Gerry Wolstenholme's Blog - Posts Tagged "blackpool"

Iain Hesford 1960-2014
Gerry Wolstenholme

Iain Hesford was born in Ndola, Zambia on 4 March 1960, the son of former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Bob Hesford who was teaching in Lusaka at the time of his son’s birth. Returning to Britain, Iain was raised in Fleetwood and as a talented goalkeeper (like his dad) he was signed by Blackpool on Schoolboy terms during the 1974/75 season. He played his junior football with Millfield School, Thornton and it was there that Blackpool scout Jackie Wright spotted him. He also gained representative honours playing for Lancashire County.

Blackpool signed him as an apprentice professional prior to the 1976/77 season. and when regular goalkeeper Colin King had to drop out at the last minute, Hesford made his Central League debut against Newcastle United reserves on 21 August 1976 and he performed very creditably as Blackpool won 1-0. He went on to play 17 Central League games for Blackpool in the 1976/77 season. In that close season, May 1977, he was a member of the Blackpool six-a-side team that finished third in a tournament for northern clubs at Prestatyn.

Blackpool signed him as a professional in August 1977 but the club were still reportedly looking for a goalkeeper but were aware that they would have to 'pay through the nose unless Iain Hesford makes giant strides, good as he undoubtedly is'. However, Blackpool sold their regular goalkeeper George Wood so Hesford made his League debut in the opening game of the 1977/78 season against Oldham Athletic on 20 August 1977 when he became the youngest goalkeeper ever at that time to play for Blackpool in a League game. The game was drawn 1-1 and sponsors Hornsea Pottery gave him a coffee set for an excellent debut.

After a few more games, new signing Bob Ward was given the number one spot and Hesford returned to the Central League side. But his progress was still noted and in January 1978 he was named in the England Youth squad to face Crystal Palace Under-19 at Selhurst Park on 17 January 1978 when he had 'a successful outing', playing in the first half in a game drawn 0-0. He went on to win his first international cap for the England Youth side against France on 8 February 1978 at Crystal Palace’s ground. England won 3-1 and his watching father commented, 'He was in good form throughout and didn’t stand a chance with the goal the French scored.'

Once he replaced Bob Ward in the side against Peterborough United on 9 December 1978 in a game that ended in a 0-0 draw, he became Blackpool's first choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the season. He was due to make his England Under-21 debut against Holland on 21 February 1979 but the game was called off because of snow. 'It’s double Dutch,' said Hesford. He added, 'Being selected was something in itself and once you have been recognised you usually get another chance. I am disappointed, who would believe after all the snow we’ve had that once we got back playing again they would get snow over there?'

He was displaced by new signing Tom McAlister at the start of the 1979/80 season and had to revert to reserve team football. At the same time Blackpool manager Bob Stokoe was saying, 'Iain Hesford is possibly the only product of genuine quality that has been produced by the youth system in the last few years in terms of playing in the first team of a top side.' The club were arranging for former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg to have a look at him and Gregg commented, 'I’ve seen Iain and I think he can become a very good player. If I can help I will be delighted.'

In mid-August 1979 he turned down the early offer of a new contract when his expired at the end of June 1980 because he was hoping to find a new club at the close of the 1979/80 season. However, he earned a recall to the League side in place of McAlister against Chesterfield on 23 October 1979 when the game was drawn 0-0. Having shown excellent form on his return to League action, Blackpool’s new directors had a job on their hands to persuade him to stay at Bloomfield Road for there were said to be 'top clubs sniffing around'. A lot of hard talking took place and a three-year contract was offered in early November 1979. At the same time, former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was rating Hesford as an England goalkeeper of the future and Blackpool talked of him being worth £500,000 in the transfer market. Ultimately he did remain at Blackpool.

Having been thwarted in his bid to play for England Under-21, the first time by fog in Holland in 1979 and then when John Lukic got the nod for a game against Norway, he was hoping to make his debut at that level against Romania on 14 October 1980. Having seen his friend Gary Bailey, with whom he had vied for the England Youth team goalkeeper’s spot, graduate to the full England squad he said, 'That’s my ambition, to keep goal for England.' But in March 1981 John Lukic was selected for the England ‘B’ squad and Blackpool manager Allan Brown felt that this was a slight on Hesford. He commented, 'He has all the natural attributes. And I hope Iain does not get disheartened because Lukic has been projected in this way.'

He was, however, in the England Under-21 side that won the European Under-21 Championship on 12 October 1982. He played seven times for the England Under-21 side in the 1982/83 season.

In January 1983 he requested a transfer and on 18 January 1983 manager Sam Ellis commented, 'Iain has expressed his wish to move as any young man with ambition would do. We understand his feelings and don’t want to stand in the way of a player of his calibre. We will listen to offers at the listed price and take it from there.' He was transfer-listed at a fee of £100,000 and all First and Second Division clubs were immediately circulated about his availability. It was a sad day for Blackpool fans when he was transferred to Sheffield Wednesday in August 1983 after having played 202 League games, 13 FA Cup ties, 14 League Cup ties, 41 Central League games and three other games for Blackpool during his time at the club.

Unfortunately he broke his finger in pre-season with the Owls, who then signed Martin Hodge, who had a long, unbroken run in the first team so consequently Hesford played no League football for Sheffield Wednesday, who loaned him out to Fulham in January 1985 and to Notts County in November 1985. He played three League games at Fulham and 10 League games at Notts County. Wednesday eventually transferred him to Sunderland for a fee of £80,000 in August 1986. He went on to play 97 League games for Sunderland, winning promotion from Division Three with the club in the 1987/88 season.

Sunderland transferred him to Hull City as part of a deal involving Tony Norman in December 1988 and he went on to play 91 League games for the Tigers, who transferred him to Maidstone United in August 1991. He played 42 League games, and scored one goal direct from a clearance, in his one season at Maidstone.

In 1992 he moved to Hong Kong and played for Eastern, winning five trophies, with the club in his four-year stay, Sing Tao, 1996/97, and South China, 1997/98, and on one occasion played against an England side for the Hong Kong Golden Select XI when his side lost 1-0. In 1992 he was voted the best foreign player of the year and he was in the Hong Kong FDL Team of the Year for three successive season, 1992/93 to 1994/95. In addition, while at Eastern he set a HKFDL record by going 827 minutes without conceding a goal.

On his return to England he did some coaching and after retirement from football he became a publican running the Queens and then the Sun Hotel in Littleborough. He returned to Blackpool to run a guest house in Charnley Road around 2012.

He died far too early on 18 November 2014 and will be sadly missed by friends, family and supporters.

Alexander (Sandy) Harris 1934-2014
Gerry Wolstenholme

Sandy Harris was born in Hong Kong on 22 October 1934 (his father was in the Hong Kong police) and was an attacking outside right who was signed by Blackpool from Newburgh FC as an amateur in May 1951, signing as a professional on 16 November 1951. Blackpool gave Newburgh FC a donation of £50 in February 1952 in recognition of his signing for the Seasiders.

He made his Central League debut for Blackpool against Manchester United reserves on 8 March 1952 when Blackpool lost 3-0 and he later 'showed great promise' in Blackpool ‘B’ side’s 4-0 win over Rochdale on 3 May 1952. He finished his first season with the club having played in seven Central League games.

In his first Central League appearance of the 1952/53 season against Sheffield United reserves on 27 September 1952 he scored his first senior goal in Blackpool’s 4-0 victory. He was playing regularly in the junior sides and he had a busy day on 29 November 1952; he played for the Youth team against Everton in the morning and for the Central League side against Sheffield Wednesday reserves in the afternoon. He was fortunate that he did not have to leave the dressing room for both games were at Bloomfield Road; Blackpool won the second game 2-0.

As one of two understudies to Stan Matthews (Albert Hobson was the other at this time), his first team opportunities were severely restricted but when the maestro was missing on 3 March 1953 he made his League debut against Burnley when Blackpool won 1-0 with a goal from Bill Perry. He also deputised for Matthews in a 1-1 draw against Stoke City on 15 April 1953 so he played two League games in the 1952/53 season; he also played 11 Central League games, in which he scored four goals,.

