Gerry Wolstenholme's Blog
September 15, 2025
James Christopher (Jimmy) Armfield: A Short Profile
It does make me realise how time flies as we celebrate what would have been Jimmy’s 90th birthday as I was lucky enough to have begun watching him in his first full season!
He was undoubtedly one of the very best full backs to ever pull on a tangerine shirt. He brought a new dimension to the game with his overlapping runs down the wing and as a one-club man he played in a record number of games for the Seasiders.
He was born in Denton, Manchester on 21 September 1935 and came to the Fylde Coast to attend Arnold School where he was an all-round sportsman, playing rugby and also being in the cricket, swimming and athletics teams.
But it was as a footballing outside right that he was signed by Blackpool as an amateur in 1952 from the Blackpool Association of Boys’ Clubs. He made his first appearance at full back in a game for the ‘A’ team in which the full back got injured and Jimmy was pulled back to deputise. Thus began a long and prosperous career in the position.
Blackpool manager Joe Smith offered him a professional contract before he played his first Central League game in the 1954/55 season. ‘At 17, Blackpool cannot afford to lose a player of his quality’, said Mr Smith. Jimmy duly signed as a professional on 4 September 1954 as Mr Smith prophesied England honours for the youngster.
He made his League debut on 27 December 1954 at Portsmouth when Blackpool lost 3-0 and his second League game against Manchester United on 1 January 1955 was lost 4-1, so it had been an inauspicious start to his League career.
Representative honours soon followed, firstly for an Army representative side in January 1956 and then he was selected for England U23 v Scotland U23 at Hillsborough on 8 February 1956 after little more than 20 League games. However, illness prevented him from playing but he was not to be denied for long for he played for the Football League representative side in April 1956.
His performances were noted everywhere and he was voted Young Footballer of the Year in 1958/59. He made his full England debut on 13 May 1959 and this began an international career of 43 games, 15 of them as captain of the side. In addition he was voted the best right back in the world during the 1962 World Cup finals and he was also voted the best right back in Europe for three successive seasons, 1962-1964. He also narrowly missed being voted Footballer of the Year in 1966 when he was just pipped by Bobby Charlton.
He was made Blackpool captain in January 1961 and proved to be an inspirational figure leading the side. But he sensationally asked for a transfer on 19 October 1963. The ‘request exploded like a bomb’ on the club and, not surprisingly, it was turned down. He went on to complete 568 League games, 33 FA Cup ties and 25 League Cup ties, a grand total of 626 appearances for Blackpool, playing his final game in 1-1 draw with Manchester United on 1 May 1971. And he was only booked once and that controversially (as he once told me) against Norwich City on 6 March 1963.
He subsequently went into management with Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers before settling down as a well-respected journalist and radio pundit as well as doing important ad hoc jobs for the Football Association. `
Long may he remain in the memories of Seasiders' fans.
He was undoubtedly one of the very best full backs to ever pull on a tangerine shirt. He brought a new dimension to the game with his overlapping runs down the wing and as a one-club man he played in a record number of games for the Seasiders.
He was born in Denton, Manchester on 21 September 1935 and came to the Fylde Coast to attend Arnold School where he was an all-round sportsman, playing rugby and also being in the cricket, swimming and athletics teams.
But it was as a footballing outside right that he was signed by Blackpool as an amateur in 1952 from the Blackpool Association of Boys’ Clubs. He made his first appearance at full back in a game for the ‘A’ team in which the full back got injured and Jimmy was pulled back to deputise. Thus began a long and prosperous career in the position.
Blackpool manager Joe Smith offered him a professional contract before he played his first Central League game in the 1954/55 season. ‘At 17, Blackpool cannot afford to lose a player of his quality’, said Mr Smith. Jimmy duly signed as a professional on 4 September 1954 as Mr Smith prophesied England honours for the youngster.
He made his League debut on 27 December 1954 at Portsmouth when Blackpool lost 3-0 and his second League game against Manchester United on 1 January 1955 was lost 4-1, so it had been an inauspicious start to his League career.
Representative honours soon followed, firstly for an Army representative side in January 1956 and then he was selected for England U23 v Scotland U23 at Hillsborough on 8 February 1956 after little more than 20 League games. However, illness prevented him from playing but he was not to be denied for long for he played for the Football League representative side in April 1956.
His performances were noted everywhere and he was voted Young Footballer of the Year in 1958/59. He made his full England debut on 13 May 1959 and this began an international career of 43 games, 15 of them as captain of the side. In addition he was voted the best right back in the world during the 1962 World Cup finals and he was also voted the best right back in Europe for three successive seasons, 1962-1964. He also narrowly missed being voted Footballer of the Year in 1966 when he was just pipped by Bobby Charlton.
He was made Blackpool captain in January 1961 and proved to be an inspirational figure leading the side. But he sensationally asked for a transfer on 19 October 1963. The ‘request exploded like a bomb’ on the club and, not surprisingly, it was turned down. He went on to complete 568 League games, 33 FA Cup ties and 25 League Cup ties, a grand total of 626 appearances for Blackpool, playing his final game in 1-1 draw with Manchester United on 1 May 1971. And he was only booked once and that controversially (as he once told me) against Norwich City on 6 March 1963.
He subsequently went into management with Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers before settling down as a well-respected journalist and radio pundit as well as doing important ad hoc jobs for the Football Association. `
Long may he remain in the memories of Seasiders' fans.
July 19, 2025
Vitality Blast Tie
An accident on the motorway delayed the arrival of some members of the Lancashire side so consequently the game between Lancashire Thunder and Somerset Women at Blackpool’s Stanley Park had to be reduced to 17 overs per side. But this did not diminish the drama that followed in the ensuing 34 overs with the result of the game resting on the final ball. Requiring seven runs to win, Lancashire’s Alana King swung Mollie Robbins over fine leg for six leaving the game dramatically tied at 114 runs each!
The drama even began in the first over when there was a dropped catch at slip before Bex Odgers struck a six over mid-wicket and was then caught by Darcey Carter off the final ball of the over from Tara Norris.
Somerset advanced the total to 29 then lost four wickets in the space of 15 balls as Mahika Gaur struck three times, dismissing Niamh Holland, eight, Fran Wilson without scoring, and Amanda-Jade Wellington, four to finish her spell with an impressive 3-15. King added the wicket of Ruby Davis for 12 to leave Somerset reeling at 43-5.
In stepped skipper Sophie Luff, by far the most accomplished Somerset batter, and with Alex Griffiths added a useful 56 for the sixth wicket. The partnership ended when Luff, four boundaries in her 36, fell to a diving catch at deep mid-off by Norris off Grace Potts with the total on a more respectable 99. Griffiths finished with 29 not out, including four boundaries, and Chloe Skelton with two as the innings closed at 114-6.
In reply, Lancashire began positively and Eve Jones, 18, and Seren Smale, 25, put on 34 for the first wicket before Tilly Kesteven, 19, and Ailsa Lister, 17, took the total to 78. And despite the loss of Fi Morris first ball, at 78-4 in 12.3 overs Lancashire looked to be heading for victory. But and Wellington completed her excellent spell of 3-24 that slightly somewhat put the brakes on the Lancashire advance. And with Luff inspiring her side with some good fielding the game entered its final over with Thunder at 102-7, requiring 13 for victory. What followed could not have been scripted!
Robbins with her first two overs costing just 11 runs was trusted with that final over and it began in dramatic fashion. The first ball bowled skipper Ellie Threlkeld for 11 and the second had Norris driving into the safe hands of Luff at mid-on. Thirteen runs now required from four balls with the pendulum looking as though it may have swung Somerset’s way. But next ball Robbins disastrously bowled a wide … still 13 runs from four balls!
King had been joined by Carter who drove her first legitimate ball fiercely towards Luff, who had fielded magnificently all afternoon and marshalled her side so well, at mid-on but the Somerset captain was unable to take the catch and the pair ran a single … 11 runs required from three balls.
Robbins’ next ball was also driven at Luff, who once again, despite two attempts dropped the catch again and the resultant fumble allowed a two to be run … nine runs now required from two balls. Somerset almost had the game won.
And when King took two runs from the penultimate ball, barring a disaster for Somerset the chance of a Lancashire victory had gone with seven runs required from one ball.
The tension was tremendous as Robbins ran in to deliver the final ball of the match. She strayed very slightly towards the leg stump and, swiveling, King pulled the ball high over fine leg for a six that resulted in the match being tied! It was relative joy for Lancashire and utter disappointment for Somerset who must have felt that they had a second win of the season forthcoming. Both sides had their chance of victory but it was not to be for either and the tie certainly gave the spectators plenty of entertainment!
The drama even began in the first over when there was a dropped catch at slip before Bex Odgers struck a six over mid-wicket and was then caught by Darcey Carter off the final ball of the over from Tara Norris.
Somerset advanced the total to 29 then lost four wickets in the space of 15 balls as Mahika Gaur struck three times, dismissing Niamh Holland, eight, Fran Wilson without scoring, and Amanda-Jade Wellington, four to finish her spell with an impressive 3-15. King added the wicket of Ruby Davis for 12 to leave Somerset reeling at 43-5.
In stepped skipper Sophie Luff, by far the most accomplished Somerset batter, and with Alex Griffiths added a useful 56 for the sixth wicket. The partnership ended when Luff, four boundaries in her 36, fell to a diving catch at deep mid-off by Norris off Grace Potts with the total on a more respectable 99. Griffiths finished with 29 not out, including four boundaries, and Chloe Skelton with two as the innings closed at 114-6.
In reply, Lancashire began positively and Eve Jones, 18, and Seren Smale, 25, put on 34 for the first wicket before Tilly Kesteven, 19, and Ailsa Lister, 17, took the total to 78. And despite the loss of Fi Morris first ball, at 78-4 in 12.3 overs Lancashire looked to be heading for victory. But and Wellington completed her excellent spell of 3-24 that slightly somewhat put the brakes on the Lancashire advance. And with Luff inspiring her side with some good fielding the game entered its final over with Thunder at 102-7, requiring 13 for victory. What followed could not have been scripted!
Robbins with her first two overs costing just 11 runs was trusted with that final over and it began in dramatic fashion. The first ball bowled skipper Ellie Threlkeld for 11 and the second had Norris driving into the safe hands of Luff at mid-on. Thirteen runs now required from four balls with the pendulum looking as though it may have swung Somerset’s way. But next ball Robbins disastrously bowled a wide … still 13 runs from four balls!
