There are many international sports stars who have their roots in the area, and here is our own small tribute to just some of the well-known sporting names we can call our own.
5. Tyson Fury
Although born in Manchester, current world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury lives in Morecambe with his wife Paris and their six children - with another on the way. In September 2015, he expressed an interest in running as an independent candidate to be the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, but the plan never materialised. Named after American boxer Mike Tyson, who was the heavyweight world champion at the time, Tyson was born three months premature and weighed just 1 pound and wasn't expected to survive. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire
6. Alan Spavin
Alan Spavin was an English footballer born in Lancaster. A product of Preston North End's youth system, he featured in more than 400 league games for the side. Spavin moved to the United States in May 1974 to play for Washington Diplomats. He then joined Morecambe in August 1975, followed by a spell with Dundalk from February to April 1976 where he helped them win the League of Ireland Championship. Spavin passed away in 2016 at the age of 74. Photo: Ian Rigby
7. Polly Swann
British rower Polly Swann (pictured left) was born in Lancaster, although she grew up in Edinburgh. She is a former World and European champion in the women's coxless pairs, and at the 2016 Summer Olympics she won a silver medal in the women's eight. During the Covid pandemic she took a break from rowing to work as a doctor at St John's Hospital, Livingston, but in 2021 she regained the European Coxless Pair title in Italy, with partner Helen Glover. She and Glover finished fourth in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
8. James Beattie
Former footballer and coach James Beattie was born in Lancaster. He attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Blackburn, and went on to represent the school, and play for Blackburn Schools, before joining Blackburn Rovers as a trainee in 1995. Beattie later had spells at Southampton, Everton, Sheffield United, Stoke City, Rangers, and a short spell on loan at Blackpool, before eventually returning to Sheffield United for a second term. His most recent coaching role was one of the assistant managers at Championship club Wigan Athletic. Photo: Daniel Martino