His chances of first team football were similarly restricted in the 1953/54 season and he played in only five League games as Matthews and Hobson shared the remaining games on the right wing. Once again he played Central League football, appearing in 14 games and scoring three goals,.

In the 1954/55 season he made his only senior appearance for the club at outside left when he replaced Perry in a 1-0 victory over Burnley when Stan Mortensen scored the only goal of the game. He also played in the junior sides and made 14 Central League appearances, in which he scored four goals.

A call up to fulfil his National Service in the RAF on 8 December 1955 prevented him being a Blackpool regular in the 1955/56 season and he played in just one League game, the last of the season, a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea. He was, however, able to appear in 16 Central League games, scoring six goals. Whilst in the RAF he gained RAF representative honours in the 1956/57 season.

Whilst he was away, Blackpool signed Irish international Johnny McKenna as another Matthews' understudy so Harris once again had to take a back seat. But he did score his first goal in league football in his 14th League game, against Manchester City in a 4 1 win on 9 February 1957 and he finished the 1956/57 season having played in six League games, scoring one goal, and 12 Central League games, scoring three goals.

However, he did score one classic goal in a post-season friendly game against the mighty Barcelona in May 1957 when he scored the equalising goal in a 3-3 draw … and it was from a header, not something that Sandy was renown for. He told me in later life that he remembered it well for it was the only headed goal that he ever scored, adding, 'I just closed my eyes bent my head and the next thing I knew my team-mates were jumping all over me for the ball had ended up in the top corner of the net'.

Blackpool gave him a modest wage increase for the 1957/58 season when his weekly wage was £11 in the summer and £13 in the winter with an extra £7 if and when he played in the first team.

He was reintroduced to the League side replacing Matthews, who had a cold, against Portsmouth on 30 November 1957 and he scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the 42nd minute. The goal came about when 'Hugh Kelly lofted the ball into this open space [in the middle of the defence] with perfect judgement. Mudie ran on to it, missed it and was still sprawling as the ball flew past him to Sandy Harris who followed it into the net almost under the bar.' He 'did some good things on the wing, although in the second half he was not in the picture much' as Blackpool won the game 2-1. Despite his success, he played in only six League games, scoring two goals, in the 1957/58 season in which he also played 20 Central League games, scoring one goal.

He was plagued by injury in the 1958/59 season and then a simple training accident threatened to ruin his career in January 1959. A specialist said, 'Although you have not completely severed the ligaments, they are badly torn.' Harris commented 'He has warned me that I must take extreme care in the next few days. If I damage the knee any further it will need an operation.' The trouble apparently started in May 1958 when, on the way to see his mother in Scotland, he was involved in a serious car accident. At the time he had received his inoculations for the Blackpool trip to Australia in the summer of 1958 and he had asked permission to visit his parents. Permission was granted but near Perth an articulated lorry burst a tyre and hit his stationary car. Five injuries to the same knee in 12 months did not help matters 'It’s no joke,' said Harris, who consequently missed the trip to Australia.

The injury did, indeed, end his career and he played no further senior football for the club. Because of this he was given a free transfer on 30 June 1959 having played 21 League games, scoring four goals, and 94 Central League games, scoring 21 goals in his eight-year stay at Bloomfield Road. Sadly his injury meant that he would not play first class football again.

He later became a publican in Rishton, Lancashire, the town in which he passed away on 12 December 2014. He was a gentleman, regularly supporting functions at Blackpool, and he will be sorely missed by family and friends alike. Rest in peace Sandy.

John McPhee 1937-2015

John McPhee was born in Motherwell on 21 November 1937 and he began his football career with Douglas Water Thistle and North Motherwell before moving to Motherwell in 1955 as a part-time professional, this so that he could continue his engineering studies. When Blackpool signed him from Motherwell, where he had been one of manager Bobby Ancell's dynamic young side that was nicknamed 'Ancell's Babes', for a fee of £10,000 on 25 July 1962 he was primarily a wing half although he had reportedly played in 10 different positions in his last season at Motherwell, where he had become a full-time professional. On signing him on a two-year deal Blackpool announced, 'he should turn out to be a useful player' and his weekly terms at the club were £24 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.

He made his debut for Blackpool in the Central League side at right half against Bury reserves on 21 August 1962 when he scored one of the goals in a 3-1 victory. Then, after three Central League games, he made his League debut at inside left against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw on 1 September 1962. Manager Ronnie Suart introduced him in the forward line to revitalise the attack and he made a very favourable impression as he 'started really well and throughout showed himself to be a vigorous player'. Thereafter in his first season he missed only one game, playing 37 League games, scoring six goals, two FA Cup ties, scoring one goal, and three League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He had also played in three Central League games, scoring two goals.

Starting the 1963/64 season in the half back line and then moving to inside left, he showed his versatility when he was tried at centre forward against Bolton Wanderers on 7 March 1964 and he repaid the manager's faith by scoring one of the goals in a 2-0 victory. That season saw him play 30 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties and 10 Central League games. He secured a new two-year deal for the 1964/65 season when his terms were marginally revised to £25 per week plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He started the 1964/65 season at centre forward in the Central League side and began in goalscoring form as he scored twice in a 4-2 victory second game over Liverpool reserves and twice in the Central League side’s 4-1 victory over Bury reserves on 5 September 1964.

His form was such that he deservedly regained his League place, perhaps surprisingly
at outside right, against West Bromwich Albion on 7 November 1964 when Blackpool won 3-1. The following week he reverted to a more usual right half for the game against Manchester United on 14 November 1964 when Blackpool lost 2-1. Thereafter he played occasional games at inside left, inside right, centre forward and outside right again but mostly he filled the right half position, finishing the 1964/65 season having played 26 League games, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and 12 Central League games, scoring four goals.

His wholehearted displays earned him the fans' nickname of 'Chopper', and he certainly was a hard tackler, and he was voted Blackpool Supporters’ Club Player of the Year in the 1964/65 season. Chairman Harry Alker said, 'John was a reasonably clear winner and a popular one. I think the supporters picked him because of his loyalty and play-anywhere attitude, rather than someone who does something spectacular one day and nothing the next.' A delighted McPhee commented modestly, 'I wasn’t expecting it. I thought it would have gone to a better-known player. But I am naturally very pleased about it.' And manager Ronnie Suart remarked, 'In view of what John has done for the club I think it was a very fitting award. He has always been willing to play in any position without any grumbles and has more than adequately filled the positions he has played in. There is no finer clubman than John. He is an example to every player who feels that because he is termed a utility player he is something less than other players.'

He wrote his name forever in the Blackpool record books when he became the club’s first participating substitute against Leicester City on 14 September 1965 when he replaced John Craven after 83 minutes. Blackpool, who won the game 3-0, had to that point played 713 minutes first team football without using a substitute. Injury thereafter interrupted his season but he still played 26 League games, made four substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie, one League Cup tie and six Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1965/66 season.

In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 8 August 1966 he strained knee ligaments that caused him to miss the start of the 1966/67 season and, once again caused him problems throughout the season. However he was still one of the club's stalwarts and played 25 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties and 13 Central League games in that season.

Over the following two seasons he only missed three games, being ever-present with 42 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1967/68 season and playing 38 League games, making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, five League Cup ties plus one Central League game (on his return from injury) in the 1968/69 season. Then, speaking of the ‘play anywhere’ brigade of footballers in mid-September 1969, one national critic pointed out that Blackpool had such a player in John McPhee who he stated, 'has filled a number of positions in defence, midfield and up front with notable success in recent seasons'. He most certainly had been a success and the fans knew it and loved him for it.

He lost nothing the following season as, in Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Millwall on 11 October 1969, one critic reported, 'McPhee, the driving force and chief schemer in the Blackpool side was probably the best player on the field'. And, in what turned out to be his final season at Bloomfield Road, he went on to play 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, and play in three FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1969/70 season.

