I am still working on my Blackburn ‘Rovers in Uniform’ project finding and researching men who played for the well known Lancashire Football Club and served in uniform in the First World War, World War Two and National Service; I have even found one who served in the Boer War and fought on the famous ‘Spion Cop’.
I was on BBC Radio Lancashire’s Breakfast Show on VJ Day in August.
I was invited on by presenter Graham Liver to talk about his relative, William Liver, who died as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese working on the notorious ‘Death Railway’ between Thailand and Burma (now Myanmar), as well as other related stories of men from across the County who fought and died in the Far East during World War Two.
I am adding two new talks for 2026.
“Lancashire’s lost Stations” featuring railway stations that are no longer operating in the County, from Blackpool Central to Lancaster Green Ayre, to Hoghton on the Preston to Blackburn line and Longridge on the branch line from Preston.
“Lancashire football grounds – then & now” looks at professional and semi-professional grounds in the County, from Liverpool’s Anfield stadium, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Preston North End, Wigan Athletic grounds to Non-League, Clitheroe, St. Helens and Morecambe. I add some personal anecdotes and own experiences at the grounds as a Referee in Non-League Football and Linesman in the Professional Game in the 1980s and 1990s
After an eight year gap, I am looking to do another Battlefield Trip in 2025.
It will have a Blackburn Rovers and Football theme visiting related sites on the Somme in Northern France and around the Ypres Salient in Belgium. Provisional date is late June next year with a six day, five night duration.
To register your interest or request more information please e-mail heritage@roverstrust.co.uk
I will be presenting my talk ‘Rovers in Uniform’ at the Central Library in Blackburn at 2.00 p.m. on the 11th November; admission is free.
It will feature stories of Blackburn Rovers players who served in uniform in World War One, World War Two and whilst doing National Service (1946 to 1960).
Following some technical and administrative problems with my 0345 contact number I have used since 2015, I have had to change my contact number.
If you wish to discuss a talk / booking, please call me on my mobile 07963 345956. Alternatively you can use the form on the ‘Contact’ page which is now fully working following a recent site update.
