Gerry Wolstenholme's Blog, page 2
May 21, 2024
Durham match report
Runs in the Sun – 1340 of them!
Gerry Wolstenholme
Over four sun-kissed days at Blackpool’s Stanley Park, spectators, and there were plenty of them each day, were treated to a run fest as Lancashire and Durham produced a most enthralling game in their Vitality County Championship match.
Not only was there the return to County Championship cricket for England captain Ben Stokes, for the first time in two years, but, with the game ending late on the final day, spectators witnessed a total of 1340 runs, the second highest ever in a Championship game at Stanley Park, only falling eight runs short of the highest scoring game at the ground [against Derbyshire in 1994].
In addition there had only been one batsman previously who had scored a century in each innings of a match in Blackpool [Warwickshire’s Jim Stewart in a murderous performance in 1959 – I was there!] and then to use an old cliché rather like London buses two came along in this game, which eventually ended late on the final day.
And the outcome was a satisfactory one for home supporters, for, the game that had the distinct possibility of slipping away from them at lunch on the final day, was finally won, relatively comfortably by 60 runs thanks to an inspired spell of pace bowling by George Balderson. He snapped up four of the final five wickets and was instrumental in the run out of the fifth, finishing the innings with figures of 4-52.
When Durham captain Scott Borthwick won the toss it was something of a surprise when he elected to field, although in fairness at that time the day was rather overcast and could have assisted his pace bowlers. Be that as it may, Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings embarked on an even-time 87-run partnership before the former was caught by Colin Ackermann at slip off Matthew Potts for 29.
Jennings and Josh Bohannon, 39, added a further 76 before Stokes made his first significant contribution to the match by having the latter caught by Callum Parkinson. George Bell, eight, went cheaply, before New Zealander Tom Bruce joined Jennings, who passed his century from 137 balls with 15 fours, before departing for 114 when Borthwick took a catch off Parkinson with the total at 214-4.
Bruce went on to make 46 before Stokes caught and bowled him and with wickets falling, it was left to Sajid Mahmood, indulging in a sort of rake’s progress, to enlighten the closing stages by smiting six fours and one six in his 40 not out that left Lancashire on 350-9 at the close.
Mahmood went swiftly on the second morning for 46 and, with Nathan Lyon six not out, Lancashire were dismissed for 357 with Ben Raine and Potts taking three wickets each for 67 and 100 respectively.
Durham began sedately enough but the crowd sat up when Lyon came on and had Borthwick caught by Wells for 10. Thereafter, only a 94-run partnership by the two South Africans, David Bedingham, and Ackermann, 44, added significantly to the total. Tom Aspinwall, in an excellent spell dismissed Ackermann, caught brilliantly one-handed over his head at slip by Jennings, to claim his initial first-class wicket and he was to add four more to finish with an excellent 5-41.
And it was Bedingham, who struck eight stylish boundaries and two sixes that enabled Durham to get remotely close to Lancashire’s total as he made 101 in 142 balls before, nine balls later and without adding to his score, playing on to Aspinwall. Graham Clark’s 24 was the best of the rest as Durham were bowled out for 236, a deficit of 121 runs. Complementing Aspinwall’s magnificent performance, Lyon took 4-59, including winning the dual against Stokes by having him caught by Bruce for only two.
When Lancashire went in again, Potts had to retire from the attack through injury after bowling just three overs and Stokes, who took over, quickly had Wells, six, caught by Potts. And before the close, Raine had Bohannon, 38, caught behind by Ollie Robinson to leave Lancashire at 91-2 when stumps were drawn.
Nightwatchman Will Williams departed quickly on the morning of day three and whilst most of the Lancashire batsmen made contributions, the innings belonged once more to Jennings. And he became the second batsman to score a century in each innings on the ground when after 147 balls and 11 fours and two sixes he completed his second century of the game. He went on to make 155 in 283 balls with 18 fours and two sixes before Stokes had him caught by Borthwick with the total then 313-7.