King had been joined by Carter who drove her first legitimate ball fiercely towards Luff, who had fielded magnificently all afternoon and marshalled her side so well, at mid-on but the Somerset captain was unable to take the catch and the pair ran a single … 11 runs required from three balls.
Robbins’ next ball was also driven at Luff, who once again, despite two attempts dropped the catch again and the resultant fumble allowed a two to be run … nine runs now required from two balls. Somerset almost had the game won.
And when King took two runs from the penultimate ball, barring a disaster for Somerset the chance of a Lancashire victory had gone with seven runs required from one ball.
The tension was tremendous as Robbins ran in to deliver the final ball of the match. She strayed very slightly towards the leg stump and, swiveling, King pulled the ball high over fine leg for a six that resulted in the match being tied! It was relative joy for Lancashire and utter disappointment for Somerset who must have felt that they had a second win of the season forthcoming. Both sides had their chance of victory but it was not to be for either and the tie certainly gave the spectators plenty of entertainment!
July 17, 2025
Women's Vitality Blast
Somerset Women at Stanley Park
The final round of the league stage of the Women’s Vitality Blast comes to Stanley Park tomorrow, Friday 18 July with a 2.30pm start. And it features two teams with contrasting fortunes as Lancashire entertain Somerset.
While Lancashire have everything to play for with a victory ensuring a place in Finals Day on 27 July, Somerset will be playing for pride in trying to obtain their second win of a disappointing campaign. Both sides have played 13 games, Lancashire having won seven and lost six while Somerset have just one victory to their name with 10 defeats and two games with no result.
Lancashire began with a defeat to The Blaze despite a fine 59 by Katie Mack but they bounced back in game two by defeating Durham Women by 18 runs with captain Ellie Threlkeld, 48, playing the significant innings of the match. Two defeats and two victories followed in the next four games before another two further defeats set Lancashire back somewhat. But three successive victories restored their hopes. And after an unexpected defeat by Durham Women at old Trafford, despite a fine 74 by Emma Lamb and Alana King’s 3-24, Mahika Gaur’s three wickets in eight balls at Chelmsford at the start of the Essex innings paved the way for a four-wicket victory with Eve Jones top scoring with 59. And so we come to the Somerset game in fourth place, four points ahead of Durham and with a better net run rate.
Meanwhile Somerset were going through a terrible patch with an abandoned fourth game leaving them with three defeats. And those losses continued with five in succession before a little relief came with a home four-wicket victory over Essex Women to which Fran Wilson contributed 41. But two further losses followed and with their final game being abandoned they have just the solitary victory to offset their 10 defeats.
For Lancashire Emma Lamb has the most runs, 336 in her eight games at the exceptional average of 133.33 with four half-centuries while Ailsa Lister has 264 runs, again at a most impressive average of 154.38. with Eve Jones, 203 also passing the 200-mark; in addition four others have more than 100 runs to their names, Ellie Threlkeld, 150, Seren Smale, 140, Tilly Kesterven, 126, and Fi Morris, 122.
In the bowling, Alana King and Tara Norris both have 15 wickets with Kate Cross and Sophie Morris have nine each. To show the strength and variety of the attack, seven other bowlers have also taken wickets.
Somerset’s batting has been led by Amanda Jane Wellington, 250 runs, Fran Wilson, 234 runs, and Bex Odgers, 218 runs, but to demonstrate the paucity of runs, only two other players have passed a total of 100. As for the bowling, Mollie Robbins leads the way with 13 wickets while all-rounder Wellington has 10. Off-spinner Charlie Dean’s 4-9 was their most impressive return of the season.
So, do come along to Stanley Park to see this final game of the league stage to see whether Lancashire will seal their place in final’s day, or Somerset will end their season on a high. It will undoubtedly be an interesting and entertaining day!
The final round of the league stage of the Women’s Vitality Blast comes to Stanley Park tomorrow, Friday 18 July with a 2.30pm start. And it features two teams with contrasting fortunes as Lancashire entertain Somerset.
While Lancashire have everything to play for with a victory ensuring a place in Finals Day on 27 July, Somerset will be playing for pride in trying to obtain their second win of a disappointing campaign. Both sides have played 13 games, Lancashire having won seven and lost six while Somerset have just one victory to their name with 10 defeats and two games with no result.
Lancashire began with a defeat to The Blaze despite a fine 59 by Katie Mack but they bounced back in game two by defeating Durham Women by 18 runs with captain Ellie Threlkeld, 48, playing the significant innings of the match. Two defeats and two victories followed in the next four games before another two further defeats set Lancashire back somewhat. But three successive victories restored their hopes. And after an unexpected defeat by Durham Women at old Trafford, despite a fine 74 by Emma Lamb and Alana King’s 3-24, Mahika Gaur’s three wickets in eight balls at Chelmsford at the start of the Essex innings paved the way for a four-wicket victory with Eve Jones top scoring with 59. And so we come to the Somerset game in fourth place, four points ahead of Durham and with a better net run rate.
Meanwhile Somerset were going through a terrible patch with an abandoned fourth game leaving them with three defeats. And those losses continued with five in succession before a little relief came with a home four-wicket victory over Essex Women to which Fran Wilson contributed 41. But two further losses followed and with their final game being abandoned they have just the solitary victory to offset their 10 defeats.
For Lancashire Emma Lamb has the most runs, 336 in her eight games at the exceptional average of 133.33 with four half-centuries while Ailsa Lister has 264 runs, again at a most impressive average of 154.38. with Eve Jones, 203 also passing the 200-mark; in addition four others have more than 100 runs to their names, Ellie Threlkeld, 150, Seren Smale, 140, Tilly Kesterven, 126, and Fi Morris, 122.
In the bowling, Alana King and Tara Norris both have 15 wickets with Kate Cross and Sophie Morris have nine each. To show the strength and variety of the attack, seven other bowlers have also taken wickets.
Somerset’s batting has been led by Amanda Jane Wellington, 250 runs, Fran Wilson, 234 runs, and Bex Odgers, 218 runs, but to demonstrate the paucity of runs, only two other players have passed a total of 100. As for the bowling, Mollie Robbins leads the way with 13 wickets while all-rounder Wellington has 10. Off-spinner Charlie Dean’s 4-9 was their most impressive return of the season.
So, do come along to Stanley Park to see this final game of the league stage to see whether Lancashire will seal their place in final’s day, or Somerset will end their season on a high. It will undoubtedly be an interesting and entertaining day!
June 17, 2025
County Championship Cricket
Kent’s fifth Championship visit to Stanley Park
Next Sunday, 22 June, Kent visit Stanley Park to play Lancashire in a Rothesay County Championship Division 2 clash that sees both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table. Kent are bottom with two wins and 65 points from their seven matches while winless Lancashire have 66 points gathered from their two defeats and five drawn matches. It is, therefore, an important game for both counties who are desperate to get away from the wrong end of the table.
Kent opening batsman Ben Compton is their leading scorer having hit three centuries in his 688 runs, average 52.92, while Tawanda Muyeye has a creditable 437 with one century and three half-centuries averages 33.61. Australian Grant Stewart, also with one century and two half-centuries, has 439 runs at an average of 43.90 while captain Daniel Bell-Drummond has a double century to his name in his 392 runs.
Zimbabwean Nathan Gilchrist leads the bowling with 23 wickets at 26.34 runs apiece with a best of 7-100 while Stewart has 15 wickets at 26.93, Kashif Ali 11 at 50.72 and Joey Evison is the only other bowler with double figures, 10 at 29.00.
Australian Marcus Harris with 825 runs at an average of 63.46 with three centuries and three half centuries puts him over 300 runs ahead of his nearest challengers, Keaton Jennings, 513 runs at an average of 36.64 with one century and two half-centuries and Luke Wells, 504 at 38.76. Only Josh Bohannon, 391 runs at 30.07, of the other batsmen has a century to his name.
Of the bowlers, George Balderstone, 19 wickets at 32.97, leads the way while the two Toms, Bailey, 15 at 40.20, and Hartley, 14 at 41.28, are close behind.
The history of the Blackpool games against Kent began in 1961 when a rain-interrupted match was drawn. Batting first Lancashire opened with a 77-run partnership between Bob Barber, 24 and Geoff Pullar, 57, but then wickets fell regularly until they reached 202-9. There followed a 52-run partnership for the last wicket between Ken Higgs, 27, and Colin Hilton, 22 not out, his career-best score to that time. Their final total of 254, in which Kent’s Yorkshire-born leg spinner David Baker took 5-87, was still 122 too many for Kent who, after an opening partnership of 54 to which Peter Richardson contributed the innings’ top score of 34, were dismissed for 132. Roy Collins took his 50th wicket of the season and finished with 5-39 while Brian Statham took his 1500th first-class wicket and Hilton reached 150 wickets for his career.
Rain interfered with the remainder of the match so Lancashire declared on 199-3, Brian Booth, 88 not out, and Ken Grieves, 57, putting on 119 for the third wicket. There was insufficient time left for a result so Kent batted out time at 167-3 with Lancashire using seven bowlers. Bob Wilson, 46, top scored for Kent while 37-year-old Arthur Phebey, played the last of his 320 games for the county.
Three years later Kent were at Stanley Park once more in August 1964 and once again the match was drawn. There was a crowd of 3,000 on the opening day when Kent won the toss and put Lancashire in to bat on a pitch about which the Liverpool Daily Post reported, ‘There was an air of uncertainty about the green pitch’.
And so it proved as Duncan Worsley took 65 minutes over his 10 runs and only Bob Entwistle, 25, and Peter Marner, a top score of 37, provided some bright moments with a fourth-wicket stand of 50 made in 25 minutes. Geoff Clayton was his usual sheet-anchor self, taking two hours and 10 minutes over his 36 and along the way ‘aroused some critical comment from the crowd’! And with Alan Dixon taking 5-63 and young reserve wicketkeeper, 17-year-old Alan Knott playing only his fourth Championship game, taking five catches, Lancashire were dismissed for a painful 169 made in four hours and five minutes. Kent made inroads into the Lancashire total in the final 95 minutes, and with opener Mike Denness making 53 they closed on 115-3.
