His repertoire of winning shots included one out of the Car Park.
At a hundred pounds a round for visitors (mon-thurs) you would want to be serious about your golf to play the immaculate course. On the other hand you will find 50 or more golf courses within 20 miles of the Open course.
Blackpool North Shore Golf Club.
North Blackpool on A587 behind North Prom.
Undulating parkland.
18 holes 6431 yards. S.S.S. 71.
Address
Devonshire Road
Blackpool
England
FY2 0RD
Blackpool Park Golf Club.
One mile east of Tower.
Parkland course.
18 holes 6089 yards. S.S.S. 69.
Address
North Park Drive
Blackpool
England
FY3 8LS
Fishing.
There is good fishing to be had in the part of the world, with both freshwater and sea fish providing sport and food for the table. From rays to large cod you can expect to catch a plethora of English species.
We would recommend calling an angling supplies shop to get the latest information on where and when to fish and which bait to use. Also check out local forums as anglers often post useful comments.
Anglers World
183 Preston Old Rd
Blackpool FY3 9SF
Tel. 01253 764505
Lakeside Fisheries
New Hall Av
Blackpool FY4 5HY
Tel. 01253 765498
Ice Skating and Bowling.
The kids will love this at Blackpool pleasure beach. The Arena is an Ice Theatre so those who don’t wish to participate in skating can watch in comfort. Private lessons and private hire is available.
The Arena also has a smaller ice rink called The Arosa Ice Rink which is available for public skating and private hire.
For skating times call 01253 341707.
The Bowladrome is family bowling centre. Combine the two for a great day out.
General Activities.
Including bowls, municipal tennis, crazy golf etc can be found at Stanley Park. Stroll through pathways galore and relax in its many and various quiet corners. Watch the fountains in the Italian Gardens, admire the perfumed glory of the Rose Gardens, or check out the species growing in the colourful conservatories.
We’ve got the most graceful birds on our very own Swan Lake and there’s a playground for the kids to let off steam. Crazy golf will have everyone smiling or try your hand at tennis, pitch and putt or crown bowling.