History

The club was originally named Blackburn St. James' (affiliated to St. James' Church on Shear Brow) and was formed in 1913. After first, playing successfully in the North East Lancashire League, the Ribblesdale Junior League was joined in 1922. A team from the club also played in the Chorley and District League in the period between the two World Wars. In the early days the ground was at Longshaw, better known perhaps as Blackburn Railway Clerks' Ground and now the site of Longshaw Primary School.

The move to the present site at Pleckgate was initiated in 1923. Joseph Bassnett bought a field and in the late summer of 1923 a Summer Fayre was held to commemorate the official opening in the presence of local dignitaries. Afterwards the area in the centre was dug up and drained ready for playing cricket on in 1924. Tennis was added in 1926, one shale court, in the area currently occupied by the mini tennis court, and a wooden tennis pavilion which has finally been demolished in 2011 after many years service as a groundsman's workshop.

Joseph Bassnett, an ardent cricket supporter, became the first of only four presidents the club has had in its history. He was succeeded by his widow Margaret who was in turn succeeded by Bill Eatough. The present incumbent is Arthur Shaw who has held the office for 10 years, his record of service to the club stretching back an incredible 70 years.

Facilities have gradually been improved over the years: first in the late sixties a new clubhouse of modest proportions which was subsequently updated and extended. Two new tennis courts were added during the seventies followed in 1978 by the opening two new squash courts and the creation of a new playing section at the club.

Hockey was also added to the sports offered at the club following the merger with Blackburn Hockey in 1995. The objective for the new hockey section was to have their own pitch close to their own clubhouse and changing rooms. This ambition was achieved in 2007 with the opening of the new all weather pitch on the adjoining Pleckgate School playing fields.

The club also benefited from substantial lottery grant money in 2004/5 and a legacy from former trustee Frank Lassey. Together with funds raised by the efforts of members the money was used for a major redevlopment of the club. The members lounge and function rooms were extended and given a complete refit. The Blackburn Northern Tennis Dome was built on land donated by the local authority and two of the existing outdoor courts were resurfaced.  

Sadly the cricket section played it's last season in 2009. Currently the cricket ground is being leased to Ribchester Cricket Club but it is hoped that a merger will eventually take place with a revival of cricket at the club.

The club will celebrate its centenary in 2013.

The result is a sports complex much to be admired and very much to the credit of the president and a willing stream of volunteers too numerous to mention.