Day two saw the all (subsequently) international Lancashire attack of Statham, 4-75, Ken Higgs, 3-67 Ken Shuttleworth, 1-45, and Sonny Ramadhin, 1-24, bowl Kent out for 212, a lead of 43 runs. David Nicholls top scored with 81 but Kent’s last five wickets fell for 41 runs.
Lancashire’s second innings owed a lot to Worsley who batted over four hours and made his maiden first-class century for Lancashire, 104, with his only serious support coming from Grieves who made 72. Otherwise, Kent whittled their way through the Lancashire batting order to dismiss them for 285, leaving Kent to score 243 for victory.
Time was against them but, after losing Brian Luckhurst early again, they made every effort early in their innings. But with Higgs bowling an unbroken and economic 90-minute spell and Ramadhin’s 20 overs costing just 39 runs, with three wickets, Kent had to settle for the draw at 193-6 with Wilson holding the innings together with 75 not out.
Two years later when a 65-over restriction in the first innings of games was introduced in an attempt to make the matches more dynamic and appealing to spectators, Kent returned to Stanley Park. And even with a moderate total of 251-8 in the statuary 65-overs Kent won the game by an innings and 30 runs! And a legendary England bowler finished with 6-9 in the first innings!
Lancashire batted first and made a paltry 62 all out in 40.1 overs with four players making double figures but none of them reaching 20! Worsley made 14, Harry Pilling and Keith Goodwin (career average 5.78) both made 13, and Shuttleworth made 11. Derek Underwood was the destructive bowler with figures of 10.1-7-9-6!
Kent had a lead of 22 when they lost their first wicket and with their first four making a combined 188, Luckhurst 40, Denness 45, Wilson 47 and Colin Cowdrey 56, they continued to reach their 251-8, a lead of 189. Jimmy Cumbes was the most successful bowler taking a then career-best 4-42.
Following on, Barry Wood in only his seventh game for Lancashire made 31 and was only outscored by Worsley with 76 not out. Notwithstanding, a total of 159 spelt an innings defeat with Underwood taking 4-59 to give him match figures of 10-68 to become the first visiting player to return a 10-wicket haul in 47 Championship games at the ground. His record stood for 31 years, overtaken by Graeme Welsh of Warwickshire’s 11-140 in 1997.
And Kent’s last visit to Blackpool was 22 years ago in 2003 when a game of 1211 runs ended in a draw with Lancashire just behind in the scoring, albeit in two innings to Kent’s one, 602 to 609!
In the first three days of the match only 13 wickets fell in 267 overs for 949 runs and Kent with a ground record 602-6 declared had the better of that equation. Ed Smith, 203, just failed by two runs to break the visitors’ record individual score on the ground (Peter Kirsten 204 not out for Derbyshire in 1981), Matt Walker made 150, Mark Ealham 95 and Geraint Jones 66 not out.
On the final day Lancashire were bowled out in their first innings for 365 with the last five wickets going down for 35 runs, quite contrary to what had preceded it! With the best part of a day remaining Kent hopes were high and when three wickets were down for 12 runs, prospects for their victory were high. However, it was not to be as Carl Hooper held the innings together with a 290-minute 128 not out, helped by 40 from Chris Schofield’s 85-minute 40 and rearguard action by Glenn Chapple and Warren Hegg who held out for 47 and 88 minutes respectively for nine and 16 not out. So with Lancashire 244-6 from 84 overs the game was drawn. And Hooper became the third player in the history of the game to score a century against all 18 counties.
But for the moment the focus is most definitely on the fight to get away from the foot of the Division 2 table and perhaps from then on, to fight for a promotion place! Well we can hope, can’t we? Don’t miss it, 22 to 25 June at Stanley Park.
Next Sunday, 22 June, Kent visit Stanley Park to play Lancashire in a Rothesay County Championship Division 2 clash that sees both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table. Kent are bottom with two wins and 65 points from their seven matches while winless Lancashire have 66 points gathered from their two defeats and five drawn matches. It is, therefore, an important game for both counties who are desperate to get away from the wrong end of the table.
Kent opening batsman Ben Compton is their leading scorer having hit three centuries in his 688 runs, average 52.92, while Tawanda Muyeye has a creditable 437 with one century and three half-centuries averages 33.61. Australian Grant Stewart, also with one century and two half-centuries, has 439 runs at an average of 43.90 while captain Daniel Bell-Drummond has a double century to his name in his 392 runs.
Zimbabwean Nathan Gilchrist leads the bowling with 23 wickets at 26.34 runs apiece with a best of 7-100 while Stewart has 15 wickets at 26.93, Kashif Ali 11 at 50.72 and Joey Evison is the only other bowler with double figures, 10 at 29.00.
Australian Marcus Harris with 825 runs at an average of 63.46 with three centuries and three half centuries puts him over 300 runs ahead of his nearest challengers, Keaton Jennings, 513 runs at an average of 36.64 with one century and two half-centuries and Luke Wells, 504 at 38.76. Only Josh Bohannon, 391 runs at 30.07, of the other batsmen has a century to his name.
Of the bowlers, George Balderstone, 19 wickets at 32.97, leads the way while the two Toms, Bailey, 15 at 40.20, and Hartley, 14 at 41.28, are close behind.
The history of the Blackpool games against Kent began in 1961 when a rain-interrupted match was drawn. Batting first Lancashire opened with a 77-run partnership between Bob Barber, 24 and Geoff Pullar, 57, but then wickets fell regularly until they reached 202-9. There followed a 52-run partnership for the last wicket between Ken Higgs, 27, and Colin Hilton, 22 not out, his career-best score to that time. Their final total of 254, in which Kent’s Yorkshire-born leg spinner David Baker took 5-87, was still 122 too many for Kent who, after an opening partnership of 54 to which Peter Richardson contributed the innings’ top score of 34, were dismissed for 132. Roy Collins took his 50th wicket of the season and finished with 5-39 while Brian Statham took his 1500th first-class wicket and Hilton reached 150 wickets for his career.
Rain interfered with the remainder of the match so Lancashire declared on 199-3, Brian Booth, 88 not out, and Ken Grieves, 57, putting on 119 for the third wicket. There was insufficient time left for a result so Kent batted out time at 167-3 with Lancashire using seven bowlers. Bob Wilson, 46, top scored for Kent while 37-year-old Arthur Phebey, played the last of his 320 games for the county.
Three years later Kent were at Stanley Park once more in August 1964 and once again the match was drawn. There was a crowd of 3,000 on the opening day when Kent won the toss and put Lancashire in to bat on a pitch about which the Liverpool Daily Post reported, ‘There was an air of uncertainty about the green pitch’.
And so it proved as Duncan Worsley took 65 minutes over his 10 runs and only Bob Entwistle, 25, and Peter Marner, a top score of 37, provided some bright moments with a fourth-wicket stand of 50 made in 25 minutes. Geoff Clayton was his usual sheet-anchor self, taking two hours and 10 minutes over his 36 and along the way ‘aroused some critical comment from the crowd’! And with Alan Dixon taking 5-63 and young reserve wicketkeeper, 17-year-old Alan Knott playing only his fourth Championship game, taking five catches, Lancashire were dismissed for a painful 169 made in four hours and five minutes. Kent made inroads into the Lancashire total in the final 95 minutes, and with opener Mike Denness making 53 they closed on 115-3.
Day two saw the all (subsequently) international Lancashire attack of Statham, 4-75, Ken Higgs, 3-67 Ken Shuttleworth, 1-45, and Sonny Ramadhin, 1-24, bowl Kent out for 212, a lead of 43 runs. David Nicholls top scored with 81 but Kent’s last five wickets fell for 41 runs.
Lancashire’s second innings owed a lot to Worsley who batted over four hours and made his maiden first-class century for Lancashire, 104, with his only serious support coming from Grieves who made 72. Otherwise, Kent whittled their way through the Lancashire batting order to dismiss them for 285, leaving Kent to score 243 for victory.
Time was against them but, after losing Brian Luckhurst early again, they made every effort early in their innings. But with Higgs bowling an unbroken and economic 90-minute spell and Ramadhin’s 20 overs costing just 39 runs, with three wickets, Kent had to settle for the draw at 193-6 with Wilson holding the innings together with 75 not out.
Two years later when a 65-over restriction in the first innings of games was introduced in an attempt to make the matches more dynamic and appealing to spectators, Kent returned to Stanley Park. And even with a moderate total of 251-8 in the statuary 65-overs Kent won the game by an innings and 30 runs! And a legendary England bowler finished with 6-9 in the first innings!
Lancashire batted first and made a paltry 62 all out in 40.1 overs with four players making double figures but none of them reaching 20! Worsley made 14, Harry Pilling and Keith Goodwin (career average 5.78) both made 13, and Shuttleworth made 11. Derek Underwood was the destructive bowler with figures of 10.1-7-9-6!
Kent had a lead of 22 when they lost their first wicket and with their first four making a combined 188, Luckhurst 40, Denness 45, Wilson 47 and Colin Cowdrey 56, they continued to reach their 251-8, a lead of 189. Jimmy Cumbes was the most successful bowler taking a then career-best 4-42.
Following on, Barry Wood in only his seventh game for Lancashire made 31 and was only outscored by Worsley with 76 not out. Notwithstanding, a total of 159 spelt an innings defeat with Underwood taking 4-59 to give him match figures of 10-68 to become the first visiting player to return a 10-wicket haul in 47 Championship games at the ground. His record stood for 31 years, overtaken by Graeme Welsh of Warwickshire’s 11-140 in 1997.
And Kent’s last visit to Blackpool was 22 years ago in 2003 when a game of 1211 runs ended in a draw with Lancashire just behind in the scoring, albeit in two innings to Kent’s one, 602 to 609!
In the first three days of the match only 13 wickets fell in 267 overs for 949 runs and Kent with a ground record 602-6 declared had the better of that equation. Ed Smith, 203, just failed by two runs to break the visitors’ record individual score on the ground (Peter Kirsten 204 not out for Derbyshire in 1981), Matt Walker made 150, Mark Ealham 95 and Geraint Jones 66 not out.