Of the rest, Bruce once again contributed a hard struck innings of 42 and when Matty Hurst, 30, was caught by Borthwick off the persevering Parkinson, the innings was declared at 353-9. Stokes, bowling at a fast pace throughout, took 5-98, his ninth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
Durham required a massive 475 for victory. Three wickets, two more to Aspinwall, were lost by the time the total had reached 97 but Bedingham and Robinson saw Durham safely to the close at 134-3.
A goodly attendance saw an entertaining last morning’s play with Bedingham and Robinson looking in no difficulty and, indeed, growing in confidence as the innings progressed. Lancashire rotated their bowlers wisely but had lost Mahmood to injury early on, thus their options were more limited. Lyon bowled a superb morning spell but the two Durham batsmen were unbeaten at lunch having added 147 runs thus putting Durham in with a fighting chance of an unlikely victory.
The Durham pair continued after the break, both having passed their centuries, Bedingham from 154 balls with 13 fours and one six, Robinson from 132 balls with 11 fours and three sixes, and when they were parted they had added 216 runs for the fourth wicket. This was a new fourth wicket record for a visiting team at Blackpool, surpassing the 199 that Trevor Bailey and Doug Insole had painstakingly (once again I was there!) put on in 1960.
Bedingham’s downfall for 103 came soon after lunch when, he edged a ball from Lyon and Hurst gleefully snapped up the catch; that made it 313-4. The pendulum was perhaps beginning to swing back to Lancashire!
And so it proved because, despite Robinson batting magnificently, wickets began to tumble with perhaps the most crucial one being that of Stokes. He began very cautiously but then he struck a mighty six into Stanley Park (one of six that required another ball during the day) and two fours to seemingly kick-start his innings. Then against Wells’ leg spin he tried two reverse sweeps both of which were abortive and in trying the stroke a third time he was bowled at 350-5 with 18 to his name.
Was this the beginning of the end? It was when at 380 Jennings made a most significant move when he introduced Balderson into the attack again at the north end. He rewarded his captain with two wickets in one over, Clark, 14, caught by Jennings and Paul Coughlin caught at slip second ball. And in his following over Raine, three, played a trifle too early to a slower ball and Balderson gratefully took the return catch, 384-8.
Potts was run out in a misunderstanding over a second run with Robinson who just managed to cross in mid-wicket to prevent himself from being the victim. And then there was Parkinson. He held on bravely while Robinson farmed the strike as best he could and in doing so advanced to a career-best 171 not out, from 206 balls with 18 fours and four sixes, before Balderson returned to the attack at the south end and, left to fend for himself, Parkinson succumbed to the final ball of an over, caught by Jennings without scoring but at least he survived for 17 balls that enabled Robinson to shepherd Durham to a very gallant 414 all out but it spelt defeat by 60 runs.
It was a magnificent game, watched by large crowds under mainly blue skies and finally the groundsman and his staff need due recognition for providing a superb cricketing track that gave both batsmen and bowlers a chance.
Future dates for the diary for Lancashire games at Stanley Park are 9 June, Lancashire Thunder v Sunrisers, 7 July Lancashire Thunder v South East Stars and finally 28 July Lancashire Lightning v Kent Spitfires … don’t miss them!
Gerry Wolstenholme
Over four sun-kissed days at Blackpool’s Stanley Park, spectators, and there were plenty of them each day, were treated to a run fest as Lancashire and Durham produced a most enthralling game in their Vitality County Championship match.
Not only was there the return to County Championship cricket for England captain Ben Stokes, for the first time in two years, but, with the game ending late on the final day, spectators witnessed a total of 1340 runs, the second highest ever in a Championship game at Stanley Park, only falling eight runs short of the highest scoring game at the ground [against Derbyshire in 1994].
In addition there had only been one batsman previously who had scored a century in each innings of a match in Blackpool [Warwickshire’s Jim Stewart in a murderous performance in 1959 – I was there!] and then to use an old cliché rather like London buses two came along in this game, which eventually ended late on the final day.
And the outcome was a satisfactory one for home supporters, for, the game that had the distinct possibility of slipping away from them at lunch on the final day, was finally won, relatively comfortably by 60 runs thanks to an inspired spell of pace bowling by George Balderson. He snapped up four of the final five wickets and was instrumental in the run out of the fifth, finishing the innings with figures of 4-52.
