The English Shotokan Academy was founded in 1991 by Sensei Steve Cattle (6th Dan), a highly respected British Karate-ka and student of Sensei Taiji Kase.

Steve started Martial Arts at the age of 12, studying Judo in York, reaching the grade of 2nd Dan and representing Britain in Japan at the World Student Judo Games. In 1962 he began training in Shotokan Karate and went on to establish a remarkable career, becoming British Champion and a member of the British team for almost 25 years. He was renowned for his phenomenal speed, superb timing and outstanding fighting spirit. But it was Steve's in-depth study of Karate kata that made him a bunkai (application) expert. As Steve put it, the movements in kata are the heart and soul of karate.

Sensei Cattle was one of Britain's most respected and influential Karateka. His no-nonsense approach won him the admiration and loyalty of all those who had the privilege to train with him.

Rob Willis began training in Shotokan Karate under Steve Cattle at Southport in 1979 and continued to train with him until his tragic death in 1995. When Steve set up the ESA his Instructors and friends automatically followed him into the new Association, as did the Southport club, and through Steve the members began to develop further their understanding of Karate. Steve also founded the Butokukai of Great Britain and through this umbrella Association his students were introduced to other outstanding Instructors, including Sensei Derek Ridgway, 5th Dan (Shito Ryu Karate-do), and Sensei Julian Meade, 7th Dan (Yushinkai Karate and Ryukyu Kobujitsu weaponry), both of whom have since taught on courses run by the West Lancs Academy.

In 1998 Rob Willis, by now graded 3rd Dan, was approached to open a new dojo in Southport and by April of the following Year the West Lancs Karate Academy was an affiliated ESA dojo. Other seniors from the old Southport dojo, John Coles, Adam Lennon, Raj Patel and Gordon Galley, helped to establish the new club as a strong base of Shotokan Karate within the area, following closely the teachings of both Sensei Cattle and Sensei Kase, As the old Southport dojo left the ESA, The new West Lancs Club grew steadily, achieving grading and competition success, and eventually opening a sister club in Crosby, North Liverpool.

Within a little over 8 years the West Lancs Club had guided 20 students to successful 1st Dan black belt gradings, with Sensei Willis himself progressing to 4th Dan, Sensei Lennon to 4th Dan and a further 3 members to 2nd Dan. In a little over 7 years of competition the members of the West Lancs club had between them amassed over 150 trophies from Regional, National and Open events, with Rob Willis, Gordon Galley and Adam Lennon all coming out of retirement to take medal placings. Competition karate, despite having benefits, is only an option for the students and the West Lancs Academy remains committed to the development of its members into knowledgeable, responsible and capable karateka, by offering professional tuition, supported by access to courses and competitions, along with gradings to recognised standards.

January 2008 has seen the West Lancs Academy affiliate to the Kazoku Kai Shotokan International, a worldwide group promoting traditional karate to the highest standard. This move has given greater access to courses and competitions as well as a top class instruction with seniors Sensei Derek Ridgway (7th Dan), one of Steve Cattle’s good friends and co-founder of the Butokukai with Steve, and Sensei Dave Wilkins (6th Dan), another of Steve Cattle’s senior students.