On the final day Lancashire were bowled out in their first innings for 365 with the last five wickets going down for 35 runs, quite contrary to what had preceded it! With the best part of a day remaining Kent hopes were high and when three wickets were down for 12 runs, prospects for their victory were high. However, it was not to be as Carl Hooper held the innings together with a 290-minute 128 not out, helped by 40 from Chris Schofield’s 85-minute 40 and rearguard action by Glenn Chapple and Warren Hegg who held out for 47 and 88 minutes respectively for nine and 16 not out. So with Lancashire 244-6 from 84 overs the game was drawn. And Hooper became the third player in the history of the game to score a century against all 18 counties.
But for the moment the focus is most definitely on the fight to get away from the foot of the Division 2 table and perhaps from then on, to fight for a promotion place! Well we can hope, can’t we? Don’t miss it, 22 to 25 June at Stanley Park.
May 29, 2025
Wolves’ League Cup winner has one season at Blackpool
Gary Pierce 1951 - 2025
Gary Pierce was born in Bury on 2 March 1951 and as a goalkeeper began his senior football career with non-league Mossley before signing for Huddersfield Town in February 1971. He had played 23 League games for Huddersfield before he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of £40,000 in August 1973. He went on to play 98 League games, and 111 games in all, for Wolves and was a League Cup winner with the club in 1974 when Manchester City were beaten 2-1. In that game, only his 14th for the club, he was a late replacement for the injured Phil Parkes and played a significant part in the Wolves’ victory. Pierce commented in a post-match interview, ‘I shall remember this day for as long as I live. I doubt whether I shall experience anything quite like it ever again.’
Wolves transferred him to Barnsley, again for a fee of £40,000, in July 1979. He went on to play 81 League games for Barnsley, a club he helped to promotion to Division 2 in the 1980/81 season.
Blackpool signed him from Barnsley in August 1983. And he made his first appearance for the Seasiders in a pre-season friendly game against Morecambe on 3 August 1983 when he had little to do as Blackpool won 5-0. Unfortunately he suffered an injury in the second pre-season friendly game against Wren Rovers on 4 August 1983 and Shaun Steele took over in goal as Blackpool won 2-1.
He recovered quickly and was fit for the third friendly game of the season when Blackpool lost 1-0 to Northwich Victoria on 6 August 1983 and he also played in the pre-season friendly against Horwich RMI on 9 August 1983 when Blackpool won 2-0.
He made his competitive debut for Blackpool in the Lancashire Manx Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on 13 August 1983 when Blackpool lost 4-2. He was, however, suffering from a thumb injury sustained in training when he had stopped a Keith Mercer thunderbolt and the injury ‘hampered his efforts to cut out a cross and Chris Thompson headed home.’ However, he remained in the side for the following Lancashire Manx Cup ties a 3-2 defeat by Preston North End on 16 August 1983.
After he played in another pre-season friendly game, a 3-1 victory over Manchester City on 18 August 1983, he was in the side for the final Lancashire Manx Cup tie, a 0-0 draw with Burnley on 20 August 1983.
However his thumb had not completely healed and by 23 August 1983 he had it in plaster, as it turned out to have been broken. He said, ‘I wanted to carry on but it was the thought of what might happen in the future that made me see sense. The hand has to be put in plaster within six weeks of this injury being diagnosed to avoid disability in later life. We are being optimistic with the three weeks’ deadline, but I don’t think I could face any longer out of action.’ Blackpool physiotherapist Billy Haydock commented, ‘Goalkeepers are a daft and a brave breed. But if we’d left Gary’s injury by the age of 40 he wouldn’t have been able to lift a pint pot. His hand could have been useless.’
Consequently out of action and with specialists recommending a 10-week rest, Pierce commented, ‘I’m going daft training all week and not being able to play on a Saturday.’ And the thumb injury did cause him to miss the start of the season and plunged Blackpool into a goalkeeping crisis.
The Manchester Evening News reported on 23 August, ‘Worried Blackpool boss Sam Ellis approached John Bond [Burnley manager] today to help solve a goalkeeping emergency at Bloomfield Road. With young Gary Pierce injured Blackpool faced their League kick-off against Reading on Saturday without a goalkeeper and moved in for Burnley reserve Bill O’Rourke. Blackpool wanted him for a month’s loan to cover for Pierce who has a broken bone in his hand.’ In the event O’Rourke was signed until 26 September, 14 days after Pierce was estimated to have the plaster taken off his broken thumb and then begin his ‘fight to get his place back’.
While Pierce was recovering, O’Rourke therefore played the first six games of the League season before returning to Burnley. But there was still a problem for although Pierce had made his comeback appearance for Blackpool in the Central League side on 20 September 1983, when Blackpool suffered a 3-2 defeat by Bradford City, having watched that game, manager Ellis commented, ‘It seems to me that Gary isn’t showing the confidence I would have expected and his reaction indicates he could need a few more reserve games before he gets his full confidence and form back.’
Consequently Ellis was obliged to find another goalkeeper quickly. About the possibility of signing O’Rourke on a permanent basis he commented, ‘If I had cash I wouldn’t spend it on a goalkeeper when I know Gary Pierce will be fighting fit very soon.’ Consequently he signed Simon Steele on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in time for a debut against Mansfield town on 27 September. Meanwhile Pierce continued his rehabilitation and Ellis once again commented, ‘I’m not rushing Pierce back when Billy [O’Rourke] is still here. We are going to need Gary to be peak-fit and available for a busy season.’ However, Ellis stated that Pierce needed ‘to sharpen his match practice still further with an ‘A’ team run on Saturday’. He duly played against Rochdale and came through unscathed.
He went on to play three further games in the Central League side against Coventry City reserves on 25 October, Port Vale reserves on 8 November and against Preston North End reserves on 15 November. Unfortunately all three games were lost 1-2, 1-4 and 0-1 respectively.
By then Steele had returned to Brighton after three games and Barry Siddall had been brought in on loan from Port Vale and he played seven games by which time Pierce’s injury had completely healed and Ellis decided that he was ready for his senior return.
Pierce, therefore, made his long-awaited first team comeback in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983. He came through safely and played a sterling game and when Gainsborough were threatening to score a quick equaliser, ‘Jimmy Snee raced down the right flank and crossed at the by-line but goalkeeper Gary Pierce was quick to cut it out.’ Blackpool scored again and eventually won 2-0.
His League debut for Blackpool followed against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when he ‘showed outstanding form’ as Blackpool won 2-1 and thus scotched suggestions that manager Ellis should sign another goalkeeper as Pierce had missed the first 16 League games of the season. However, Ellis stated that he was happy to have kept faith with Pierce, who from then was an automatic choice until very late in the season.
Pierce shone against Aldershot who began with great confidence in their game at Bloomfield Road on 2 January 1984 but Pierce continually ‘saved with equal confidence’ as he inspired Blackpool to a 5-0 win, their biggest victory of the season.
And Ellis‘ faith was further justified when, at Reading on 14 January 1984, Pierce made a series of brilliant saves, including keeping out a penalty by Stuart Beavon but ultimately he could not prevent Blackpool losing 2-0.
When Blackpool defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 1984, Pierce ‘was not troubled by a single shot in the first 30 minutes’ and subsequently restricted City to just the one goal. However exit from the FA Cup quickly followed. Despite playing an excellent game in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Oxford United on 28 January 1984, he had no chance when Oxford were awarded two penalties both of which they scored to give their side a 2-1 victory.
At Crewe on 11 February 1984 Crewe pressed for a winner but ‘Superb saves by Gary Pierce from Walter and Dave Pullar only delayed the Alex victory’. But, despite his best efforts and in front of a crowd of 4942, the best of the season at Gresty Road, he could not prevent a Crewe’ winner with two minutes remaining.
With Blackpool riding high in the table, they had a hard-fought game against Mansfield Town on 31 March 1984, the Mansfield and Sutton Recorder reported that it was ‘Stags’ Dave Caldwell versus Blackpool ‘keeper Gary Pierce – with the ex-Wolves man coming out tops with some good saves’ as the game was drawn 1-1.
And Hereford, on a 16-match unbeaten run, were thwarted by Pierce on 28 April when poor finishing and ‘a good display by home goalkeeper Gary Pierce combined to deny them’ as Blackpool won 3-1.
H played what turned out to be his final League game for Blackpool in 3-2 defeat by Aldershot on 5 May 1984 and unfortunately one press report read, ‘Pierce reacted like a novice to give Lawrence the winner.’ Thus, after a run of 32 consecutive League and Cup games, he was rather surprisingly left out for the final three League games of the season and, equally surprisingly, he was replaced by Scotsman Drew Brand who Blackpool had signed as a non-contract player just six weeks earlier.
Equally surprisingly, his proposed new one-year contract was cancelled and Blackpool released him shortly after the Aldershot game. He had played 27 League games, five FA Cup ties, three Lancashire Manx Cup ties, one Associate Members Cup tie, five Central League games and five pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1983/84 season. And he rightly takes his place in the long history of Blackpool Football Club.
After a career in which he played 229 League games for his various clubs, he joined non-league Chorley in July 1984 and later managed Accrington Stanley, Netherfield and Radcliffe.
He passed away after a short illness in Bury Hospice on 24 May 2025.
Gary Pierce was born in Bury on 2 March 1951 and as a goalkeeper began his senior football career with non-league Mossley before signing for Huddersfield Town in February 1971. He had played 23 League games for Huddersfield before he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of £40,000 in August 1973. He went on to play 98 League games, and 111 games in all, for Wolves and was a League Cup winner with the club in 1974 when Manchester City were beaten 2-1. In that game, only his 14th for the club, he was a late replacement for the injured Phil Parkes and played a significant part in the Wolves’ victory. Pierce commented in a post-match interview, ‘I shall remember this day for as long as I live. I doubt whether I shall experience anything quite like it ever again.’
Wolves transferred him to Barnsley, again for a fee of £40,000, in July 1979. He went on to play 81 League games for Barnsley, a club he helped to promotion to Division 2 in the 1980/81 season.
Blackpool signed him from Barnsley in August 1983. And he made his first appearance for the Seasiders in a pre-season friendly game against Morecambe on 3 August 1983 when he had little to do as Blackpool won 5-0. Unfortunately he suffered an injury in the second pre-season friendly game against Wren Rovers on 4 August 1983 and Shaun Steele took over in goal as Blackpool won 2-1.