As a reward for his sterling service he was given a free transfer on 30 June 1970 after having played in 291 games for Blackpool, 249 League games plus 10 substitute appearances in which he scored 14 goals, 13 FA Cup ties, in which he scored one goal, and 19 League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He also played in 41 Central League games, scoring seven goals.

He was transferred Barnsley in June 1970 and he went on to play 26 League games and score three goals for the club in his one season at Oakwell. Barnsley then transferred him to Southport in July 1971. He went on to play 85 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and four League Cup ties for Southport where he was recognised as 'Southport’s most inspiring skipper since Arthur Turner.' In addition, he led the team to the Fourth Division championship title in his final season, 1972/73.

In 1964, he had acquired what became the Sheraton Hotel on North Promenade and after retirement from football he and his family continued to run, and expand, the thriving business. He also played golf and was a well respected and talented player at North Shore Golf Club.

He sadly died after a long illness on 4 January 2014. His former skipper Jimmy Armfield paid tribute to him with “It’s a sad time for everyone. He’s a player and a person who will always be remembered. John was full of life and a terrific person to have around the club. He was such a vibrant character. The first thing you’d say about him as a footballer is – what a fantastic competitor. He didn’t join as a defender but soon settled into the back line alongside Glynn James [sic]. They became a great friends. The nickname 'Chopper' was something we never heard in the dressing room. It was more of a fan thing. He was a tough player. He played for keeps, put it that way.” He added, "Although he came down from Motherwell, John really bought into Blackpool as a place. He loved Blackpool, became a successful businessman in the town and lived here ever since first arriving from Scotland. I think I played in all of John’s 291 games at the club, so it’s fair to say I knew him well. He’s someone I was very fond of and kept in touch with long after we hung up our boots. He’ll be fondly remembered.”

He will be sadly missed by family, friends and football fans everywhere, particularly those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed his competitive skills while he wore the tangerine and white shirt of Blackpool. Rest in peace John McPhee.

William (Billy) Ronson 1957-2015

Billy Ronson was born in Fleetwood, where his father Percy was a record-breaking Fleetwood FC player, on 22 January 1957. After schoolboy football, Blackpool signed him as an apprentice professional on 14 August 1972. At the time he was a forward but later became a midfield player. He played only in the junior sides in the 1972/73 season before being signed as a full-time professional on 31 January 1974.

He made his senior debut for Blackpool as a 60th-minute substitute for Micky Walsh in the Lancashire Senior Cup second round tie against Bolton Wanderers on 12 February 1974 when he 'made a lively entry, giving the Blackpool attack more width but the finishing let the visitors down'. Blackpool lost the game 1-0. He also played in the final Central League game of the season against Nottingham Forest reserves on 29 April 1974 when Blackpool won with a Mickey Walsh goal.

Although only playing Central League football at the start of the
1974/75 season his form was good enough to attract attention and he was selected for training with the England Youth team at Lilleshall in September 1974 and again in October 1974.

He subsequently made his League debut for Blackpool against Nottingham Forest in a 0-0 draw on 29 March 1975, also played in a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa on 19 April 1975 and he made two League appearances and 27 Central League appearances, scoring five goals, in the 1974/75 season. And to crown a fine season, he won the Blackpool Young Player of the Year award, the Harry Glossop Trophy.

He started the 1975/76 season at an unaccustomed centre forward position in the League side, appearing in a 0-0 draw with Fulham on 16 August 1975, but thereafter he was an infrequent member of the League side. His combative style caused Blackpool to suspended him for three games after he had been sent off in a reserve game against Leeds United on 20 March 1976. But, having missed three Central League games, fresh from his suspension, he played what was described as 'his best-yet senior game' in a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion on 31 March 1976 although he 'spurned a couple of good chances by electing to pass square when a dip was in order'. However, up front, he was 'always a handful'. Unfortunately, The Football Association suspended him for three games starting on 1 April 1976 for the same sending offence against Leeds United reserves.

He returned to League action against York City on 19 April 1976 and he scored Blackpool’s equaliser three minutes from time in a 1-1 draw. His 'second League goal crowned a lively second half showing, despite the fact that he had found himself thrust into a strange midfield role'. The goal came after manager Harry Potts 'waved him to the right wing and Alan Ainscow back in midfield'.
And after a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on 20 April 1976 he earned the headlines RONSON LEADS CHAMPAGNE PARADE. Amplifying the headline the comment was 'Young Billy Ronson led the parade with a magnificent display of non-stop effort and skill, which marked his best game for the club. In only his second game back after suspension [sic], Ronson, who scored the equaliser at York, covered every inch of turf in a remarkably assured show of generalship. One minute he was back in defence cooling things down and mopping up anything loose. The next he was sweeping into the attack, prompting and probing. It was a shame he could not score to cap the performance.'

He played 17 League games plus making two substitute appearances, scoring two goals, one League Cup tie and 15 Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1975/76 season.

He began the 1976/77 season in the pre-season Anglo-Scottish Cup ties and against Burnley on 11 August 1976 he 'had a fine match' and looked 'a more confident player' as he 'did well to keep ticking away in his first match after injury'. Blackpool won 2-1.

Having established himself as a combative midfield player he was rarely out of the side and after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the League Cup on 21 September 1976 he earned the headlines RONSON’S DISPLAY ONE TO TREASURE and the supporting comment was 'But only Ronson was getting up regularly in support and I cannot praise his almost single-handed efforts too highly. It was his best game for Blackpool, and one he should treasure.'

In mid-December 1976 manager Allan Brown felt that Dave Tong and Billy Ronson could have been in the reckoning for England Under-21 honours and only Tong’s ankle injury and Ronson’s switch to midfield kept them out of Don Revie’s reckoning. Of Ronson he said, 'If Billy had still been on the wing he would have stood out. Forwards always take glory, but since Billy has moved into midfield he has done all the hard work, but it is seldom the workers who get noticed.'
He missed only one game that season, playing 41 League games, scoring four goals, two FA Cup ties, and four League Cup ties, scoring one goal.

The 1977/78 side saw him in and out of the League side and when substituted against Southampton on 17 December 1977 he was 'clearly upset' and went 'straight to the dressing room after looking angrily at manager Allan Brown' as Blackpool lost 1-0. Knowing that he was unsettled, he was a target for Aston Villa in December 1977 but he said that he would be content to stay at Blackpool provided he played in the first team. Brown commented, 'They want first team soccer and it is only natural that they are upset when they are dropped. But they must always remember that a manager cannot play for them. If they want to stay in the first team they have to fight to maintain their form. If they want a move they have to fight to impress prospective buyers. If they don’t put the effort and tight attitude into their play they will be dropped from the first team and have no chance of moving. It has always been a two-way process. And my experience shows that once a player is reinstated in the first team and he and the team are playing well everyone forgets he is transfer-listed. Really it is meaningless.'

Ronson didn't let the talk of a possible transfer affect his performances and the press comment was 'Ronson battled incessantly to keep Blackpool ticking over when it seemed to many fans that both sides had left the pitch a fortnight ago. He has played consistently well for the past four games' as Blackpool drew 2-2 with Notts County on 7 March 1978. And he finished the 1977/78 season having played 32 League games plus making two substitute appearances, scoring three goals, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties and two Central League games.

Along with Jimmy Weston, he missed the start of the 1978/79 season through having played football in the North American League during the summer and on 14 August 1978 manager Bob Stokoe commented. 'As far as we know they are involved in regional play-offs, which could take until the end of the month. We want them back as soon as possible.' In the event he was four weeks late in returning and then Blackpool had to rush clearance through so that he could play for the club.

On his return he said that he would not be keen to go back to America unless it was on a two-year contract. He commented, 'The only way to make it big out there is to sign up a lucrative two-year contract but I have ambitions in English football and I will see if I can fulfil them.' He added, 'The standard of football was remarkably high and they give you the four-star treatment but England is still tops for me.'

