Serving up some ace Fylde coast sporting memories

Wimbledon '“ and by the looks of things, the summer '“ might be long gone, but our archive photographs of tennis on the Fylde coast in the last century will conjure up images of the seasonal sport.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Aug 2018, 15:57 BST
Updated 16th Aug 2018, 16:09 BST
Lytham first tennis team, 1973. From left: K Eastham, J Townend, M Lannigan and E GarsideLytham first tennis team, 1973. From left: K Eastham, J Townend, M Lannigan and E Garside
Lytham first tennis team, 1973. From left: K Eastham, J Townend, M Lannigan and E Garside

The Fylde coast has a long tradition of local tennis clubs, as can be seen in these pictures.

Blackpool Cricket Club is shown being used for tennis in one of the shots – which is undated but appears to date from the 1950s.

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Tennis of course is an international affair and can bring players of different nationalities together. Pictured are Clive Francis, of St Annes Tennis Club and Brian Fairlie, the number one seed from New Zealand, at the first match of the men’s singles in the 20th Open St Annes Tennis Tournament in 1969. Not all that surprisingly, Brian won in two sets – 6-0, 6-0.

Blackpool Lawn Tennis Club, July 1975Blackpool Lawn Tennis Club, July 1975
Blackpool Lawn Tennis Club, July 1975

St Annes Lawn Tennis Club is also pictured in May 1956. Four women are pictured, welcoming the arrival of a new season at the North Drive club.

St Annes Tennis Club was formed in 1900 and combined with North Drive Tennis Club, in 1920.

Lytham’s first team is pictured here in 1973.

And also pictured is South Shore Tennis Club, two members with their trophies, in 1974.

The first match of the men's singles in the 29th Open St Annes Lawn Tennis Tournament, 1969, at the St Annes Club, was between Clive Francis (left) and No 1 seed Brian Fairlie, of New Zealand, who won 6-0, 6-0The first match of the men's singles in the 29th Open St Annes Lawn Tennis Tournament, 1969, at the St Annes Club, was between Clive Francis (left) and No 1 seed Brian Fairlie, of New Zealand, who won 6-0, 6-0
The first match of the men's singles in the 29th Open St Annes Lawn Tennis Tournament, 1969, at the St Annes Club, was between Clive Francis (left) and No 1 seed Brian Fairlie, of New Zealand, who won 6-0, 6-0
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Also from 1974, is today’s Memory Lane front cover picture, which shows female members of Moorland Sports Club tennis section. Moorland Sports Club, Poulton, feature another photo – the winners of the 1976 finals can be seen.

Officials are pictured at the opening of Thornton Lawn Tennis Club, in 1975. Thornton Tennis Club has its origins in a tennis, bowling and croquet club, founded in 1905.

And members of Blackpool Lawn Tennis Club are pictured, also in 1975.

Related topics:TennisFyldeWimbledon