He recovered quickly and was fit for the third friendly game of the season when Blackpool lost 1-0 to Northwich Victoria on 6 August 1983 and he also played in the pre-season friendly against Horwich RMI on 9 August 1983 when Blackpool won 2-0.
He made his competitive debut for Blackpool in the Lancashire Manx Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on 13 August 1983 when Blackpool lost 4-2. He was, however, suffering from a thumb injury sustained in training when he had stopped a Keith Mercer thunderbolt and the injury ‘hampered his efforts to cut out a cross and Chris Thompson headed home.’ However, he remained in the side for the following Lancashire Manx Cup ties a 3-2 defeat by Preston North End on 16 August 1983.
After he played in another pre-season friendly game, a 3-1 victory over Manchester City on 18 August 1983, he was in the side for the final Lancashire Manx Cup tie, a 0-0 draw with Burnley on 20 August 1983.
However his thumb had not completely healed and by 23 August 1983 he had it in plaster, as it turned out to have been broken. He said, ‘I wanted to carry on but it was the thought of what might happen in the future that made me see sense. The hand has to be put in plaster within six weeks of this injury being diagnosed to avoid disability in later life. We are being optimistic with the three weeks’ deadline, but I don’t think I could face any longer out of action.’ Blackpool physiotherapist Billy Haydock commented, ‘Goalkeepers are a daft and a brave breed. But if we’d left Gary’s injury by the age of 40 he wouldn’t have been able to lift a pint pot. His hand could have been useless.’
Consequently out of action and with specialists recommending a 10-week rest, Pierce commented, ‘I’m going daft training all week and not being able to play on a Saturday.’ And the thumb injury did cause him to miss the start of the season and plunged Blackpool into a goalkeeping crisis.
The Manchester Evening News reported on 23 August, ‘Worried Blackpool boss Sam Ellis approached John Bond [Burnley manager] today to help solve a goalkeeping emergency at Bloomfield Road. With young Gary Pierce injured Blackpool faced their League kick-off against Reading on Saturday without a goalkeeper and moved in for Burnley reserve Bill O’Rourke. Blackpool wanted him for a month’s loan to cover for Pierce who has a broken bone in his hand.’ In the event O’Rourke was signed until 26 September, 14 days after Pierce was estimated to have the plaster taken off his broken thumb and then begin his ‘fight to get his place back’.
While Pierce was recovering, O’Rourke therefore played the first six games of the League season before returning to Burnley. But there was still a problem for although Pierce had made his comeback appearance for Blackpool in the Central League side on 20 September 1983, when Blackpool suffered a 3-2 defeat by Bradford City, having watched that game, manager Ellis commented, ‘It seems to me that Gary isn’t showing the confidence I would have expected and his reaction indicates he could need a few more reserve games before he gets his full confidence and form back.’
Consequently Ellis was obliged to find another goalkeeper quickly. About the possibility of signing O’Rourke on a permanent basis he commented, ‘If I had cash I wouldn’t spend it on a goalkeeper when I know Gary Pierce will be fighting fit very soon.’ Consequently he signed Simon Steele on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in time for a debut against Mansfield town on 27 September. Meanwhile Pierce continued his rehabilitation and Ellis once again commented, ‘I’m not rushing Pierce back when Billy [O’Rourke] is still here. We are going to need Gary to be peak-fit and available for a busy season.’ However, Ellis stated that Pierce needed ‘to sharpen his match practice still further with an ‘A’ team run on Saturday’. He duly played against Rochdale and came through unscathed.
He went on to play three further games in the Central League side against Coventry City reserves on 25 October, Port Vale reserves on 8 November and against Preston North End reserves on 15 November. Unfortunately all three games were lost 1-2, 1-4 and 0-1 respectively.
By then Steele had returned to Brighton after three games and Barry Siddall had been brought in on loan from Port Vale and he played seven games by which time Pierce’s injury had completely healed and Ellis decided that he was ready for his senior return.
Pierce, therefore, made his long-awaited first team comeback in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983. He came through safely and played a sterling game and when Gainsborough were threatening to score a quick equaliser, ‘Jimmy Snee raced down the right flank and crossed at the by-line but goalkeeper Gary Pierce was quick to cut it out.’ Blackpool scored again and eventually won 2-0.
His League debut for Blackpool followed against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when he ‘showed outstanding form’ as Blackpool won 2-1 and thus scotched suggestions that manager Ellis should sign another goalkeeper as Pierce had missed the first 16 League games of the season. However, Ellis stated that he was happy to have kept faith with Pierce, who from then was an automatic choice until very late in the season.
Pierce shone against Aldershot who began with great confidence in their game at Bloomfield Road on 2 January 1984 but Pierce continually ‘saved with equal confidence’ as he inspired Blackpool to a 5-0 win, their biggest victory of the season.
And Ellis‘ faith was further justified when, at Reading on 14 January 1984, Pierce made a series of brilliant saves, including keeping out a penalty by Stuart Beavon but ultimately he could not prevent Blackpool losing 2-0.
When Blackpool defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 1984, Pierce ‘was not troubled by a single shot in the first 30 minutes’ and subsequently restricted City to just the one goal. However exit from the FA Cup quickly followed. Despite playing an excellent game in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Oxford United on 28 January 1984, he had no chance when Oxford were awarded two penalties both of which they scored to give their side a 2-1 victory.
At Crewe on 11 February 1984 Crewe pressed for a winner but ‘Superb saves by Gary Pierce from Walter and Dave Pullar only delayed the Alex victory’. But, despite his best efforts and in front of a crowd of 4942, the best of the season at Gresty Road, he could not prevent a Crewe’ winner with two minutes remaining.
With Blackpool riding high in the table, they had a hard-fought game against Mansfield Town on 31 March 1984, the Mansfield and Sutton Recorder reported that it was ‘Stags’ Dave Caldwell versus Blackpool ‘keeper Gary Pierce – with the ex-Wolves man coming out tops with some good saves’ as the game was drawn 1-1.
And Hereford, on a 16-match unbeaten run, were thwarted by Pierce on 28 April when poor finishing and ‘a good display by home goalkeeper Gary Pierce combined to deny them’ as Blackpool won 3-1.
H played what turned out to be his final League game for Blackpool in 3-2 defeat by Aldershot on 5 May 1984 and unfortunately one press report read, ‘Pierce reacted like a novice to give Lawrence the winner.’ Thus, after a run of 32 consecutive League and Cup games, he was rather surprisingly left out for the final three League games of the season and, equally surprisingly, he was replaced by Scotsman Drew Brand who Blackpool had signed as a non-contract player just six weeks earlier.
Equally surprisingly, his proposed new one-year contract was cancelled and Blackpool released him shortly after the Aldershot game. He had played 27 League games, five FA Cup ties, three Lancashire Manx Cup ties, one Associate Members Cup tie, five Central League games and five pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1983/84 season. And he rightly takes his place in the long history of Blackpool Football Club.
After a career in which he played 229 League games for his various clubs, he joined non-league Chorley in July 1984 and later managed Accrington Stanley, Netherfield and Radcliffe.
He passed away after a short illness in Bury Hospice on 24 May 2025.
October 2, 2024
A European Cup winner on loan
Gary Shaw 1961 - 2024
Gary Shaw was born in Kingshurst, West Midlands on 21 January 1961and in February 1988, towards the end of a stellar career with Aston Villa in which his 213 appearances saw him score 79 goals, he came on a month’s loan to Blackpool, who were hoping to revive their sagging promotion hopes in what was then Division Three.
He said of his move to Blackpool, ‘I have not had opportunities at Villa because Graham Taylor hasn’t been able to find place for me. That is something I have to accept but my priority over the next month is to do well and get my career moving again. I don't know what will happen after that. With the size of Villa’s squad it certainly won’t be easy to get back in the team. For the moment I'm glad someone has come along and dragged me off reserve team football. All I am concerned about is doing well over the next month because whatever you do at reserve level it isn’t really enough.’
He had expressed interest in going out on loan before Christmas but at that time Villa needed cover for their regular strikers and he signed new players so that he then had healthy competition for the striking roles. Villa manager Graham Taylor thought it was a good move for Shaw but he stressed that nothing permanent had been discussed with Blackpool, adding, ‘It is the right decision for Gary. I haven’t been able to give him first-team football and 1 know he must have that. He needs to show he has completely recovered from his injuries, even if it is only in the Third Division. This month could do a lot for him. He has scored some goals in the Central League but for a player of his calibre that doesn't mean a lot.’
Meanwhile Blackpool manager Sam Ellis believed ‘Shaw can help Blackpool push for a promotion spot.’ And he added, ’There are no doubts Gary is fit enough and certainly no question that he is good enough to add genuine quality to our first team squad.’
He made his debut for the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road against Brighton on 6 February when the disgruntled Ellis stated ‘The twin arrival of striker Gary Shaw and goalkeeper Carl Muggleton on loan inside the last seven days is the signal for the axe to swing. I don’t believe the season is dead and I am anxious to woo back the crowds with a bright and breezy revival. Shaw’s presence has put one or two of the strikers under pressure and the advent of Muggleton — one of the best young goalkeepers in Britain — has certainly put question marks over Barry Siddall's hold on the number one slot. And emphasising his earlier points he repeated, ‘The arrival of Shaw and Muggleton underlines my belief that the squad needs a shake-up. I am disappointed we are not in a better position in the league. I thought the players were good enough to be much higher. I said there would be a shake-up along the way and there will be.’
However, Shaw was the only one of the pair to make his Blackpool debut [incidentally Muggleton was to make only two appearances overall for the club] but the visitors went away with a 3-1 victory.
Shaw’s second game The Seasiders did win 3-2 away at Notts County when, although Shaw did not score he gained praise when one report stated, ‘the way Gary Shaw got stuck in suggested he is prepared to fight for a new contract all the way’. This success was followed by an encouraging 3-3 draw at home against Gillingham when Blackpool were down to 10-men due to Tony Cunningham’s sending off.
He returned to the Midlands for the game against Walsall and as the former golden boy of nearby Aston Villa was making his fourth appearance for Blackpool he was asked for a comment and he realized the importance of the game and replied, ‘This is the most important month of my career.’ But, despite Cunningham’s bustling replacement Keith Walwyn’s aggression being expected to ‘help new boy Gary Shaw get among the goals’ the move failed as Blackpool suffered a 3-2 defeat and Shaw was substituted and was left out for the following game.
