| Whether you're the sporty type who loves to | | | | perfect for just such an occasion. |
| compete or are more of a spectator who enjoys the | | | | One of the best parks is Stanley Park, one of the |
| vicarious thrill of watching competition, Blackpool has | | | | most beautiful parks in Blackpool which stretches to |
| a lot to offer you. | | | | over 256 acres of scenic parkland. Not only does it |
| Blackpool has many sports centres that promote | | | | have lots of space for football, it also has its own |
| sports like football, darts, cricket or badminton as well | | | | cafe where players can grab a quick drink to freshen |
| as a few football pitches, junior teams and a | | | | up. |
| Coca-Cola League Division side. | | | | Anyone can see that the spirit of sport is alive and |
| The Blackpool Sports Centre on West Drive is one of | | | | well in Blackpool every time the city's professional |
| the town's most popular sports venues. It provides | | | | football team, the Blackpool FC aka the Tangerines, |
| facilities for football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, | | | | compete, with throngs of boisterous fans coming out |
| indoor hockey, wall climbing, martial arts and netball. | | | | to cheer them on. |
| Blackpool has two public swimming pools for those | | | | The Tangerines were formed in 1887 but did not get |
| who prefer to do their exercising in the water. These | | | | to play in the football league until 1903. They toiled in |
| are the Lido Pool on Lytham Road and the Moor Park | | | | the second division for many years, during which time |
| Swimming Pool on Bristol Avenue. On the other hand, | | | | the club was often saddled by debts while only a |
| if it's a weekend and you have the kids in tow, | | | | few loyal supporters cheered them on. |
| perhaps the venue of choice for water fun is the | | | | Blackpool FC finally got its big break in 1929-30 when |
| Sandcastle Waterworld on the Promenade. It has a | | | | it was promoted to Division One as champions. |
| number of popular water slides and a wave pool. | | | | However, they would only stay there for three brief |
| With an eight-rink bowling stadium, the Blackpool | | | | seasons before falling back to the second division. |
| Borough Indoor Bowls Centre on Larkhill Street is the | | | | Their next breakthrough would come in 1936-37 |
| ideal venue for crown green bowling, whether it's for | | | | when they would once again climb up to Division One. |
| competitive team matches or laid-back family fun. | | | | This time, they would remain among the top tier |
| If golf is your game, Blackpool has a number of | | | | teams for the next 25 years. |
| top-flight golf clubs that are certain to capture your | | | | After World War II, Blackpool FC would sign |
| fancy. The two most popular ones are the North | | | | sensational striker Stanley Matthews, nicknamed The |
| Shore Golf Club and the Fleetwood Golf Club, both | | | | Wizard of the Dribble for his skill at soccer, and he |
| 18-hole 71 par courses. Casual golfers will enjoy the | | | | would lead them to great prosperity and success. |
| 18-hole Stanley Park Golf Course. | | | | The number of Blackpool FC supporters ballooned |
| Blackpool also has its own elite cricket team that | | | | during this time. |
| competes in the Northern Premier League against the | | | | Blackpool FC would reach the pinnacle of their |
| likes of Fleetwood, Barrow and Lancaster. That's the | | | | success in 1953 when they won the FA Cup final at |
| Blackpool Cricket Club which is based at Stanley Park. | | | | Wembley via a 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers. |
| Darts is also a major sport in Blackpool, especially | | | | What made the win even more thrilling is that the |
| since the town hosts the prestigious Stan James | | | | Tangerines had to climb back from 0-2 down to win |
| World Matchplay Darts Championship every year. Held | | | | the cup. Since then, that game has been immortalized |
| traditionally at the Empress Ballroom in the Winter | | | | as the "Matthews Final" in honor of Stanley |
| Gardens, the competition brings together the 32 top | | | | Matthews' role in the match. |
| professional dart players in the world who vie for | | | | With Matthews as the Tangerines' driving force, |
| over £100,000 in prize money. The Stan James | | | | Blackpool FC became of the most popular teams in |
| World Matchplay Darts Championship draws in huge | | | | the league, both for home and away games. In fact, |
| crowds to the Empress Ballroom and is televised live | | | | for three seasons - 1950-51, 1954-55 and 1955-56 - |
| to countless people worldwide via satellite. | | | | the Tangerines were the most popular visiting team |
| Of course, one of the most popular games in town is | | | | in the UK. About 40,000 fans on average watched |
| football. The Blackpool Sports Centre is a favourite | | | | their games during that time. |
| venue for friendly five-a-side games. The venue has | | | | Unfortunately, in 1966-67, Blackpool was relegated |
| a sports arena and an all-weather outdoor pitch. | | | | back to Division Two and the period that followed |
| Meanwhile, for a casual kick-about with a few friends, | | | | has been marked by highs and lows. The team now |
| Blackpool boasts more than 80 public parks that are | | | | plays in the Coca Cola League Division One. |