He returned to action in a second round League Cup tie against Ipswich Town on 30 August 1978 when his 'presence in midfield was decisive' as he 'buzzed around adding defensive solidity and accuracy in distribution to the department, inspiring his team-mates in counter attacks and directing things with composure and authority' as Blackpool won 2-0.

His consistently good performances were attracting scouts from other clubs and in mid-September 1978 a number of First and Second Division clubs were regularly watching him but Blackpool announced that they were not prepared to sell him. Even so, subsequently moves to Ipswich Town and Aston Villa fell through because neither club would meet Blackpool’s valuation of £150,000, a price tag made to put other clubs off signing him.

In a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in a third round League Cup tie on 4 October 1978 he 'did everything he does best, picking up well, using the ball nicely and controlling the midfield flow with a performance full of authority'. But by mid-November all was not well with manager Bob Stokoe saying that had he had a stronger squad Ronson would have been in the reserve team following some of his displays at the time. He felt that the player’s heart was not in Third Division football.

Stokoe commented, 'Billy thinks I should pat him on the back when I believe he should be criticised for aspects of his game. I am only trying to help the lad become a better player. Had Alan Waldron’s form and attitude been better he would have replaced Billy in the side. I have spoken to Billy about his future at Blackpool. If he wants First division football he has got to prove his ability. I don’t want to keep players who don’t want to play for the club but the current state of the squad means everyone must knuckle down. Billy plays his last game today [11 November 1978] before possibly a three week suspension [he had accumulated 20 penalty points and was to appear before a tribunal the following Tuesday]. If clubs come in for him and he is not prepared to stay and fight for us we will consider it in the appropriate light but I want him to stay and play well for us.'

Ipswich were then back interested in signing him, as were Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall. Stokoe spoke of his appearance before the FA hearing and said, 'I have tried my best to help Billy understand that he cannot take out his own personal frustrations by getting involved in incidents on the pitch. In view of some of the blatant offences he has committed to pick up the 20 penalty points I felt I could not defend his conduct.' Rosnon earned a two-match ban.

He knuckled down after the disappointment of suspension and hearing the transfer news and in January 1979 Stokoe commented, 'I am thrilled with Billy’s attitude. It must have been frustrating for him to undergo trials with Villa and Ipswich and then find that neither were prepared to pay what we wanted, but Billy’s first debt is to himself and the team and if he continues to play well he will get his reward.'

But Stokoe had to apologise publicly to Ronson on 21 February 1979 after the news that he had been placed on the transfer list on 19 February had been leaked to the national press before the player had been told. Stokoe commented, 'I am trying to get everyone pulling together and someone in the boardroom has let me and Billy down. Billy had to bind out about it when he picked up his daily paper and this is just not on.' Stokoe then explained that Ronson’s suspension was over the following Saturday and that he would play for the reserve team on the Monday after. He added, 'I have told Billy he will continue in the first team squad although I hope our midfield trio can prove they have the stuff to battle for points away as well as at home. I have not put a fee on Billy. I will try and get the best deal I can and I would prefer player exchanges. We were fined heavily by the FA last season and are already past 100 [penalty points] with 30 matches to go. The way Billy was going he’d get them on his own and the club cannot afford this problem of Billy niggling at referees.'

Scoring two goals in the League game against Chesterfield on 14 March 1979 earned him the headlines with Ronson Shines As Pool Glow. He 'got into good attacking positions and his finishing was clinical' as Blackpool won 3-1.

In late March 1979 there still had been no bids for Ronson from clubs in the First Division, where he wanted to play. He said that should no club bid for him he was happy to give 100% to the Blackpool cause and added, 'I am not upset that clubs have not come in. I’m happy to do my best for Blackpool as I promised I would.' He had bought a house in the area and was to be married in June and had recently appeared on television. Of that Stokoe commented, 'I let Billy go on television recently to state his case and he has had ample chance to say his piece. Now I want him to keep his mouth shut and let the future take care of itself. I have preached to all the players the need to build a team to have players who respect each other and enjoy playing together.'

The club served him with a two-week ban starting with the game against Bury on 7 April 1979 and he went on to miss four matches because on 14 April he received a two-match ban from the FA, but in effect he only missed one game through the suspension for his club ban did not finish until the first of his two games had passed. The FA suspension was his third of the season and encompassed seven matches as he was banned for reaching 20, 30 and then 40 penalty points. He had gathered 19 bookings in two seasons. He stated that he intended to keep out of trouble adding, 'I have not gone out looking for bother with referees, but I will obviously have to do something about it.'

Despite his disciplinary problems, he played 32 League games, scoring three goals, one FA Cup tie, three League Cup ties and two Central League games for Blackpool in the 1978/79 season. But it was to be his final season in the tangerine jersey.

Blackpool transferred him to Cardiff City for a fee of £135,000 on 14 July 1979 and he missed only one League game for Cardiff in his first season at the club and he won the Cardiff Supporters’ Club ‘Player of the Season’ award. He did even better in his second season for he was an ever-present, was deservedly made club captain and he once again won the ‘Player of the Season’ award.

He had played 90 League games and scored four goals for Cardiff City when he was transferred to Wrexham for a fee of £90,000 in October 1981. He played 31 League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, four FA Cup ties and three Welsh Cup ties for Wrexham before he was transferred to Barnsley in August 1982 for a fee of £50,000.

Barnsley loaned him out to Birmingham City on 8 November 1985 and he played two League games for the Midlands club. Back at Barnsley, he went on to play 111 League games, make two substitute appearances and score three goals.

He re-joined Blackpool as a non-contract player on a month’s trial in January 1986 but he played only three League games and was not on the winning side in any of them. Blackpool drew 0-0 with Reading on 18 January 1986, and lost 1-0 to Derby County and similarly to Chesterfield on 1 and 4 February 1986.

The club released him after three League games in the 1985/86 season by which time he had played over 200 senior games for the club.

After being released by Blackpool he almost immediately jetted off to America after signing for Baltimore Blast on a two-year contract under ex-Fleetwood goalkeeper Kenny Cooper. He subsequently settled in the United States of America, where he died, aged just 58, on 8 April 2015.

Ian Britton was born in Dundee on 19 May 1954. He began his football career as a midfield player with Scottish junior club Hillside Rangers before being spotted by Chelsea for whom he initially signed as a 17-year-old apprentice before signing as a professional in July 1971. He went on to play 279 League and Cup games, make 10 substitute appearances and score 34 goals for Chelsea where he had a reputation for 'a willingness to run for 90 minutes'.

After leaving Chelsea he joined Dundee United in August 1982 and he was a member of the Dundee United squad that won the Scottish League title for the only time in the club's history in 1982/83. He played two games for Arbroath at the start of the 1983/84 season and was signed by Blackpool in November 1983 on a month’s trial from Dundee United, who held his registration.

He made a modest first appearance for Blackpool in the Central League side against Port Vale reserves on 8 November 1983 when Blackpool lost 4-1. Then
on 12 November 1983 he made his first League appearance for Blackpool as a 55th-minute substitute against Doncaster Rovers when he replaced Billy Rodaway in a 2-1 defeat. After another Central League appearance, he made his first Blackpool start in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983 when Blackpool won 2-0. And then the following week he made his first League start for Blackpool against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when Blackpool won 2-1.

He had impressed in his short time at the club and Blackpool were keen to sign him full-time with manager Sam Ellis commenting, 'Ian has intimated that he would like to stay with us. The exact terms and offer will be finalised on Monday [5 December 1983] and hopefully he’ll sign a contract with us.' Fortunately Dundee United were willing to let him go and Blackpool signed him permanently for 'a small fee' in early December 1983.

He scored his first goals for Blackpool, two of them, in a 5-0 defeat of Aldershot on 2 January 1984 and he finished his goalscoring for the season with a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Halifax Town on 7 May 1984. In total he scored nine goals in his 29 League games, plus one as substitute, and he also played in five FA Cup ties and three Central League games in the 1983/84 season.