However after the side had lost 3-2 to Fulham, he was back as a substitute for what turned out to be his two final games for the club, against York City and Sunderland on the first and fifth of March respectively. The former were defeated 2-1 and a draw, 2-2, was secured against the subsequent League champions Sunderland at Roker Park. In both games he replaced Brian Butler; in the latter, preferred to 14-goal Craig Madden in the substitute’s role, he was introduced ‘in an attempt to step up a search for the equaliser’.
That terminated his loan spell after he had made six appearances for Blackpool and although at Villa Park he was known as ‘Shawsy, the blond bombshell striker with the surest of touches in front of goal’, he unfortunately did not add to his tally at Blackpool. Manager Ellis commented as Shaw prepared to return to Aston Villa, ‘There was no benefit in pursuing a move. It was always going to be a month’s loan. No fee was discussed for a permanent move. If Shaw had found just a spark of his old goal flame Blackpool might have ventured a small bid.’
On his return to Villa he commented, ‘1 still believe I can do a jab. My contract at Villa is up at the end of the season. I am determined to fight my way back and will listen to any reasonable offer.’
He had begun his career in junior football with Coleshill Town before his talent as a striker was spotted by Villa who duly had signed him as a youngster in 1977.
While at Villa he had been PFA Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982 and he played a significant part in Villa’s Division One title win in 1980/81. In the League that season, Villa used just 14 players in 42 games, when he and Peter Withe scored a combined 38 goals, Withe 20 and Shaw 18, to earn the club a first league title in 71 years. He was also a European Cup winner with Villa in 1982 and scored one of the goals in Villa’s European Super Cup two-leg victory over Barcelona in 1982/83.
In addition, he played seven games, scoring two goals, for the England Under 21 side in 1981/82. He was also included in the 40-strong preliminary England squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup finals but subsequently he was not picked in the final 22.
An injury in 1983 had somewhat reduced his potency and, reluctantly, Villa released him after the 1987/88 season. Thereafter he had a couple of seasons in Denmark and Austria before returning in 1990 when had short spells with Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town. He then moved to Hong Kong where he was a member of the Ernest Borel squad that did a Cup double in the 1991/92 season.
After retirement from the game he subsequently worked for Villa as a youth team coach and for the Press Association and was latterly a football ambassador at Villa Park, where he was a most popular figure.
Following a fall at home he entered hospital but failed to recover and passed away peacefully on 16 September.
Although he only played those six games for Blackpool he is still an integral part of the history of the club and those who did see him play for the Seasiders were delighted to have had the opportunity to do so.
He will be sadly missed and sincere condolences go to his family and friends; Rest in Peace Gary Shaw.
Gary Shaw was born in Kingshurst, West Midlands on 21 January 1961and in February 1988, towards the end of a stellar career with Aston Villa in which his 213 appearances saw him score 79 goals, he came on a month’s loan to Blackpool, who were hoping to revive their sagging promotion hopes in what was then Division Three.
He said of his move to Blackpool, ‘I have not had opportunities at Villa because Graham Taylor hasn’t been able to find place for me. That is something I have to accept but my priority over the next month is to do well and get my career moving again. I don't know what will happen after that. With the size of Villa’s squad it certainly won’t be easy to get back in the team. For the moment I'm glad someone has come along and dragged me off reserve team football. All I am concerned about is doing well over the next month because whatever you do at reserve level it isn’t really enough.’
He had expressed interest in going out on loan before Christmas but at that time Villa needed cover for their regular strikers and he signed new players so that he then had healthy competition for the striking roles. Villa manager Graham Taylor thought it was a good move for Shaw but he stressed that nothing permanent had been discussed with Blackpool, adding, ‘It is the right decision for Gary. I haven’t been able to give him first-team football and 1 know he must have that. He needs to show he has completely recovered from his injuries, even if it is only in the Third Division. This month could do a lot for him. He has scored some goals in the Central League but for a player of his calibre that doesn't mean a lot.’
Meanwhile Blackpool manager Sam Ellis believed ‘Shaw can help Blackpool push for a promotion spot.’ And he added, ’There are no doubts Gary is fit enough and certainly no question that he is good enough to add genuine quality to our first team squad.’
He made his debut for the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road against Brighton on 6 February when the disgruntled Ellis stated ‘The twin arrival of striker Gary Shaw and goalkeeper Carl Muggleton on loan inside the last seven days is the signal for the axe to swing. I don’t believe the season is dead and I am anxious to woo back the crowds with a bright and breezy revival. Shaw’s presence has put one or two of the strikers under pressure and the advent of Muggleton — one of the best young goalkeepers in Britain — has certainly put question marks over Barry Siddall's hold on the number one slot. And emphasising his earlier points he repeated, ‘The arrival of Shaw and Muggleton underlines my belief that the squad needs a shake-up. I am disappointed we are not in a better position in the league. I thought the players were good enough to be much higher. I said there would be a shake-up along the way and there will be.’
However, Shaw was the only one of the pair to make his Blackpool debut [incidentally Muggleton was to make only two appearances overall for the club] but the visitors went away with a 3-1 victory.
Shaw’s second game The Seasiders did win 3-2 away at Notts County when, although Shaw did not score he gained praise when one report stated, ‘the way Gary Shaw got stuck in suggested he is prepared to fight for a new contract all the way’. This success was followed by an encouraging 3-3 draw at home against Gillingham when Blackpool were down to 10-men due to Tony Cunningham’s sending off.
He returned to the Midlands for the game against Walsall and as the former golden boy of nearby Aston Villa was making his fourth appearance for Blackpool he was asked for a comment and he realized the importance of the game and replied, ‘This is the most important month of my career.’ But, despite Cunningham’s bustling replacement Keith Walwyn’s aggression being expected to ‘help new boy Gary Shaw get among the goals’ the move failed as Blackpool suffered a 3-2 defeat and Shaw was substituted and was left out for the following game.
However after the side had lost 3-2 to Fulham, he was back as a substitute for what turned out to be his two final games for the club, against York City and Sunderland on the first and fifth of March respectively. The former were defeated 2-1 and a draw, 2-2, was secured against the subsequent League champions Sunderland at Roker Park. In both games he replaced Brian Butler; in the latter, preferred to 14-goal Craig Madden in the substitute’s role, he was introduced ‘in an attempt to step up a search for the equaliser’.
That terminated his loan spell after he had made six appearances for Blackpool and although at Villa Park he was known as ‘Shawsy, the blond bombshell striker with the surest of touches in front of goal’, he unfortunately did not add to his tally at Blackpool. Manager Ellis commented as Shaw prepared to return to Aston Villa, ‘There was no benefit in pursuing a move. It was always going to be a month’s loan. No fee was discussed for a permanent move. If Shaw had found just a spark of his old goal flame Blackpool might have ventured a small bid.’
On his return to Villa he commented, ‘1 still believe I can do a jab. My contract at Villa is up at the end of the season. I am determined to fight my way back and will listen to any reasonable offer.’
He had begun his career in junior football with Coleshill Town before his talent as a striker was spotted by Villa who duly had signed him as a youngster in 1977.
While at Villa he had been PFA Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982 and he played a significant part in Villa’s Division One title win in 1980/81. In the League that season, Villa used just 14 players in 42 games, when he and Peter Withe scored a combined 38 goals, Withe 20 and Shaw 18, to earn the club a first league title in 71 years. He was also a European Cup winner with Villa in 1982 and scored one of the goals in Villa’s European Super Cup two-leg victory over Barcelona in 1982/83.
In addition, he played seven games, scoring two goals, for the England Under 21 side in 1981/82. He was also included in the 40-strong preliminary England squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup finals but subsequently he was not picked in the final 22.
An injury in 1983 had somewhat reduced his potency and, reluctantly, Villa released him after the 1987/88 season. Thereafter he had a couple of seasons in Denmark and Austria before returning in 1990 when had short spells with Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town. He then moved to Hong Kong where he was a member of the Ernest Borel squad that did a Cup double in the 1991/92 season.
After retirement from the game he subsequently worked for Villa as a youth team coach and for the Press Association and was latterly a football ambassador at Villa Park, where he was a most popular figure.
Following a fall at home he entered hospital but failed to recover and passed away peacefully on 16 September.
Although he only played those six games for Blackpool he is still an integral part of the history of the club and those who did see him play for the Seasiders were delighted to have had the opportunity to do so.
He will be sadly missed and sincere condolences go to his family and friends; Rest in Peace Gary Shaw.
September 12, 2024
A speedy winger
David Edward Parry 1948-2024
David Parry was born in Southport-born on 11 February 1948]. As either an outside left or outside right, he was a member of a Southport school side that had won the Champion School of Lancashire title. Blackpool were alerted to his progress and he was signed by the club as an apprentice professional on 14 August 1964. He was to earn a basic £8 per week, an agreement that was to last for two seasons.
He very quickly made his mark in the junior sides and he made his Central League debut for Blackpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves on 19 September 1964 when Blackpool won 2-1.
He became an integral member of the Central League side and he scored his first senior goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Burnley reserves on 29 September 1964. He went on to play 10 Central League games, scoring one goal, for Blackpool in the 1964/65 season.
Blackpool signed him as a full-time professional on 24 December 1965 when his weekly wage was increased to £10 plus an additional £15 if he played in the first team and an extra £2 when he played in the reserve side.
The press picked up on his quality play against Stoke City reserves on 1 January 1966 he earned praise with ‘most of Blackpool’s early attacking thrusts came from Parry on the left wing’ but Blackpool eventually lost 3-1.
Once again the press highlighted him when there was ‘some useful wing play by Parry’ when Blackpool lost 4-2 to Stoke City reserves on 5 February 1966.
When Jimmy Robson scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in a Lancashire Senior Cup tie on 4 April 1966, he was instrumental in both goals. The first came after 14 minutes when ‘Parry hit a perfect centre into the middle where inside right Robson rose head and shoulders above Blackburn pivot Mulvaney and flashed the ball into the net.” And Robson’s second goal came when ‘Parry, starved of the ball in the second half, then broke away, laid on a perfect pass for Robson and, despite a brave attempt by Jones, the Blackburn ‘keeper, Robson succeeded in pressing the ball just inside the post for the winner.’
He played 19 Central League games, scoring one goal, and one Lancashire Senior Cup tie for Blackpool in the 1965/66 season.