When Durham captain Scott Borthwick won the toss it was something of a surprise when he elected to field, although in fairness at that time the day was rather overcast and could have assisted his pace bowlers. Be that as it may, Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings embarked on an even-time 87-run partnership before the former was caught by Colin Ackermann at slip off Matthew Potts for 29.
Jennings and Josh Bohannon, 39, added a further 76 before Stokes made his first significant contribution to the match by having the latter caught by Callum Parkinson. George Bell, eight, went cheaply, before New Zealander Tom Bruce joined Jennings, who passed his century from 137 balls with 15 fours, before departing for 114 when Borthwick took a catch off Parkinson with the total at 214-4.
Bruce went on to make 46 before Stokes caught and bowled him and with wickets falling, it was left to Sajid Mahmood, indulging in a sort of rake’s progress, to enlighten the closing stages by smiting six fours and one six in his 40 not out that left Lancashire on 350-9 at the close.
Mahmood went swiftly on the second morning for 46 and, with Nathan Lyon six not out, Lancashire were dismissed for 357 with Ben Raine and Potts taking three wickets each for 67 and 100 respectively.
Durham began sedately enough but the crowd sat up when Lyon came on and had Borthwick caught by Wells for 10. Thereafter, only a 94-run partnership by the two South Africans, David Bedingham, and Ackermann, 44, added significantly to the total. Tom Aspinwall, in an excellent spell dismissed Ackermann, caught brilliantly one-handed over his head at slip by Jennings, to claim his initial first-class wicket and he was to add four more to finish with an excellent 5-41.
And it was Bedingham, who struck eight stylish boundaries and two sixes that enabled Durham to get remotely close to Lancashire’s total as he made 101 in 142 balls before, nine balls later and without adding to his score, playing on to Aspinwall. Graham Clark’s 24 was the best of the rest as Durham were bowled out for 236, a deficit of 121 runs. Complementing Aspinwall’s magnificent performance, Lyon took 4-59, including winning the dual against Stokes by having him caught by Bruce for only two.
When Lancashire went in again, Potts had to retire from the attack through injury after bowling just three overs and Stokes, who took over, quickly had Wells, six, caught by Potts. And before the close, Raine had Bohannon, 38, caught behind by Ollie Robinson to leave Lancashire at 91-2 when stumps were drawn.
Nightwatchman Will Williams departed quickly on the morning of day three and whilst most of the Lancashire batsmen made contributions, the innings belonged once more to Jennings. And he became the second batsman to score a century in each innings on the ground when after 147 balls and 11 fours and two sixes he completed his second century of the game. He went on to make 155 in 283 balls with 18 fours and two sixes before Stokes had him caught by Borthwick with the total then 313-7.
Of the rest, Bruce once again contributed a hard struck innings of 42 and when Matty Hurst, 30, was caught by Borthwick off the persevering Parkinson, the innings was declared at 353-9. Stokes, bowling at a fast pace throughout, took 5-98, his ninth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
Durham required a massive 475 for victory. Three wickets, two more to Aspinwall, were lost by the time the total had reached 97 but Bedingham and Robinson saw Durham safely to the close at 134-3.
A goodly attendance saw an entertaining last morning’s play with Bedingham and Robinson looking in no difficulty and, indeed, growing in confidence as the innings progressed. Lancashire rotated their bowlers wisely but had lost Mahmood to injury early on, thus their options were more limited. Lyon bowled a superb morning spell but the two Durham batsmen were unbeaten at lunch having added 147 runs thus putting Durham in with a fighting chance of an unlikely victory.
The Durham pair continued after the break, both having passed their centuries, Bedingham from 154 balls with 13 fours and one six, Robinson from 132 balls with 11 fours and three sixes, and when they were parted they had added 216 runs for the fourth wicket. This was a new fourth wicket record for a visiting team at Blackpool, surpassing the 199 that Trevor Bailey and Doug Insole had painstakingly (once again I was there!) put on in 1960.
Bedingham’s downfall for 103 came soon after lunch when, he edged a ball from Lyon and Hurst gleefully snapped up the catch; that made it 313-4. The pendulum was perhaps beginning to swing back to Lancashire!