He was a regular choice in the 1984/85 season and he was an ever-present in the Fourth Division promotion side, playing in all 46 League games, scoring five goals. He also played one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties, scoring one goal, three Lancashire Cup ties, two Associate Members’ Cup ties, scoring one goal, and four friendly games.

He was regularly the star man in the team and when Blackpool defeated Southend United 1-0 on 23 February 1985, the Gazette reported, 'It was only right that Ian Britton should score the winner. His poise and purpose was a constant shaft of light through a fog of muddled play, He popped up in the 50th minute to thread a left-foot shot past the Southend goalkeeper after efforts by Alex Dyer and Paul Stewart were beaten out. Thanks to Britton's promptings, Blackpool at least carved out some decent second-half chances.'

He played the first four League games of the following season before losing his place in the side. But he returned on and off during the remainder of the season and in all he played in 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties, two Lancashire Cup ties, plus making one substitute appearance, 11 Central League games and one pre-season friendly game in the 1985/86 season.

As the 1986/87 was about to begin, Blackpool made the decision to loan him to Burnley for a month in August 1986 and on 22 September 1986 the club gave permission for him to stay at Burnley for a second month’s loan.

He was later transferred to Burnley on a permanent basis after his Blackpool career had encompassed 100 League games, plus five substitute appearances, scoring 15 goals, seven FA Cup ties, plus one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, four League Cup ties, scoring one goal, 14 Central League appearances, two Associate Members Cup ties, scoring one goal, two Lancashire League Cup ties, plus making one substitute appearance, and five friendly games. In all of his games he always gave 100 per cent and although his goalscoring was relatively modest, his approach play created many goals for the club.

And it was at Burnley that he wrote his name large in the annals of the history of Burnley Football Club when, on the final day of the season, he scored the goal that preserved their League status on 9 May 1987. His 48th-minute headed goal saw Orient defeated 2-1 and Burnley remained in The Football League by a single point. He went on to play 102 League games, make six substitute appearances and score 10 goals for Burnley up to the 1988/89 season, after which the club released him.

He had a short spell managing non-league Nelson in the mid-1990s and thereafter he continued to play football, turning out on occasions for the Chelsea Old Boys side, appearing for the team as late as 2008.

He continued to live in East Lancashire where he was the manager of the Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre operated by Pendle Leisure Trust and he was a regular attendee at Burnley games, often as a guest of honour.

After a long illness with prostate cancer, he died on 31 March 2016. His funeral in Burnley was attended by his former Chelsea team-mates Ray Wilkins and Clive Walker, along with many other former players who wanted to pay their tributes to a player who had made over 500 appearances during his stellar career.

William (Billy) Park 1919 -2016

Billy Park was born in Gateshead on 23 February 1919 and was regarded as a 'clever inside forward who also plays left half' throughout his junior career. He was signed by Blackpool as an amateur on 12 September 1934 from Felling Red Star FC. The north east club was sent a donation of £20 in recognition of allowing Park to sign.

Blackpool signed him after watching him play for his club against Newcastle United reserves when eight other League clubs including the likes of Everton, Sunderland and Bradford were reportedly interested in signing him. He was a schoolboy international.

Sir Lindsay Parkinson, Blackpool's chairman, got him a clerical job in Catterall and Swarbrick’s brewery at Talbot Road and he went to night school to study mechanical engineering. And to give him more footballing experience, Blackpool loaned him out, short-term, to Leyland Motors FC in October 1934.

He returned to the club and made his Central League debut at inside left in a 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic reserves on 15 December 1934. It was to be his only senior appearance of the season.

He was offered £2 10s 0d [£2.50] in February 1936 to turn professional but he requested £4. Blackpool’s Board of Directors decided to wait and watch him in another game in the Northern Mid Week League before deciding what action to take. He was later offered £3 per week to the end of the 1935/36 season or £3 10s 0d [£3.50] if he trained full time. When he returned home to the north east, long-time Blackpool player Albert Watson, who had lived in the same street in the north east, called to see him and his mother to 'point out the merits of the club’s offer'. As an ambassador for the club, Watson advised him to sign as a professional.

When Blackpool defeated Oldham Athletic 4-0 on 26 February 1936 in the North West Mid-Week League side the critics commented that there was 'a lot of promise in the play of Park, a stubborn defensive centre half'.

He was still undecided about signing as a professional in March 1936 and he refused an increased offer of £4 per week that would have been his wage providing he was in full-time training. To resolve the situation, in April 1936 his mother was invited down to Blackpool from the north east to discuss the issue of him signing as a professional. On his behalf, she stated that the minimum he would be prepared to accept was £5 per week during the season. However, he eventually signed on 29 April 1936 at a wage of £4 10s 0d [£4.50] per week for the rest of the season and for the 1937/38 season. His weekly wage during the summer was £3.

He made no senior appearances for the club in the 1935/36 and 1936/37 seasons, playing only in the Northern Mid-Week League side and in the Blackpool ‘A’ side.
However, he made his first Central League appearance of the 1937/38 season at left back in a 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers on 6 September 1937 and he finished the 1937/38 season with 27 Central League appearances to his name.

Once more he refused the terms of £3 10s 0d [£3.50] summer, £4 10s 0d [£4.50] winter plus an extra £2 if and when he played in the first team for the 1938/39 season but he did remain with the club on his previous terms.

After continuing in the Central League side and having a north east newspaper headline Billy Park is Making a Big Hit with Blackpool in late October 1938, he finally made his League debut, a late replacement for influenza victim Eric Hayward, at centre half in a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 31 December 1938 when it was said, 'He is no stranger to the position but he had played his first games for Blackpool as a full back [sic]'. Hayward returned for the following game and Park reverted to the Central League side.

He returned to the League side when he replaced the injured Malcolm Butler at left back for the game anther 4-0 victory, this time against Middlesbrough on 15 April 1938. And his final game of the season was against Brentford on 29 April 1938 when another late training injury to Eric Hayward allowed him a further game at centre half. Blackpool drew 1-1 when he 'revealed plenty of composure and before the end was settling to his game in an unfamiliar position … but in the first half-hour he was in a force whose clearances were always a dozen yards short or hurriedly mis-hit to the wrong man'. The after-match comment was 'William Park may one day be a centre half in the old tradition. Not for him, however intense the pressure facing him, a clearance anywhere. Yet in this game there was probably not the decision in his game which a desperate retreat demanded. This young man nevertheless has such composure that one day he will come.'

He ended the 1938/39 season having played in three League games and 35 Central League games.

He was re signed by Blackpool for the (later aborted) 1939/40 season at a wage of £4 10s 0d [£4.50] summer, £5 10s 0d [£5.50] winter plus £2 extra when appearing in the first team. But Herr Hitler intervened and by January 1940 he was reported as being 'in khaki', serving much of his time as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) in Northern Ireland, where he played a number of games for Distillery. During wartime he also played a number of games as a guest for Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Bath City.

He was transfer listed by Blackpool at a fee of £500 in March 1946 although he was offered terms for the 1946/47 season of £5 summer, £6 winter and £10 if and when playing in the first team. Knowing that he was transfer-listed, Horden Colliery Welfare offered him a post as player-manager, with the added bonus of a house, but Blackpool manager Joe Smith would not allow him to go even though he had still not re signed for Blackpool in September 1946. He then asked to be given a free transfer.

He was finally transferred to York City in September 1946 with another Blackpool player, Leslie Forster, for a combined fee of £450 plus an extra £300 if Park played in 12 first team games. He played in 26 League games for York in the 1946/47 season, scoring one goal and presumably Blackpool received their extra £300 based on the number of his appearances. He had played three League games and 63 Central League games for Blackpool.

While at York he studied electrical engineering so as to enhance his career prospects with the British Railways, where he had found employment. National Service prevented him from playing for York City in the 1947/48 season and he joined non-league Scarborough as a part-time player in the 1948 close season. He retained his job with the railways in York while playing for Scarborough.

