A sports club has earned the rare feat of being a non-pub winner of a Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) award.
Croston Sports Club was recognised for its important role in the local community as it was crowned Spring 2026 Club of the Season.
Each season, CAMRA’s Central Lancashire branch gives an award to celebrate a pub for the excellent beer they serve and for the important role they play within the local community. This spring, the branch has departed from its usual practice and for only the second time in 27 years made the award to a club rather than a pub.
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Croston Sports Club sits in the middle of the village and hosts a range of sports including cricket, football, tennis, netball, cycling and others. But while sports are a huge part of the experience, the clubhouse has also become an important social hub for the village well used by members, locals and visitors.
The club is also known for providing a comfortable and relaxed location for a quiet drink or meals, with a beer garden overlooking the cricket pitch. Importantly for CAMRA, the club also offers three well kept cask ales usually providing a good mix of styles.
In addition, an annual beer festival draws visitors from all over the surrounding area. The award will not be a surprise to those who follow news items like this because in 2022 the club won Central Lancashire’s and then Lancashire’s overall Club of the Year award.
Adrian Smith, Chairman of CAMRA’s local branch, said: “For its consistently good beer, its contribution to the local community and its particular appeal as spring arrives Croston Sports Club is a very worthy winner of our Spring 2026 Club of the Season.”
The award will be presented at the Club from 7.30pm on 7th May. All are welcome.
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