And so it proved because, despite Robinson batting magnificently, wickets began to tumble with perhaps the most crucial one being that of Stokes. He began very cautiously but then he struck a mighty six into Stanley Park (one of six that required another ball during the day) and two fours to seemingly kick-start his innings. Then against Wells’ leg spin he tried two reverse sweeps both of which were abortive and in trying the stroke a third time he was bowled at 350-5 with 18 to his name.
Was this the beginning of the end? It was when at 380 Jennings made a most significant move when he introduced Balderson into the attack again at the north end. He rewarded his captain with two wickets in one over, Clark, 14, caught by Jennings and Paul Coughlin caught at slip second ball. And in his following over Raine, three, played a trifle too early to a slower ball and Balderson gratefully took the return catch, 384-8.
Potts was run out in a misunderstanding over a second run with Robinson who just managed to cross in mid-wicket to prevent himself from being the victim. And then there was Parkinson. He held on bravely while Robinson farmed the strike as best he could and in doing so advanced to a career-best 171 not out, from 206 balls with 18 fours and four sixes, before Balderson returned to the attack at the south end and, left to fend for himself, Parkinson succumbed to the final ball of an over, caught by Jennings without scoring but at least he survived for 17 balls that enabled Robinson to shepherd Durham to a very gallant 414 all out but it spelt defeat by 60 runs.
It was a magnificent game, watched by large crowds under mainly blue skies and finally the groundsman and his staff need due recognition for providing a superb cricketing track that gave both batsmen and bowlers a chance.
Future dates for the diary for Lancashire games at Stanley Park are 9 June, Lancashire Thunder v Sunrisers, 7 July Lancashire Thunder v South East Stars and finally 28 July Lancashire Lightning v Kent Spitfires … don’t miss them!
May 13, 2024
Durham CCC Preview
A Warm (and hopefully Dry) Welcome to Durham
Gerry Wolstenholme
Durham pay their second visit to Blackpool for a County Championship game later this week, 17 to 20 May, since becoming a first-class county in 1992. We welcome their officials, players and supporters and look forward to some fine weather to witness a game that pits fifth-placed Durham, 61 points, against bottom-placed Lancashire, 61 points.
Durham, newly promoted from Division Two this season, defeated Worcestershire by 185 runs at Chester-le-Street for their one victory with three games drawn and one abandoned. Their leading runscorer is South African David Bedingham with 490 runs, including two centuries, 144 and 138, while Callum Parkinson leads the bowlers with 13 wickets at an average of 46.69. Colin Ackermann, 112, and Matthew Potts, a magnificent 149 not out as nightwatchman, have also made centuries.
Meanwhile Lancashire have struggled somewhat after, like Durham, having their first game abandoned. Since then they have drawn one and lost three. Keaton Jennings leads the way with the bat with 343 runs at42.87 with a best of 172 while the only other centurion is up and coming wicketkeeper Matthew Hurst, who made 104 in the defeat by Nottinghamshire. Nathan Lyon leads the bowlers with 112 wickets at 26.91 each with George Balderston, 11, and Will Williams, 10, hot on his heels.
As for the history between the two clubs, Durham first appeared in Blackpool in August 1908 in a Minor Counties North match when, in a low scoring contest, the visitors won by 27 runs. The north east county returned for Minor County matches in 1922 and 1928. In the first of these games Lancashire Second XI won by nine wickets with Joe Massey, later to play for Blackpool for a number of years, scored 60 while Harry Tyldesley in the first Durham innings took 5-28 and Albert Rhodes took 7-40 in the second innings.
In 1928 it was a much closer contest with Lancashire coming out the winners by just one run and this after being bowled out for 72 in the first innings and being obliged to follow-on! Second time around Len Horridge made 63 and future England Test wicketkeeper Bill Farrimond made 70 from an all-out total of 231 Set 111 to win Durham were dismissed for 109 thanks to 5-33 from Frank Rushton.
