Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT) has continued to make a positive difference across the Fylde Coast, bringing people together through sport, education, health and wellbeing, and community support. From raising awareness of cancer and inspiring young people to celebrating women’s football and strengthening local partnerships, recent activities highlight the Trust’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities and improving lives across the community.
On the 1st of September, we came together for our Staff Day, a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements, dedication and hard work of our incredible team. The day marked an exciting opportunity to reconnect, build relationships and look ahead together, with a shared focus on strengthening collaboration, embracing new opportunities and shaping the next chapter of our organisation. Alongside collaborative tasks, staff-wide recognition and positive self-reflection, we enjoyed lunch together and plenty of fun, including interactive darts, laser tag, escape rooms, pool and a full team bowling competition. It was a brilliant day filled with positivity, laughter and team spirit, leaving everyone with a renewed sense of connection and a reminder of the important work we do within our community.
The first week continued with our annual Blackpool FC Sports College Induction Week. This week is all about helping our new students settle into college life, build friendships with their classmates and get a feel for what their lessons will look like throughout the year. From sports sessions and classroom activities to in-house fixtures on Stanley Park, our students had a great opportunity to get to know one another, develop their skills and kick-start their college journey.
Throughout September, we proudly supported Prostate Cancer UK by raising awareness at Blackpool FC’s home fixture against Bromley FC at Bloomfield Road. As part of the campaign, we handed out informative leaflets to supporters and displayed important information on the stadium’s big screen, helping to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of early detection.
We were delighted to welcome clinicians from Lancashire’s teaching hospital to Bloomfield Road as they raised awareness of the Versus Cancer Prehab & Rehab sessions while fundraising for the fantastic Rosemere Cancer Foundation via cycling. We wish the team all the very best for the remainder of their journey and are proud to support such an important cause.
Continuing our commitment to health and wellbeing, we hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning, bringing members of the local community together to discuss the signs and symptoms of cancer, raise awareness and fundraise for a fantastic cause.
Through our Move More programme, we are also delighted to support Victoria Hospital Walking Club, helping to strengthen the sustainability of a group that has been bringing people together through walking for more than 40 years. This partnership highlights the importance of accessible physical activity in supporting long-term health, wellbeing and social connection.
We also held our first-ever GET FIT KEEP FIT in the Park event at Anchorsholme Park. The event was a great success, with new and existing participants coming together to enjoy an exercise session outdoors. It was fantastic to see so many people getting active and embracing the opportunity to improve their fitness in a welcoming community environment.
Our Women’s Recreational Football participants enjoyed a special matchday experience at Bloomfield Road after being invited to watch Blackpool FC take on Bromley FC. Delivered in partnership with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the programme encourages women to become more active in a friendly and inclusive environment. The group enjoyed a fantastic hospitality experience, recognising their commitment and participation. Opportunities like this demonstrate that our Active Through Football programme is about much more than physical activity; it is also about building connections, celebrating achievements and helping people feel part of the Blackpool FC community.
We also celebrated the induction night for our FA Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC), welcoming both new and returning players ahead of the new season. This September marked the start of the ETC’s fifth season, an important milestone in our continued commitment to developing high-level female football on the Fylde Coast. We look forward to another exciting season, supporting talented young players as they develop their skills and pursue their footballing ambitions.
Meanwhile, Blackpool FC Ladies held their annual photoshoot at Bloomfield Road, bringing together players from across the club’s open-age teams for an evening of photographs, celebration and togetherness.
Our BFC School students also enjoyed a fantastic session at ITC Kickboxing, where they explored the importance of discipline, hard work and physical fitness. Experiences like this provide valuable opportunities for students to develop confidence, learn new skills and understand how commitment and perseverance can support their personal growth.
We were incredibly proud to see BFC School and Blackpool Police recognised at the West Divisional Awards Evening for their work on Operation Babylon. This innovative programme helps vulnerable young people understand and avoid the dangers of knife crime, exploitation and county lines through an immersive, real-world experience. The programme has achieved fantastic outcomes, helping young people build confidence and resilience, develop positive relationships and strengthen their aspirations for the future.
We were also proud to share the impact of our work with young people and demonstrate the difference that meaningful support, listening and understanding can make. We were honoured to showcase a powerful video featuring parents sharing their experiences, before former student Tio joined Mr Whittle on stage to talk about his personal journey and explain how BFC helped give him the confidence to follow his dreams.
These moments are a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. We would like to thank our dedicated school team, our parents and, most importantly, our young people for sharing their stories and demonstrating the real impact that inclusion, understanding and the right support can have on individuals and families.
Thanks to a generous ticket donation from Blackpool Supporters’ Trust (BST), we were also able to invite local young people and members of our Armed Forces community to attend Blackpool FC home fixtures throughout September. These opportunities help make matchdays more accessible, create memorable experiences and strengthen the connection between the football club and the wider community.
Across all our programmes and partnerships, we remain committed to making a lasting difference to the lives of people across the Fylde Coast. Whether through sport, education, health initiatives or community experiences, we are proud to create opportunities for people to connect, grow in confidence and reach their full potential.
We would like to thank all our partners, participants, volunteers and supporters who continue to make this work possible.
