|
||
|
Club History |
||
|
||
|
The formation of our Club came in two parts. The beginning was largely indebted to Mr Bob Doughty who founded Birkdale Utd in the early 1970s. Blackpool Rangers JFC followed in the mid-1970s and owes its formation to the founder and original Chairman, Mr Neville Bannister. The following tells the story of Blackpool Rangers JFC and Birkdale Utd , as recounted by Mr David Bannister, and Mr Bob Doughty. Blackpool Rangers JFC Birkdale United was founded by Bob Doughty in 1970 and he put in a great deal of work to get the foundations in place for what was to come next. In the later half of the 1970's my brother Nev Bannister an ex player for Bolton Wanderers was approached and asked to be chairman of the club which was still called Birkdale. At the time the clubhouse was unfinished as funds had been exhausted and the teams were not doing too well, I remember that all the teams played in different coloured strips. "Nev and I both had dreams of running a completely junior club where all the funds went back into the club for the benefit of its junior players something we were not used to. Because of this dream my brother and myself joined Birkdale and without asking, many of the boys followed. My brother accepted the chairmanship on condition that the name of the club was changed (boys were rather tired of being called 'Birks' they said). Nev had connections at Blackpool Rangers and went to one of their meetings and asked permission to change the name to Blackpool Rangers Juniors. He was asked how much he wanted. He said nothing, "just your name". The club was now BLACKPOOL RANGERS JUNIOR FC. Our dream was realised and the money started to come in and we kitted out all the new teams in the new club colours blue with white trim. Each team did their own fund raising and inside a few months all teams boasted new tracksuits and bags. We organised trips abroad and indeed Blackpool Rangers Juniors had the honour of being one of the first official sporting visitors to our twin town of Bottrop where our under 11s and 14s were matched against sides of over 16s! But that is another story!! We had a civic reception at the town hall with great publicity. The fundraising was very hard work, but the parents were great and worked very hard, more so at the younger end. It took us 12 months to get the clubhouse into decent order and I was responsible for getting the money in. A massive garden party on the field raised us £1500 and many stars from the shows and the Blackpool FC Manager, Allan Brown and players came down to support us joining in a lot of the events. A well supported 250 club raised thousands, a couple of fund raising nights and Miles of Coins on Blackpool prom gave us enough money to complete the work which had been started and abandoned through lack of funds. The parent support as I said was unbelievable. All my parents were involved in some way and many became very close friends. It was more than football it was our social life too. Bob had at this time finished at the club but his efforts in forming the original Birkdale and his dream of success for the club were not forgotten and the committee decided to erect a plaque in his honour inside the club house which I hope is still there. Blackpool Rangers was 100% the brainchild of Nev Bannister who followed on the great work of Bob Doughty. He was supported strongly by Bryan Jones and myself and we are all I'm sure proud to have played our part". Birkdale United FC This Page is dedicated to Bob Doughty, the founder of the Club. The following account is told by Bob, before he died, of how Birkdale United came about. "The Club was initially formed during the close season 1970 as Birkdale United. The Parents and Club members financed the initial season by funds from a League organised sponsored walk. The Major Trophy (manufactured in India and South Africa) was supplied by Mr Ronnie Boyd, director of Durban City FC who also supplied the first set of shirts (Durban City Junior colours). contact with Mr Boyd was via Mr Harold Wright who worked with Ellerman Shipping Lines (Liverpool). A Committee of Parents and Friends was formed to organise fund raising and all other activities. An application was made to the UK Charity Board to hold a house to house collection throughout Bispham, which was granted. Lancashire Education and County Authorities were approached for permission to build a Clubhouse together with a lease of the land. Permission was granted for a 30 year lease. Plans were then drawn and submitted to Blackpool planning Office. Permission was then granted to build the Clubhouse. More funds were needed, so talent shows were organised at a number of Clubs throughout the area with 6 of the best going forward to the final held at the Central Working Men's Club. I had several talks with Mr Frank Carson, and he agreed to appear, and also to compere the show. The evening raised well over £800, building then began on the Clubhouse. Parents, players and committee Members pitched in to dig the trench for the foundations and also for the water and electrical supplies. During these hectic times the Senior Team Under 16s won the League, Hogan Cup, and the OpenTower Challenge Cup. We were definitely going places!. During those early years, parents, friends and the older boys helped magnificently to keep the Club heading 'onwards and upwards'. I hope those whose names escape me will forgive the lapse, however the major helpers over the period were: Mr & Mrs Jim Collins; Mr & Mrs Cotterill; Mr Ray Daniels; Mr Gordon Gregson; Mr Brian Jones; Mr Jim Stoney; Mr Gordon Wright; The original sponsors, Mr Ronnie Boyd & Mr Harold Wright Most of all my wife Beryl who helped in everything, and most Sunday nights was elbow deep in mud in the bath washing football strips. To everyone of the above, and to all the current helpers and officials of the Club, my heartfelt thanks for keeping this wonderful Club going" Bob Doughty (Founder)
|
||
|
|
| |