When interviewed about his career in October 1966 he commented, ‘I’m supposed to be one of the fastest players on the books’ and he felt that his speed could possibly help him achieve his first team ambitions. However, he was appearing regularly in the junior sides and had by then only appeared twice in the Central League side in the 1966/67 season. However, when the season ended he had secured a regular place in the side, and had played 25 Central League games, scoring four goals, by the end of the 1966/67 season.
Due to what was deemed to be a large pool of players, some of whom might not be given a fair chance at first team football, it was reluctantly decided that he be given a free transfer on 30 June 1967.
He was quickly signed by Tranmere Rovers in July 1967 but he played just three League games for the club in his one season there..
Tranmere transferred him to Halifax Town in September 1958 but once again he unfortunately did not gain a regular League spot, playing just two League games for the club.
After League football he played 17 games for then Northern Premier League side Wigan Athletic.
He was unfortunate that when he was at Blackpool, the club did have a large number of very experienced professionals and it was difficult to break into the first team squad but, playing 54 Central League games, scoring six goals, and one Senior Cup tie (when Blackpool played a mixture of first-team and reserve players in that competition), he was an important part of the club’s rich heritage.
He died on 25 August 2024 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and condolences go to his family and many friends.
David Parry was born in Southport-born on 11 February 1948]. As either an outside left or outside right, he was a member of a Southport school side that had won the Champion School of Lancashire title. Blackpool were alerted to his progress and he was signed by the club as an apprentice professional on 14 August 1964. He was to earn a basic £8 per week, an agreement that was to last for two seasons.
He very quickly made his mark in the junior sides and he made his Central League debut for Blackpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves on 19 September 1964 when Blackpool won 2-1.
He became an integral member of the Central League side and he scored his first senior goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Burnley reserves on 29 September 1964. He went on to play 10 Central League games, scoring one goal, for Blackpool in the 1964/65 season.
Blackpool signed him as a full-time professional on 24 December 1965 when his weekly wage was increased to £10 plus an additional £15 if he played in the first team and an extra £2 when he played in the reserve side.
The press picked up on his quality play against Stoke City reserves on 1 January 1966 he earned praise with ‘most of Blackpool’s early attacking thrusts came from Parry on the left wing’ but Blackpool eventually lost 3-1.
Once again the press highlighted him when there was ‘some useful wing play by Parry’ when Blackpool lost 4-2 to Stoke City reserves on 5 February 1966.
When Jimmy Robson scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in a Lancashire Senior Cup tie on 4 April 1966, he was instrumental in both goals. The first came after 14 minutes when ‘Parry hit a perfect centre into the middle where inside right Robson rose head and shoulders above Blackburn pivot Mulvaney and flashed the ball into the net.” And Robson’s second goal came when ‘Parry, starved of the ball in the second half, then broke away, laid on a perfect pass for Robson and, despite a brave attempt by Jones, the Blackburn ‘keeper, Robson succeeded in pressing the ball just inside the post for the winner.’
He played 19 Central League games, scoring one goal, and one Lancashire Senior Cup tie for Blackpool in the 1965/66 season.
When interviewed about his career in October 1966 he commented, ‘I’m supposed to be one of the fastest players on the books’ and he felt that his speed could possibly help him achieve his first team ambitions. However, he was appearing regularly in the junior sides and had by then only appeared twice in the Central League side in the 1966/67 season. However, when the season ended he had secured a regular place in the side, and had played 25 Central League games, scoring four goals, by the end of the 1966/67 season.
Due to what was deemed to be a large pool of players, some of whom might not be given a fair chance at first team football, it was reluctantly decided that he be given a free transfer on 30 June 1967.
He was quickly signed by Tranmere Rovers in July 1967 but he played just three League games for the club in his one season there..
Tranmere transferred him to Halifax Town in September 1958 but once again he unfortunately did not gain a regular League spot, playing just two League games for the club.
After League football he played 17 games for then Northern Premier League side Wigan Athletic.
He was unfortunate that when he was at Blackpool, the club did have a large number of very experienced professionals and it was difficult to break into the first team squad but, playing 54 Central League games, scoring six goals, and one Senior Cup tie (when Blackpool played a mixture of first-team and reserve players in that competition), he was an important part of the club’s rich heritage.
He died on 25 August 2024 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and condolences go to his family and many friends.
September 6, 2024
Here We Go Again!
Kansas City Chiefs 27 Baltimore Ravens 20
The 2024 NFL season began with Kansas City Chiefs embarking on an attempt to achieve a third successive Superbowl success but their opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead was not going to be an easy test to start with. A Lamar Jackson-led Ravens were expected to be a stern task of their aspirations. And although the Chiefs controlled most of the game, it was all credit to the Ravens for managing to keep the game to one score.
And that’s how it was when the final play took place on the Chiefs’ 10-yard line with just four seconds remaining. The Ravens had already had two attempts at getting the ball home from that spot but Jackson had missed an almost open Isiah Likely in the end-zone and had to throw another attempt away. Success on either pass would have made the score 27-26 with an extra point to come.
Wind forward to the final play with those four seconds remaining and Jackson danced around to avoid being sacked before spearing a pass to an unmarked Likely at the back of the end-zone. A leaping catch resulted with Likely toe-tapping on the very back line; the Ravens celebrated, and coach John Harbaugh, at 61 the oldest coach in the League (to his surprise) signalled for the offence to go for two points to seal a victory rather than kick the one point to go to overtime.
Alas he was not able to see his plans come to fruition for by the skin of their teeth, or rather the length of a toe-nail, a closer look at the catch revealed Likely’s toe to be just over the end-zone boundary line and the catch was declared incomplete. The Chiefs, therefore, opened their season with, dare I say it, a nail-biting victory 27-20.
In the game Patrick Mahomes was his usual mercurial self, particularly impressive when, near the end of the game on a third down, he rescued a potential interception rather dramatically. Deep in his own half his attempted pass was tipped and looped up into the air but, flanked by two huge Ravens’ linebackers, he leapt between them and caught his own pass to allow the ball to be punted away. This subsequently set up that dramatic end.
There were praiseworthy performances from Ravens’ Isiah Likely who had nine rushes for 111 yards and a touchdown and, of course, Jackson, who was the side’s leading rusher with 16 attempts for 123 yards as well as his 26 passes from 41 attempts for 273 yards. But Derrick Henry was restricted to 46 yards from 13 rushes with a longest of just 10 yards; he did score one short-run touchdown to open the scoring.
For the Chiefs, Mahomes had 20 completions from 28 attempts for 291 yards and one touchdown and also became the Chiefs’ all-time passing leader with, at the moment, 28,508 yards thus overtaking the late great Len Dawson’s record. Rashee Rice held seven catches for 103 yards and it was good to see the rookie, speedy Xavier Worthy have a receiving touchdown, two catches for 47 yards, and a rushing touchdown, one attempt for 21 yards and he will be one to look out for. In addition Isiah Pacheco was impressive with 18 rushes for 46 yards and a touchdown plus two catches for 33 yards, another from whom more impressive performances will be expected.
One frustrating thing for Harbaugh was the number of illegal formation penalties that the Ravens incurred and he will definitely be looking for those to be cut out.
It was an enthralling opening game in which Kansas City Chiefs, while perhaps not being at their very best did nothing to dispel thoughts that they will be contesting Superbowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, in February 2025.
The 2024 NFL season began with Kansas City Chiefs embarking on an attempt to achieve a third successive Superbowl success but their opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead was not going to be an easy test to start with. A Lamar Jackson-led Ravens were expected to be a stern task of their aspirations. And although the Chiefs controlled most of the game, it was all credit to the Ravens for managing to keep the game to one score.
And that’s how it was when the final play took place on the Chiefs’ 10-yard line with just four seconds remaining. The Ravens had already had two attempts at getting the ball home from that spot but Jackson had missed an almost open Isiah Likely in the end-zone and had to throw another attempt away. Success on either pass would have made the score 27-26 with an extra point to come.
Wind forward to the final play with those four seconds remaining and Jackson danced around to avoid being sacked before spearing a pass to an unmarked Likely at the back of the end-zone. A leaping catch resulted with Likely toe-tapping on the very back line; the Ravens celebrated, and coach John Harbaugh, at 61 the oldest coach in the League (to his surprise) signalled for the offence to go for two points to seal a victory rather than kick the one point to go to overtime.
Alas he was not able to see his plans come to fruition for by the skin of their teeth, or rather the length of a toe-nail, a closer look at the catch revealed Likely’s toe to be just over the end-zone boundary line and the catch was declared incomplete. The Chiefs, therefore, opened their season with, dare I say it, a nail-biting victory 27-20.
In the game Patrick Mahomes was his usual mercurial self, particularly impressive when, near the end of the game on a third down, he rescued a potential interception rather dramatically. Deep in his own half his attempted pass was tipped and looped up into the air but, flanked by two huge Ravens’ linebackers, he leapt between them and caught his own pass to allow the ball to be punted away. This subsequently set up that dramatic end.
There were praiseworthy performances from Ravens’ Isiah Likely who had nine rushes for 111 yards and a touchdown and, of course, Jackson, who was the side’s leading rusher with 16 attempts for 123 yards as well as his 26 passes from 41 attempts for 273 yards. But Derrick Henry was restricted to 46 yards from 13 rushes with a longest of just 10 yards; he did score one short-run touchdown to open the scoring.
For the Chiefs, Mahomes had 20 completions from 28 attempts for 291 yards and one touchdown and also became the Chiefs’ all-time passing leader with, at the moment, 28,508 yards thus overtaking the late great Len Dawson’s record. Rashee Rice held seven catches for 103 yards and it was good to see the rookie, speedy Xavier Worthy have a receiving touchdown, two catches for 47 yards, and a rushing touchdown, one attempt for 21 yards and he will be one to look out for. In addition Isiah Pacheco was impressive with 18 rushes for 46 yards and a touchdown plus two catches for 33 yards, another from whom more impressive performances will be expected.
One frustrating thing for Harbaugh was the number of illegal formation penalties that the Ravens incurred and he will definitely be looking for those to be cut out.
It was an enthralling opening game in which Kansas City Chiefs, while perhaps not being at their very best did nothing to dispel thoughts that they will be contesting Superbowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, in February 2025.
