b. Great Harwood 1850
d. Blackburn 10 February 1921 (age 71)
 

Debut 11 December 1875 Final Game 3 September 1881
CAREER: Blackburn Rovers '75-'81;Great Harwood.
 

FAC     4 apps  1 gl
LC        8 apps  1 gl
 

Fred Birtwistle played left back in the club's first ever game but his appearances for the next three seasons lack documentation. By the time the Rovers entered the cup for the first time he partnered Doc Haydock at full back but soon lost his place when Fergie Suter came from Darwen. Thereafter his only opportunities came when pressed into service as an emergency forward. He was a relative of the well known Richard Birtwistle, his grandfather David being the brother of Richard's great grandfather Robert. The son of William Birtwistle of Lower Fold, Great Harwood who was a cotton manufacturer, Fred became a farmer and cotton manufacturer at Yew Tree House, Great Harwood but by the turn of the century was concentrating on the cotton rather than agriculture. He became a director of the family firm, Birtwistle and Fielden. At the Southport Sports in 1882 he finished second in the 120 yards against many of the best sprinters in Lancashire. In the heats he ran 12.4 seconds for 112 yards. He also played cricket for Great Harwood and was good enough to play for the Lancashire County amateur team. A keen shooter and huntsman he was an avid follower of the Pendle Forest Hunt.