It was 75 years later before Durham returned to Blackpool in 2003 for a Second XI Championship game and once again it was a close fought game. Paul Horton’s 70 helped Lancashire to 285 all out to which Durham replied with 220, Gary Keedy taking 5-33. Only Australian Steven Crook, 31, made much headway in the second innings as Lancashire were dismissed for 101, setting Durham a target of 167. But the Lancashire attack, Crook, 4-48, Oliver Newby, 1-40, Keedy 3-32 and Gary Yates, 2-35, restricted Durham to 159 to suffer defeat by seven runs.
Then came Durham’s first-class debut at Blackpool in 2007 when the scheduled four-day game ended in two days. Durham won the toss, decided to bat and were dismissed for 166 thanks to Glenn Chapple’s magnificent 7-53; only Australian Michael Di Venuto with 78 made any significant contribution. At the close of day one, Lancashire were not much better placed at 137-8 but the following morning Luke Sutton, 66 not out, and Sajid Mahmood, 41, continued their ninth wicket partnership to put on 69 and take Lancashire to 183 all out. Otis Gibson, 8-68 was the destroyer with the second best bowling figures for a visiting bowler at Blackpool [Tommy Mitchell’s 8-33 for Derbyshire in 1933 being the only figures to better that return].
Durham’s second innings followed the same pattern as the first and only Dale Benkenstein, Lancashire’s current coach, with 77 enabled them to reach 185. The wickets were shared between Mahmood 4-51, Chapple 3-33 and Blackpool’s Steven Croft 3-40. But Lancashire run chase began badly, 7-2 became 44-3 before Stuart Law 82 not out and VVS Laxman, 55 not out, took their side to victory by seven wickets at 169-3 with two days to spare.
Finally, in 2011, Durham Second XI visited to play two T20 games on 31 May. Durham won the first by four wickets; Lancashire 123 all out, Jordan Clark, now with Surrey, top scoring with 33, Durham 126-6, winning off the final ball of their 20 overs. The second game was even more disastrous for Lancashire who were dismissed for 82 in 18.3 overs, Clark once more top scoring, this time with a more modest 26 and Ben Raine taking 3-8. Durham, thanks to 48 off 47 balls by future England opener Mark Stoneman made short work of their target, scoring 86-3 off 14.3 overs.
And so we come up to date with the prospect of an intriguing contest ahead of us. Let us hope for fine weather, a large crowd and some good cricket; ‘Play up! Play up! and play the game!’ as Henry Newbolt wrote in 1892!
Gerry Wolstenholme
Durham pay their second visit to Blackpool for a County Championship game later this week, 17 to 20 May, since becoming a first-class county in 1992. We welcome their officials, players and supporters and look forward to some fine weather to witness a game that pits fifth-placed Durham, 61 points, against bottom-placed Lancashire, 61 points.
Durham, newly promoted from Division Two this season, defeated Worcestershire by 185 runs at Chester-le-Street for their one victory with three games drawn and one abandoned. Their leading runscorer is South African David Bedingham with 490 runs, including two centuries, 144 and 138, while Callum Parkinson leads the bowlers with 13 wickets at an average of 46.69. Colin Ackermann, 112, and Matthew Potts, a magnificent 149 not out as nightwatchman, have also made centuries.
Meanwhile Lancashire have struggled somewhat after, like Durham, having their first game abandoned. Since then they have drawn one and lost three. Keaton Jennings leads the way with the bat with 343 runs at42.87 with a best of 172 while the only other centurion is up and coming wicketkeeper Matthew Hurst, who made 104 in the defeat by Nottinghamshire. Nathan Lyon leads the bowlers with 112 wickets at 26.91 each with George Balderston, 11, and Will Williams, 10, hot on his heels.
As for the history between the two clubs, Durham first appeared in Blackpool in August 1908 in a Minor Counties North match when, in a low scoring contest, the visitors won by 27 runs. The north east county returned for Minor County matches in 1922 and 1928. In the first of these games Lancashire Second XI won by nine wickets with Joe Massey, later to play for Blackpool for a number of years, scored 60 while Harry Tyldesley in the first Durham innings took 5-28 and Albert Rhodes took 7-40 in the second innings.
