FROM wartime until the 1960s, youth clubs had an active role in the lives of young people in Blackburn, providing a variety of activities.

In 1945, there were at least 43 clubs and organisations in the area which were affiliated with the youth department of the Blackburn Education Committee. The youth organiser then was a Welshman, Trevor Thomas.

One of the clubs of the time was Bangor Boys Club, which was set up around 1943 in Bangor Street School, offering table tennis and indoor games activities for members.

One of those young people was Ken Brooks, who now lives in America, but has sent Looking Back some of the memories of his teenage days.

He recollects that within a few years, the club had moved its headquarters into the basement of a disused church in Troy Street.

It grew rapidly under the leadership of Mr Davey and his assistant Michael Hobinand was always very busy. Facilities for members included two snooker tables, four table tennis tables, a games room and a snack bar.

Bangor Boys became very successful in all sports. It won the youth leagues in table tennis and a few years later also topped the adult leagues.

Said Ken: “Mr Davey was a very good recruiter of footballers and Bangor Boys were frequent winners in the youth leagues, competing later the adult leagues as Bangor Old Boys.

“Some of the footballers went on to play professionally, including Tony Hapgood, son of England’s captain and Rovers manager Eddie Hapgood, who played for Burnley’s first team and goalkeeper Wilf Billington, who played for Blackburn Rovers reserves before being transferred.

“Then there was Derek Leaver, who appeared 14 times for Rovers’ first team.

He eventually became the owner of Leaver’s Pies, opposite Ewood Park and full back John Bray, who made 153 first team appearances for the Rovers.”

Added Ken: “Other members of Bangor Club were Jack Walker, future owner of Blackburn Rovers, and Duggie Payne, who still holds the Lancashire League wicketkeeping record for victims in a season, when he was behind the stumps for Gupte at Rishton.

“Other clubs that were Bangor’s rivals included YMCA, West End, Technical College, Grimshaw Park, Little Harwood, Blue Triangle, THE, Accrington Road and Squires of St Columba.”

Our photo, is probably from 1949 and shows the winners of the three divisions in the Blackburn and District Table Tennis League for that year.

From the left: unknown, unknown, Reg Baron, Ken Brooks, Alan Partington, Blackburn Town councillor, Ken Blackburn, Ken Hindle, Jim Shorrock, unknown.

The Bangor team which comprises Ken Blackburn, Reg Baron and Ken Brooks had just completed their winning season in Division One.

Ken Hindle and Jim Shorrock played for Blue Triangle Youth Club which was in Oak Street.