Welcome to our history page! Freckleton Club has been part of village life for decades — a place where friends meet, memories are made, and good times are shared. Here’s how it all began...
The year was 1962. After a night out at the Layton Institute in Blackpool, Fred Heaton and Jim Snape were enjoying a bit of supper.
Fred, who was treasurer at the Layton Institute, turned to Jim and asked:
“What do you think about opening a club in Freckleton?”
Jim thought it was a great idea — a place for local people to meet and socialise. And so, plans were soon put in motion.
Of course, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Years of objections followed, from parish councillors and some locals who weren’t too keen on another drinking establishment in the village. But Fred and Jim kept going regardless.
Funding was another challenge. To raise money, Fred and Jim came up with the idea of giving locals the chance to “buy a brick” at a cost of ten shillings (about 50p today). Many people supported the idea and became founding members.
They also secured sponsorship from William Younger Brewery, on the condition that the club would have at least one hundred members.
Still, the objections continued.
The original plan was for the club to be built on stilts, with the car park underneath — a nice idea, but far too costly. In the end, the club was built at a total cost of around £40,000.
When the final council meeting took place, it all came down to the casting vote of the chairman, George Bamber Snr, who voted in favour of the club being built.
After years of determination and hard work, the club was finally opened — and on Thursday, 4th October 1967, it was officially opened by George Bamber Snr himself.
Today, the club still has that same warm and friendly atmosphere. There’s live entertainment every Saturday night, two match-standard snooker tables, pool, darts, and dominoes — and of course, a welcoming lounge where you can relax with friends over a nice cool drink.
As the club approaches its 60th anniversary, it feels especially fitting that the current chairman is Mr. Stephen Snape — the grandson of Fred Heaton and son of Jim Snape.
Here’s to the next 60 years of friendship, community, and great memories at Freckleton Club!