June 16, 2024
Rohan Kanhai
Rohan Kanhai first appeared before the Blackpool cricketing public in September 1957 when he played for the West Indian tourists in a drawn match at Stanley Park. He returned four years later, by then an established Test star with, at that time, 28 Tests and five centuries to his credit, for the 1961 Northern League season having signed for Blackpool as their professional.
It was February 1961 when he agreed to join the Blackpool club after three seasons as professional for Aberdeenshire CC, who were most disappointed to lose him. Financial constraints was the reason he was not re-signed and the Aberdeenshire chairman commented, ’Aberdeen’s loss is now the Blackpool club’s gain.’
At Blackpool Kanhai became the third successive Test player to become professional at Stanley Park, following in the footsteps of Pankaj Roy of India and Hanif Mohammad of Pakistan. And he proved to be a great success as in his first season he plundered 919 runs at an average of 65.64.
He scored three centuries, the highest 153 not out against Lancaster, as Blackpool finished in joint second position in the League with Fleetwood, behind champions Leyland. Blackpool also won the League’s Slater Cup with Kanhai being undefeated in the three games played, scoring 86, 74 and 58.
He surpassed his 1961 record in the 1962 season when he led Blackpool to the League title with 1,165 runs at 83.21, including six centuries, with a top score of 156 against Lancaster, and three half-centuries. It was at that time only the sixth occasion that a batsman had passed 1,000 runs in a Northern League cricket season. Incidentally the other five occasions also involved Blackpool professionals, the legendary Bill Alley, four times, and Hanif Mohammad.
Blackpool did not complete the double, however, as they were defeated in the Slater Cup final by Darwen with Kanhai scoring 52 of the all out total of 98; he also scored 60 and 81 in his other two innings in the Cup run.
He was unavailable for the 1963 season, when another West Indian, Cammie Smith, was signed as Blackpool professional but Kanhai’s two seasons with the club saw him score 2,084 League runs at an average of 74.42. He was a very occasional bowler and when he took 2-13 off five overs against Morecambe in June 1961, having just completed an 87-minute century in the Blackpool innings, the local press reported, ‘Blackpool’s most successful bowler was … that’s right, Kanhai.’
By then living on the Fylde Coast, he did return to Northern League cricket 19 years later when he became professional at St Annes in 1981. And he continued his run scoring exploits with 945 runs at 78.75 with two centuries and eight half-centuries to top the League’s averages as well as being the leading runscorer. He returned to St Annes for one further season in 1982 when he created a new club record, which still stands, of 1,085 runs at 60.27 with three centuries and eight half-centuries.
His two seasons at St Annes, therefore, saw him score 2,030 runs at 67.67 bringing his total Northern League runs over a four-season span to a phenomenal 4,114 runs at an average of 70.93.
Rohan Kanhai was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in May 2009 and, still resident on the Fylde Coast, he is nowadays an avid golfer.
It was February 1961 when he agreed to join the Blackpool club after three seasons as professional for Aberdeenshire CC, who were most disappointed to lose him. Financial constraints was the reason he was not re-signed and the Aberdeenshire chairman commented, ’Aberdeen’s loss is now the Blackpool club’s gain.’
At Blackpool Kanhai became the third successive Test player to become professional at Stanley Park, following in the footsteps of Pankaj Roy of India and Hanif Mohammad of Pakistan. And he proved to be a great success as in his first season he plundered 919 runs at an average of 65.64.
He scored three centuries, the highest 153 not out against Lancaster, as Blackpool finished in joint second position in the League with Fleetwood, behind champions Leyland. Blackpool also won the League’s Slater Cup with Kanhai being undefeated in the three games played, scoring 86, 74 and 58.
He surpassed his 1961 record in the 1962 season when he led Blackpool to the League title with 1,165 runs at 83.21, including six centuries, with a top score of 156 against Lancaster, and three half-centuries. It was at that time only the sixth occasion that a batsman had passed 1,000 runs in a Northern League cricket season. Incidentally the other five occasions also involved Blackpool professionals, the legendary Bill Alley, four times, and Hanif Mohammad.
Blackpool did not complete the double, however, as they were defeated in the Slater Cup final by Darwen with Kanhai scoring 52 of the all out total of 98; he also scored 60 and 81 in his other two innings in the Cup run.
He was unavailable for the 1963 season, when another West Indian, Cammie Smith, was signed as Blackpool professional but Kanhai’s two seasons with the club saw him score 2,084 League runs at an average of 74.42. He was a very occasional bowler and when he took 2-13 off five overs against Morecambe in June 1961, having just completed an 87-minute century in the Blackpool innings, the local press reported, ‘Blackpool’s most successful bowler was … that’s right, Kanhai.’
By then living on the Fylde Coast, he did return to Northern League cricket 19 years later when he became professional at St Annes in 1981. And he continued his run scoring exploits with 945 runs at 78.75 with two centuries and eight half-centuries to top the League’s averages as well as being the leading runscorer. He returned to St Annes for one further season in 1982 when he created a new club record, which still stands, of 1,085 runs at 60.27 with three centuries and eight half-centuries.
His two seasons at St Annes, therefore, saw him score 2,030 runs at 67.67 bringing his total Northern League runs over a four-season span to a phenomenal 4,114 runs at an average of 70.93.
Rohan Kanhai was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in May 2009 and, still resident on the Fylde Coast, he is nowadays an avid golfer.
June 3, 2024
Laurie Hardman
CK Broadhurst owner's death
I was saddened to read of the death of Laurie Hardman of CK Broadhurst and read your on-line article that invited comments. As I knew Laurie from the very start at Broadhursts, I thought I would just pen a few thoughts.
He was more or less a contemporary of mine and I well remember him joining Broadhurst, which I note was 1969. At that time I was just starting my secondhand bookselling career and Mr Broadhurst was my mentor (all the time I knew him I never knew the C stood for Charles for I, as an 18-year-old, respected him and always called him Mr Broadhurst). I was from Blackpool and regularly visited his shop to pick up books that I could sell on or add to my own collection.
He was very good to me and let me have some nice items at a price that I could pass on and whenever I called he used to take me up to his office, where there was usually a roaring fire going, and have a chat. He told me how he started the shop after World War I because when he returned to his previous occupation after the war, WH Smith said that they did not want him. So he told me he would show them and start his own shop ... to use that old cliché, the rest is history.
His manager at the time and for years thereafter was Mr Sankey and he too was a gentleman, with whom I established a good realtionship. He, too, looked after me whenever I called and all the years I knew him he was Mr Sankey; I am not even sure that I ever knew his forename either!
Then Mr Broadhurst told me he had taken a young man like myself and it turned out to be Laurie, who, even from that young age one could see that he had a love of books. He, too, was most personable and when I began issuing catalogues in the early 1970s he would purchase items from me, either for stock or for himself. I well remember selling him a boxed set, of about 16 volumes of one of my favourite authors at the time, Stanley Weyman, now virtually unheard of. I was a little sad about this because it was in my own collection but I wanted to enhance my catalogue so I listed it and it sold (sadly!). The fortunate thing was that Laurie bought it so I knew it had gone to a good home - perhaps he still had it in his personal collection! Incidentally I have never seen another full set.
I was working in London later and still used to pop in to see Messrs Broadhurst, Sankey and Laurie (I did know his forename!) and still was able to secure a few bargains to pass on to the London dealers with whom I associated. Mr Broadhurst and Mr Sankey knowing this, they did give me a generous discount so that I could make something for myself. Laurie meanwhile, in those early days, was mainly working on the ground floor.
Although I had not corresponded with him for a few years now (however, my daughter has dealt with CK Broadhurst and has mentioned that her Dad was once a customer and friend of theirs), I still cherish his friendship and I feel sure that his colleagues and of course his customers will miss him very much. He was a gentleman and will be sadly missed and I am delighted to be able to pass on these happy memories of him.
Rest in Peace Laurie.
I was saddened to read of the death of Laurie Hardman of CK Broadhurst and read your on-line article that invited comments. As I knew Laurie from the very start at Broadhursts, I thought I would just pen a few thoughts.
He was more or less a contemporary of mine and I well remember him joining Broadhurst, which I note was 1969. At that time I was just starting my secondhand bookselling career and Mr Broadhurst was my mentor (all the time I knew him I never knew the C stood for Charles for I, as an 18-year-old, respected him and always called him Mr Broadhurst). I was from Blackpool and regularly visited his shop to pick up books that I could sell on or add to my own collection.
He was very good to me and let me have some nice items at a price that I could pass on and whenever I called he used to take me up to his office, where there was usually a roaring fire going, and have a chat. He told me how he started the shop after World War I because when he returned to his previous occupation after the war, WH Smith said that they did not want him. So he told me he would show them and start his own shop ... to use that old cliché, the rest is history.
His manager at the time and for years thereafter was Mr Sankey and he too was a gentleman, with whom I established a good realtionship. He, too, looked after me whenever I called and all the years I knew him he was Mr Sankey; I am not even sure that I ever knew his forename either!
Then Mr Broadhurst told me he had taken a young man like myself and it turned out to be Laurie, who, even from that young age one could see that he had a love of books. He, too, was most personable and when I began issuing catalogues in the early 1970s he would purchase items from me, either for stock or for himself. I well remember selling him a boxed set, of about 16 volumes of one of my favourite authors at the time, Stanley Weyman, now virtually unheard of. I was a little sad about this because it was in my own collection but I wanted to enhance my catalogue so I listed it and it sold (sadly!). The fortunate thing was that Laurie bought it so I knew it had gone to a good home - perhaps he still had it in his personal collection! Incidentally I have never seen another full set.
I was working in London later and still used to pop in to see Messrs Broadhurst, Sankey and Laurie (I did know his forename!) and still was able to secure a few bargains to pass on to the London dealers with whom I associated. Mr Broadhurst and Mr Sankey knowing this, they did give me a generous discount so that I could make something for myself. Laurie meanwhile, in those early days, was mainly working on the ground floor.
Although I had not corresponded with him for a few years now (however, my daughter has dealt with CK Broadhurst and has mentioned that her Dad was once a customer and friend of theirs), I still cherish his friendship and I feel sure that his colleagues and of course his customers will miss him very much. He was a gentleman and will be sadly missed and I am delighted to be able to pass on these happy memories of him.
Rest in Peace Laurie.
