History of two Great Clubs

History of Blackburn Hockey Club and Clitheroe Ladies Hockey Club

Blackburn Hockey Club was established as part of Blackburn Northern Sports Club, originally formed in 1913 under the name Blackburn St. James'. Initially, the club participated in cricket and gradually expanded to include tennis and squash. In 1995, hockey was introduced to the club following a merger with Blackburn Hockey Club. Despite having a strong start, the hockey section faced challenges in the years leading up to 2015, dwindling from three ladies' and three men's teams to just one each, with the ladies' section on the brink of folding​

Clitheroe Ladies Hockey Club had a vibrant history, forming in 1975 and steadily growing over the decades. However, they faced significant difficulties in maintaining a stable home pitch. The club's journey saw them moving through several locations: West Bradford, Ribblesdale Cricket Pitch, Prairie in Burnley, Ribblesdale Shale Pitch, Fulwood Leisure Centre in Preston, Shadsworth High School, Hyndburn Sports Centre, and Ribblesdale High School. Each move was driven by the pitches either being converted to football fields or becoming unplayable due to maintenance issues and costs​

The Merger in 2015

By 2015, Clitheroe Ladies Hockey Club faced significant challenges after losing their final pitch at Ribblesdale School in the Ribble Valley, leading them to briefly train at Stonyhurst College. With their next nearest suitable pitch at Blackburn Northern Sports Club, the initial plan was to hire the pitch and utilise the clubhouse to enhance hockey's presence in the town. After several meetings, a merger emerged as the ideal solution for both parties.

Clitheroe Ladies brought four thriving teams and a strong junior section, seeking stability and a permanent home base. On the other hand, Blackburn Northern Hockey Club, despite having excellent facilities including their own pitch and clubhouse, needed an influx of players and better organisational structure to sustain itself.

The initial merger saw the clubs operating under separate names: Blackburn Northern Men and Clitheroe Blackburn Ladies. This arrangement, lasting for two years, allowed both sections to stabilise and grow in numbers and structure.

Saving Two Historic Clubs

Without the merger, both clubs were at risk of folding, which would have been devastating for the local hockey scene. This was especially concerning given that Blackburn Northern Ladies, once a National League club featuring ex-international players such as Val Robinson OBE, and Clitheroe Ladies, known for producing local talent and winning numerous trophies in the Ribble Valley, could have disappeared. This would have meant the complete loss of hockey in the area.

A New Era: Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Hockey Club

In 2018, the clubs officially merged into Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Hockey Club, now boasting four ladies' teams, three men's teams, and a thriving junior section. The club is now focused on becoming a powerhouse of hockey across the county. It aims to form partnerships, grow, and develop within the community. The club has established a substantive network of hockey hubs throughout East Lancashire, offering opportunities for everyone. They continue to strengthen their strong relationships with Westholme School and many other primary and secondary schools across East Lancashire.

This merger not only preserved the rich history and legacy of both clubs but also laid the foundation for a bright future, ensuring that hockey remains a vibrant and integral part of the local community.