A ROW has broken out over the naming of Darwen Resource Centre after the town's Civic Society accused the council of snubbing a former Darwen footballer.

The resource centre's new internet cafe was recently opened and named after former England captain and Rovers and Darwen player Sam Wadsworth.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said he was chosen as an inspiration to users of the cafe because he was local and had overcome his own mental illness.

But members of the Civic Society and Sam's nephew, Charles Holden, are upset that Sam was not seen as "worthy of the honour" of having the whole centre named after him.

Civic Society secretary Marilyn Bysh said members were disappointed that the council decided against their suggestion of giving his name to the centre, which is for people who have had mental health problems. Instead, she said Sam had to "make do with the centre's cafe."

She said: "I really don't know why Sam wasn't considered worthy of the honour of having the centre named after him. We had promised to cover any cost that would have been involved."

Sam's nephew Mr Holden, 78, said: "It seemed a wonderful idea to name the centre after him. I remember Uncle Sam well. He was a real gentleman and his story is truly inspirational." Mr Holden, who taught at Darwen Grammar School, now lives near Northwich where his family have been closely monitoring the developments.

Journalist Harold Heys, who has spent weeks researching Sam's life story, said: "I've been corresponding with councillors and council officers for nearly 12 months on behalf of the society.

"I told Coun Maureen Bateson over two months ago that I thought Sam deserved better than a cafe. He was a real local hero."

Sam recovered from the trauma of fighting in the First World War and the desperation of rejection by Blackburn Rovers to become a star with Huddersfield Town in the 1920s, captain England and later manage top teams in Holland.

Coun Bateson, executive member for social services, said: "The people of Darwen should be proud of Sam Wadsworth and his achievements.

"When we were asked, we felt it would nice to honour him in some way. We also want to listen to the people who use our services.

"We were approached after the centre had been opened and named. So we went back to the centre's management committee, which includes service users, and they made a decision about their centre.

"But they did suggest that the new internet caf was dedicated in Sam's honour. We are sorry that some people feel that it was a snub. It certainly wasn't intended as one."