EAST Lancashire was a hotbed of activity when the sport of football got itself organised in the later 19th century.

Accrington, Burnley and Blackburn were all founder members of the 1888/89 Football League season.

But what were the fortunes of one of the club from one of the district's other big towns Oswaldtwistle?

Well it had its own team - Oswaldtwistle Rovers - but its history was not quite as illustrious as they namesakes from the down the road in Blackburn.

Oswaldtwistle Rovers, nicknamed The Whistlers, were founded in 1884 and entered the FA Cup that year.

They were hammered 12-0 by local rivals Blackburn Olympic but the season after they reached the second round for the only time in their history after beating Lower Darwen 3–1 in the first round. They were then paired against another local side, cup-holders Blackburn Rovers in the next round. They lost the game 1–0, with the goal scored by Hugh McIntyre.

Their last recorded games are in the 1909–10 FA Cup; paired against Dobson & Barlow's in the extra preliminary round, they drew 1–1 at home, before losing 2–0 away in the replay.