He subsequently moved with his job to Bath and then to Newton Abbot, Devon, where, having been Blackpool's oldest surviving player, he died on 19 July 2016.

Russell James Coughlin 1960-2016

Russell Coughlin was born in Swansea on 15 February 1960 and after playing junior football as a midfield player and representing the Welsh Schools side and Wales Youth he was spotted by Manchester City and signed for the club as an amateur in July 1976. It was during his time with City that he had his first flirtation with Blackpool Football Club when he played for City Youth against Blackpool Youth in an FA Youth Cup first round tie in November 1976. He turned professional with Manchester City in March 1978.

But despite his undoubted talent he was unable to break into the then strong City first team and he was transferred to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £40,000 in March 1979. It was at Rovers that he had his second flirtation with Blackpool for in a pre-season Anglo-Scottish Cup tie against the Seasiders that was drawn 2-2 on 1 August 1979 he was unfortunately sent off. During his time at Ewood Park he played 22 League games and made two substitute appearances and one League Cup tie plus making one substitute appearance in that competition.

He was on the move again in October 1980 when Rovers transferred him to Carlisle United for a fee of £20,000. He was a popular player at Carlisle, where he was later to settle, and he played 114 League games, made 16 substitute appearances and scored 13 goals for the club before moving on once again.

This time he joined Plymouth Argyle for a fee of £20,000 in July 1984. He played 128 League games, made three substitute appearances and scored 18 goals for Plymouth and won Third Division promotion honours with the club in the 1985/86 season. And then came his third, and most important, connection with Blackpool when Plymouth transferred him to the club in November 1987 for a fee of £75,000 after Blackpool manager Sam Ellis had taken a distinct liking to his style of play.

He made his League debut for Blackpool against Chesterfield on 12 December 1987 when the game was drawn 1-1 and in his fourth game he scored his first Blackpool goal in a 1-1 draw with Notts County on 28 December 1987. He went on to play 24 League games, scoring two goals, and four FA Cup ties in the 1987/88 season when Blackpool finished 10th in Division Three.

He was the first name on the team sheet the following season and he only missed three League games, and those through injury, playing 42 League games plus making one substitute appearance and scoring five goals when he often played out of position, partnering Andy Garner up front. He also played three FA Cup ties and five League Cup ties, scoring one goal, in that 1988/89 season when Blackpool declined to 19th position in Division Three.

Having played the opening three games of the 1989/90 season, it seemed that his time at Bloomfield Road was perhaps coming to an end and manager Jimmy Mullen loaned him to Shrewsbury Town in September 1990 and he played four League games and made one substitute appearance for the club. But he returned to Blackpool and with Mullen restoring him back to his favoured midfield position he ended up playing 33 League games plus making one substitute appearance and scoring one goal, six FA Cup ties and four League Cup ties in a disastrous season for the Seasiders as they were relegated to Division Four.

Mullen had resigned towards the end of the 1989/90 season and the new manager did not have him in his plans so, although he remained at the club for some months he did not return to first team action and was transferred to Swansea Town in October 1990. While at Blackpool he was considered 'a solid and creative midfielder' and he had played 99 League games, plus making two substitute appearances and scoring eight goals, 13 FA Cup ties and nine League Cup ties, scoring one goal, up to the time of his transfer.

He went on to play 99 League games, make two substitute appearances and score two goals for Swansea before, in July 1993, being transferred to Exeter City where he played 64 League games and made four substitute appearances. And then his final League club was also in the west country when he joined Torquay United to whom he was transferred in October 1995. He remained only one season, playing 22 League games and making three substitute appearances. By the time of his retirement from League football he had made over 600 first team appearances for his various clubs during his illustrious career.

He later had spells with non-league clubs Dorchester Town and Gretna Green before settling in Carlisle, where he continued to play football of the five-a-side variety.

Sadly he died at the wheel of his car following an accident in Carlisle on 3 August 2016. Tributes from all his clubs were fulsome and he will be sadly missed by family, friends and supporters.

David George Durie 1931-2016

Dave Durie was born in Blackpool on 13 August 1931 and played his junior football as an inside left for Baines Grammar School, which he attended, Waterloo Welfare Youth Club and Oxford Amateurs. It was from the last named club that Blackpool signed him as an amateur on 10 March 1952.

After playing a few games in the Blackpool 'B' side, he made his Central League debut in a 2-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday reserves at Hillsborough on 19 April 1952. He also played in the final Central League game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Chesterfield reserves on 26 April 1952. He then made his first team debut in a friendly game against Hamburg Sport Verein on 30 April 1952 when he 'showed flashes of the skill that promised well for the future' as Blackpool lost 2 0. These were the only three senior games he played for the club in the 1951/52 season.

Blackpool were pleased with his early showing so he was signed as a part time professional on 5 May 1952. Thereafter he always maintained his part time status saying, 'I believe that a job outside football helps your mental and physical outlook, especially towards training. I know that after a spell at work training comes as a pleasure. I look forward to it, and because of that I feel I get real benefit from my training.' He added 'I advocate strongly a footballer taking a part time job, providing that he is given time off in the day to train and, provided also he does not take a job that is too exhausting. Not hod carrying for instance!' He worked in the family wholesale green grocery business in Elizabeth Street, Blackpool.

After a number of Central League games in the early part of the 1952/53 season, he made his League debut at inside left against Charlton Athletic on 23 February 1953 when Blackpool lost 2-0. Then on 25 March 1953 as Cardiff City defeated Blackpool 1-0 he helped set a precedent as the local press reported, 'The Durie-Wright left wing is one of the first comprising two players out of Fylde football to be fielded by Blackpool in the First Division.'

He went on to score his first League goal in a 5-1 defeat by Middlesbrough on 11 April 1953 and a week later, returning to Central League action on 18 April, he scored three goals in a 4-0 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday reserves when 'Wright and Durie, Blackpool’s left wing played havoc with Wednesday’s defence, and even Lythgoe on the right appeared formidable.' He ended the season having played eight League games, scoring one goal, and 31 Central League games, scoring 10 goals and in the League he played five games in his accustomed inside left position, two games at outside left and one game at inside right. Not surprisingly at the close of the 1952/53 season he was regarded as one 'destined to win fame', along with Cyril Robinson, Billy Wright, Stanley Hepton and Ken Booth.

In the following two seasons he only made occasional first team appearances, mainly playing in the Central League side, and there was talk of him not being retained for the 1955/56 season but the part timer stayed on and made an immediate impression by starting the Central League season with five goals in seven games. He worked his way back into the League side and ended the season with 14 goals in 16 games as well as playing in one FA Cup tie and 22 Central League games, in which he scored 13 goals. He was regarded as having a 'somewhat awkward style to watch' - he was affectionately nicknamed 'Legs' because of his long gangling legs - but he was deemed 'a hard working, conscientious clubman and a difficult man to subdue.'

He scored his first League hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Everton on 22 August 1956 and his form was such that he was selected for a representative honour, playing for an FA XI against the RAF on 10 October 1956. Despite scoring four goals in that game he found himself only as travelling reserve for the following game against the Army on 7 November 1956. Then he was selected for England ‘B’ against Scotland ‘B’ at St Andrews on 6 February 1957 but he was obliged to miss the game through injury.

He scored his second League hat-trick of the 1956/57 season in a 4-3 win over Cardiff City on 9 March 1957 and he finished the season with 20 goals, second only to Mudie's 32, in 38 League games. He also scored two goals in four FA Cup ties.

He played for an FA XI against the RAF on 9 October 1957 and later that season, in his 100th League and Cup game for the club he scored his 50th goal after 61 minutes to put Blackpool 3-1 in front against Manchester City on 1 March 1958. Unfortunately Blackpool lost the game 4-3. In 33 League games in the 1957/58 season he scored 14 goals and he also played one FA Cup tie.

His weekly wage for the 1958/59 season was increased to £13 in the summer and £15 in the winter and this wage structure was to last through to the end of the 1960/61 season.

