ALL ABOARD! TAKE A FOOTBALL SPECIAL TO THE GAME

Bloomfield Road and Blackpool’s trams and buses go way, way back. ‘Football Specials’ on the 24 and 25 Services were once a familiar sight heading to Bloomfield Road before kick-off and queuing up on Central Drive for the final whistle. Lytham Road saw extra trams lining up in both directions as home games ended, this continued up to 1962 when the trams to Squires Gate were replaced by the 12 bus service. Trams mingled with crowds leaving the ground heading north for Bispham and beyond - whilst southbound trams handled growing queues at the Bloomfield Road stop.

At the Royal Oak junction Stanley Mortenson owned a famous sporting goods shop after his retirement. It can be seen in this 1960 photograph, below, taken by John Woodman as a ‘Standard’ car from Marton turns on to Lytham Road for evening special workings during the Illuminations.

The Service 24 bus in immaculate cream and green livery is passing Moorpark Avenue stop on Bispham Road en route to Central Drive on a ‘Football Special’.