This month sees Padiham FC toast their 130th anniversary – and to celebrate the event, the club is holding a Sportmans Dinner Burnley’s Turf Moor on the evening of Thursday November 27.

The guest speaker is Dave Watson – the former England international defender – and also appearing is comedian Lea Roberts, along with MC Andy Ashworth. Tickets are priced at £25, and anyone interested in attending should contact Padiham secretary Alan Smith on 07775 717698.

Mr Smith says they still have plenty of support at club events from players who have represented the club over the years. “We hold a number of functions over the course of a year, and it’s good to see so many familiar faces turning up to support the club,” he said.

“As this dinner is to celebrate an anniversary, we hope that as many people as possible will come along to support it.”

Anyone who has read Alan’s synopsis of the club’s history in match programmes will be aware that, in their first few years of existence, Padiham were considered one of the pioneers of football in Lancashire, and one of the better club sides in England. They reached the third round proper of the FA Cup in 1883-84 and attracted good crowds when clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Burnley came to town.

With the club having such a long history, Mr Smith is always on the lookout for any photographs, memorabilia and general items of interest about the club.