He added another string to his bow when against Leeds United on 15 November 1958 following a collision with Alan Shackleton, George Farm was carried off on a stretcher and David Durie had to take over in goal. In the final minute he 'pulled off a magnificent save when he fell to his right to punch out Shackleton’s shot' as the game was drawn 1-1 [The game was at Elland Road and having gone with my Dad, I remember the game and more particularly the save well!] He went on to play 38 League games, scoring nine goals, and six FA Cup ties, scoring two goals, in that 1958/59 season.

In the 1959/60 season he scored two hat tricks, the first against Burnley, who went on to become champions, in a 4 1 win at Turf Moor on 10 October 1959 and the second against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup third round tie on 9 January 1960. [I was fortunately at both games.] But later in the season manager Ron Suart moved him to left half and in his first game in that position he still managed to score one of Blackpool’s goals in a 4-2 victory over Leeds United on 5 March 1960. Then after a few games in the new position he said, 'I’m still very much an apprentice, as it were, and in each game I am learning new things. But I must say I have settled into the position much quicker than I expected.' He later added, 'I prefer to play in a position where I am enjoying my game and at present I am enjoying my game at left half.' That season he played 32 League games, scoring 10 goals, and three FA Cup ties, scoring three goals.

Thereafter he appeared mostly at left half, and he was so successful that his name was one of the first on the team sheet each week for the following three seasons. And in recognition of his performances his all-year-round weekly wage for the following two seasons was increased to a basic £15 with an extra £5 when he played in the first team. And he was regularly earning that maximum £20 per week for he played 36 League games, scoring six goals, and two League Cup ties, scoring one goal, in the 1960/61 season, 40 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and eight League Cup ties in the 1961/62 season and 40 League games, scoring four goals, two FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1962/63 season.

He did on one further occasion demonstrate his goalkeeping skills as, after 10 minutes of the game against Leicester City on 10 March 1962 goalkeeper Tony Waiters was injured and had to leave the field. Durie took over in goal and, with Blackpool winning 2-1, he earned the headline in that night’s Green THIS WAS DAVE DURIE’S DAY Waiters hurt, deputy ‘keeper makes saves galore. The comment to support the headline was 'Dave Durie’s display as an emergency goalkeeper might have been unorthodox. It was certainly unconventional at times, but however you wish to describe it, his performance helped to lift this game out of the rut. There were times when he seemed to weave a good luck spell around his goal, but more often than not he displayed astonishing anticipation, confidence and agility, and some of his saves were straight out of the soccer textbook.'

By the 1963/64 season Bill Cranston was pressing for a first team place and Durie shared the duties with him until Cranston finally took over full time. So Durie played his final seven League games for Blackpool back in the forward line, at inside left, inside right and even at centre forward. And it was while replacing the injured Ray Charnley at centre forward that he played his 300th League game, when after 11 years’ sterling service as a part time professional, he returned to the side and scored a consolation goal in a 5 1 defeat by Chelsea on 26 December. And what turned out to be his final League game for the club was also against Chelsea in the return match on 28 December when Blackpool lost 1-0.

It was in a way ironic that his final games for the club should be over the Christmas period for Durie always exercised the privilege, contained in every professional footballer’s contract at the time, of not playing on Christmas Day and Good Friday. He said of his decision 'I have nothing against those who do play on those days. I think it’s a matter for the individual.' And he chose not to play.

In December 1963 he received arguably the ultimate accolade when club managers, players and the PFA voted David Durie as the best example of a player who had never been sent off, never been booked and never been guilty of any petty actions after over 300 League and Cup games. It certainly summed up the man, who was a gentleman through and through.

He played out the remainder of the 1963/64 season in the Central League side, captaining the side in his final game at Bloomfield Road on 25 April 1964 when, fittingly, he scored the goal, a penalty, in a 1 0 win over Burnley reserves. He played 12 League games, scoring three goals, two League Cup ties, scoring one goal, and 25 Central League games, scoring four goals, in that final 1963/64 season. And his Blackpool career had encompassed 301 League games, scoring 84 goals, 19 FA Cup ties, scoring seven goals, 15 League Cup ties, scoring two goals, and 130 Central League games, scoring 39 goals.

He retired when his contract expired at Bloomfield Road on 30 June 1964 and Blackpool manager Ronnie Suart commented, 'Dave feels that he hasn’t much future as far as our first team is concerned, but I can tell you we are sorry to see him retire. He has been a great servant to the club, a credit to us, both on and off the field. I hope we have many more like Dave Durie at Bloomfield Road.'

Having declined an offer to become player manager of Lancashire combination side Morecambe in February 1964 and commenting on his decision with 'The future, my future that is, is uncertain. We shall just have to wait on events' and not being interested in Oldham Athletic's interest in signing him as a part time professional, he signed a full time contract for former Blackpool team-mate Peter Hauser’s Chester in September 1964. Justifying his decision, he said that he couldn’t bear to be on the sidelines and commented, 'I just had to come back.' He went on to play 87 League games, make two substitute appearances and score four goals for Chester, finishing with the club in the 1966/67 season.

He later joined Fleetwood as player-coach under former team-mate Jimmy Kelly and he subsequently took charge of the club when Kelly emigrated to Australia. But, as player-manager, he broke his leg and that set him thinking. He later commented, 'It gave me time to take a long look at the game and I realised that managership wasn’t for me.' He left Fleetwood in October 1968 when the club hit a lean spell in the newly formed Northern Premier League; he commented briefly that he regarded the dismissal as 'unfair'. However he did continue his association with football for he spent some time from 1970 onwards on the coaching staff of the Lancashire Schools’ Football Association.

After retirement from the game altogether, he taught physical education and religious instruction at Palatine School, Blackpool, and he later became a driving instructor, running his own business until final retirement.

He continued to live in Blackpool and was always delighted to chat with fans about the club. And, reflecting on his Blackpool career in October 1976, he recalled, 'I never saw the inside of a football ground as a player until I was 21. If that happened now I would be considered too old. I didn’t make the first team until I was 23, having gone through the colts, ‘A’, ‘B’ and reserve teams. I have never been coached in my life. You didn’t get trained under the old regime. But I am an FA coach myself which helped me to get this job [teaching at Palatine School].' He described his coaching work as rewarding but frustrating and added, 'You coach lads and see them mature then they go up a year and you have to start all over again. It is like a football club manager having to sell all his players at the end of every season.' After his stint in management he went to college and remembering that he commented, 'I had always been sport-minded and I worked out that the ideal profession would be to teach sport, and qualify as an FA coach so I could combine teaching and football. I went to college for three years at Chorley and marked time until qualifying. For four years now I have been at Palatine. During that spell I realised the unfairness of soccer. It was insecure.' He continued, 'I was born within sight of the ground and I watch Blackpool quite often. It is nice to see them playing wingers. They must come back because they are the most effective means of attack when you have two good strikers.' As to the future he said, 'I am not very ambitious really. I have left it too late to get to the top in teaching. I am happy and that is the main thing. I am a keen churchgoer and get involved in that sort of thing, and I like walking our Labrador dog. Also, I’m paid to keep myself fit. I could have done better at school and it is important to strike a happy medium between lessons and sport. Not like me. I was putting my boots on under the desk waiting for the bell to go before a game. That was bad. I would cycle to and from Baines Grammar School and I would arrive home at all hours after matches. But how can you regret something that has given you enormous pleasure?' A fitting final comment from one of the games nicest men.

He died after a long illness on 30 August 2016.

Peter Noble was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 19 August 1944 and was a forward cum midfield player who had started his senior football career with Consett. From there he was signed by Newcastle United in November 1964. He went on to play 22 League games, make three substitute appearances and scored seven goals for Newcastle before he was transferred to Swindon Town in January 1968 for a fee of £8,000.

He was Swindon Town's top goalscorer in the 1969/70, 1970/71 and 1971/72 seasons with 16 League goals, 12 and 14 respectively and overall he played 251 games for Swindon, plus making five substitute appearances, and scoring 80 goals. He also helped the club to a treble in1968/69 season when the club won promotion from the Third Division, won the League Cup and also won the Anglo-Italian Cup.

