Blackpool Wren Rovers

Blackpool Wren Rovers is a non-league football club based in the south of the Lancashire seaside resort in Squires Gate near to Blackpool Airport. The club was formed in 1931 as Wren Rovers FC to compete in local football.

In 1972 the ‘Wrens' joined the Lancashire Combination where they finished as runners-up in 1977-78, before going one better and lifting the title in 1978-79 and 1980-81. This led to the club becoming founder members of the North West Counties League in 1982 where they were placed in Division Two.

 

In 1990 the club changed its name to Blackpool Rovers to reflect the town they represented, going on to win promotion to Division One in their first season under their new guise. A fourth place was the best finish achieved by the side in 1991-92. 

Rovers decided to resign from the competition in 1998, changing their name to Blackpool Wren Rovers FC at the same time. They became founder members of Division Two of the West Lancashire League, winning the title at their first attempt.

 

This followed up by becoming Division One champions in 2000-01 to secure a Premier Division spot. The side went down again in 2003-04 before regaining their status twelve months later.

The Wrens finished as Premier Division runners-up in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Consecutive league titles followed in 2009-10 and 2010-11 as the club enjoyed a period of great success. For four consecutive seasons between 2011-12 and 2014-15 the team finished as league runners-up.

 

This was put right in 2015-16 as Rovers became champions for a third time. The following couple of seasons saw the team end as runners-up, shortly before player Mark Faber became manager. He took his team to sixth place in 2023-14.

Blackpool Wren Rovers will compete in the West Lancashire League Premier Division in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Wednesday 1st February 2012

I had finished my night shift in London the previous morning and travelled up to Blackpool to watch the Seasiders match against Coventry City before heading to Manchester to take in the Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal clash.

I got up earlier than intended as my body struggled to readjust to my new sleeping pattern so I headed out to Squires Gate on the bus at just gone 8am. It was very cold by the coast, but the sun was shining. I got off the bus and cut across The Shovel car park, which backed onto Bruce Park.

I was quite impressed by the ground considering the status of Rovers. It was quite apparent that it had staged a higher standard of football in the past, although it was starting to show its age and lack of care in places.

At the Blackpool End there was a full length shallow cover which carried on around the Squires Gate FC side and round the top corner by the clubhouse and changing rooms. It also continued behind the goal. 

However, some sections were now missing down the sides. A small stand stood alone on the Pub Side, with the rest of the ground consisting of hard standing and grass. There was little room between the pitch and the boundary fence.

I had the shortest walk ever to the next venue. In fact I could stand near the corner flag and see into two grounds at once! It seemed crazy that two clubs tried to upkeep two grounds so close, but that's football and its rivalry for you!