Swindon fans were disappointed when he was transferred to Burnley in June 1973 for a fee of £35,000, although some reports state £40,000. Perhaps surprisingly, Burnley originally played him as a full back but, being (sensibly) moved to midfield he became the club's top scorer for three of the following four seasons. He went on to play 241 League games, make two substitute appearances (299 appearances overall) and score 63 goals for the club.

By the time he joined Blackpool, for a fee of £25,000 in January 1980, he had already earned the nickname Uwe, which came from the fact that he had a similar hairstyle to the then=German ace Uwe Seeler.

He made his League debut for Blackpool against Southend United on 18 January 1980 when he scored Blackpool’s goal in a 1-0 victory and by the end of the 1979/80 season he played 14 League games and had scored two goals for the club; his second goal came in a 2-2 draw with Millwall on 29 March 1980.

He missed the start of the 1980/81 season due to a reoccurrence of an old knee injury and the nature of the injury meant that there was serious doubt about his first team future at Bloomfield Road. This was especially so when, after just three games, he broke down again but his determination was such that by the later stages of the season he was ready for first team action once more. And he played 13 of the final 14 League games of the season, scoring one goal in a 3-2 defeat by Chesterfield on 21 March 1981. But his efforts were not enough to prevent Blackpool from finishing 23rd in Division Three and suffering relegation to Division Four.

When manager Alan Ball had been in charge of Blackpool in the 1980/81 season Noble was seriously considered as reserve team coach but, although he was considered an inspired choice he still had plenty of appetite for playing and was not keen on relinquishing that role. Similarly he had been in with a chance of the manager’s job at both Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United but he preferred to carry on playing.

He had his most prolific season with Blackpool in 1981/82 when he missed only two League games, playing 44 League games and scoring nine goals in addition to playing in all five FA Cup ties and one League Cup tie. But age was beginning to catch up with him in 1982/83 and although he was always an inspiration to his side, he was in and out of the team, playing 21 League games plus making five substitute appearances and scoring two goals plus playing in two FA Cup ties and two League Cup ties. Even so it was a sad day for supporters when he severed his connection with Blackpool after that 182/83 season for his 100% commitment was always an inspiration to any side in which he played.

One record that he was pleased to have was that as a regular penalty taker he never missed from the spot, scoring all 28 penalties that he took.

Life after football saw him run a sportswear business in Burnley, Peter Noble Sport Ltd, but he decided to retire when the larger companies moved into the town.

Speaking of his career in May 2004 he said, “I went down the pit when I left school but soon decided it wasn’t for me. I tried for a job as an electrician, only to find it had been filled so I ended up as a painter and decorator. One night a pal was playing a trial game at Consett and I went along to watch. They were a man short and the manager asked if I fancied a game. I had my boots in the car so I gave it a go. I got chosen and my pal didn’t. I scored a lot of goals and before long Newcastle offered me terms. My Dad couldn’t believe it. He was a fanatical Sunderland fan and refused to set foot in St James’s Park, even though his son was playing there! He only went to away games.” Of his move to Burnley he commented, “I had seven great years at Turf Moor, they were in the old First Division during my first few seasons with Jimmy Adamson in charge. But after Jimmy left, they started selling players and gradually fell away. I never wanted to leave and thought there might be a chance for me on the coaching side. But that didn’t work out and I ended up finishing my career at Blackpool.” He concluded by saying that, bad knees allowing, he would still sometimes go down to Turf Moor to watch Burnley.

A fitting tribute to Peter Noble was that In 2006 at a special dinner at Turf Moor, along with a number of other players, he was officially declared a 'Burnley Football Club Legend' by the East Lancashire club.

He died on 6 May 2017.

Dermot Drummy was born in Hackney, London, on 18 January 1961 and although, at just 19-years-of-age, he only spent a very short time at Blackpool Football Club, he is still an integral part of the history of the club.

He was a midfield player who was signed by Blackpool on loan to the end of the 1979/80 season in March 1980 from Arsenal. He had joined Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1974 and became an apprentice before signing for the club as a professional in January 1979. At the time of his loan he had made no first team appearances for Arsenal but he was highly rated there.

On his signing, Blackpool’s general manager Freddie Scott commented, 'It is very hard to break into the Arsenal first team because of all the competition for places at Highbury.' And Blackpool manager Alan Ball commented on the highly rated centre or right sided midfield player, 'This lad could keep me out of the side.'

He made his League debut for Blackpool against Exeter City on 15 March 1980 when Blackpool won 1-0 and he was 'quietly brilliant in the first half when Doyle’s appetite for the fray gave him the necessary space'. Indeed, 'MacDougall, Fletcher and Drummy were all close to goals in the first half and a host of chances went begging.' However, he 'went off a touch, often because of a swirling wind, in the second half' but player-coach Ted MacDougall expressed the view 'Dermot impressed me. I’ll tell Bally that he’ll be pushed to shift this lad once he’s had a couple of games. He was quietly beavering away, making pieces of the jigsaw fit with players he had only known for two days. His lack of physical presence was more than compensated for by his vision, and speed of reaction. It would have been fitting had a fine shot near the end beaten Ian Main and not been met with a good save.'

His second and third appearances for the club both ended in defeat, a 2-0 defeat by Carlisle United on 18 March 1980 and a 4-1 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on 22 March 1980. In both games he had quiet games and did nothing noteworthy.

He made what turned out to be his final start for Blackpool in a 2-2 draw with Millwall on 29 March 1980 when, unfortunately, his most notable moment was when he was booked for 'an off the ball scuffle with Roberts'.

Although he was left out of the starting line-up and sat on the substitute's bench for the game against Barnsley on 4 April 1980, Alan Ball made it known, 'He is still part of the club’s plans.' And what turned out to be his final game for Blackpool was when he replaced Peter Noble as a half-time substitute in that game and he 'came into midfield and played his best football for Blackpool'. The game was drawn 1-1. In view of this latter comment, it was something of a surprise that he did not appear for Blackpool again and his loan spell saw him play four League games and make one substitute appearance for Blackpool in the 1979/80 season. He then returned to Arsenal, who, with a wealth of talent on their books, released him in the close season, without him having appeared in their first team.

He joined Isthmian League side Hendon for the 1980/81 season and, after leaving Hendon, he went on to play for Wealdstone, Enfield, Ware and St Albans City. He was later player manager at Ware in the 1996/97 season but he left the club halfway through the season to become youth team coach at Arsenal.

He moved on from Arsenal and he was team manager at the Chelsea Academy from 2009 to 2011 and he was in charge of the Chelsea side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2009/10 when they defeated Aston Villa 3-2 on aggregate, drawing 1-1 at Villa Park and winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in front of a crowd of 10,446.

He went on to become reserve team manager at Chelsea from 2011 to 2014 and he met with further success when he was in charge of the side that won the Under-21 Premier League in the 2013/14 season.

In June 2015 he was apparently offered the manager's job at Brazilian side Bangu but he turned down the offer. Then on 27 April 2016 he was appointed head coach at Crawley Town and he remained with the club until 4 May 2017, overseeing 54 games of which 15 were won, 12 were drawn and 27 were lost..

He died on 27 November 2017 at the age of only 56. Crawley's official heart-warming tribute to him was 'Everyone at the club is devastated by the news that our former manager Dermot Drummy passed away earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We will be issuing a full statement tomorrow after speaking to Dermot's family. Dermot was a real people person. He had time for everyone at the club and he loved to make us laugh! He brought many of the current squad to Crawley and they are as stunned as we all are at this terrible news.'

And Swansea boss Paul Clement, who worked closely with him at Chelsea, commented, 'Shocked to hear of the death of my former colleague from Chelsea FC, Dermot Drummy. Very sad. Rest In Peace.' Indeed, rest in peace Dermot and thanks for the short spell that you had with the Seasiders.