In 1928 it was a much closer contest with Lancashire coming out the winners by just one run and this after being bowled out for 72 in the first innings and being obliged to follow-on! Second time around Len Horridge made 63 and future England Test wicketkeeper Bill Farrimond made 70 from an all-out total of 231 Set 111 to win Durham were dismissed for 109 thanks to 5-33 from Frank Rushton.
It was 75 years later before Durham returned to Blackpool in 2003 for a Second XI Championship game and once again it was a close fought game. Paul Horton’s 70 helped Lancashire to 285 all out to which Durham replied with 220, Gary Keedy taking 5-33. Only Australian Steven Crook, 31, made much headway in the second innings as Lancashire were dismissed for 101, setting Durham a target of 167. But the Lancashire attack, Crook, 4-48, Oliver Newby, 1-40, Keedy 3-32 and Gary Yates, 2-35, restricted Durham to 159 to suffer defeat by seven runs.
Then came Durham’s first-class debut at Blackpool in 2007 when the scheduled four-day game ended in two days. Durham won the toss, decided to bat and were dismissed for 166 thanks to Glenn Chapple’s magnificent 7-53; only Australian Michael Di Venuto with 78 made any significant contribution. At the close of day one, Lancashire were not much better placed at 137-8 but the following morning Luke Sutton, 66 not out, and Sajid Mahmood, 41, continued their ninth wicket partnership to put on 69 and take Lancashire to 183 all out. Otis Gibson, 8-68 was the destroyer with the second best bowling figures for a visiting bowler at Blackpool [Tommy Mitchell’s 8-33 for Derbyshire in 1933 being the only figures to better that return].
Durham’s second innings followed the same pattern as the first and only Dale Benkenstein, Lancashire’s current coach, with 77 enabled them to reach 185. The wickets were shared between Mahmood 4-51, Chapple 3-33 and Blackpool’s Steven Croft 3-40. But Lancashire run chase began badly, 7-2 became 44-3 before Stuart Law 82 not out and VVS Laxman, 55 not out, took their side to victory by seven wickets at 169-3 with two days to spare.
Finally, in 2011, Durham Second XI visited to play two T20 games on 31 May. Durham won the first by four wickets; Lancashire 123 all out, Jordan Clark, now with Surrey, top scoring with 33, Durham 126-6, winning off the final ball of their 20 overs. The second game was even more disastrous for Lancashire who were dismissed for 82 in 18.3 overs, Clark once more top scoring, this time with a more modest 26 and Ben Raine taking 3-8. Durham, thanks to 48 off 47 balls by future England opener Mark Stoneman made short work of their target, scoring 86-3 off 14.3 overs.
And so we come up to date with the prospect of an intriguing contest ahead of us. Let us hope for fine weather, a large crowd and some good cricket; ‘Play up! Play up! and play the game!’ as Henry Newbolt wrote in 1892!
August 18, 2023
A Thorough Professional
Brian Victor Snowdon 1935-2023
Brian Snowdon was born in Bishop Auckland on 1 January 1935. After junior football he joined his local club Bishop Auckland as an inside forward. And when he was spotted by a Blackpool scout he was signed by Blackpool as an amateur inside forward on 1 February 1952.
After playing in the junior sides, Blackpool were impressed enough to sign him as a professional on 29 August 1952. The club quickly converted him into a promising wing half when playing in the Lancashire Combination side and the Blackpool ‘A’ team. But his Blackpool career was interrupted when he joined the RAF on 18 February 1953 for his two years’ National Service.
Immediately on his return to the club he made his Central League debut at right half against Sheffield Wednesday reserves on 19 February 1955 when Blackpool won 2-1. He went on to play three Central League games in the 1954/55 season.
He was tried at centre half in the Central League team in the opening game of the 1955/56 season on 20 August 1955 when Blackpool defeated Bolton Wanderers reserves 1-0 and, encouragingly, manager Joe Smith said, ‘He is the ideal deputy to Gratrix. I would never have any worries about playing Snowden in the first team.’ And from then on centre half was his preferred position.
He made his First Division debut at centre half in front of a crowd of 57,820 against Everton on 21 April 1956 when Blackpool lost 1-0 and unfortunately Farrell’s shot deflected off Snowdon’s foot to defeat goalkeeper George Farm. However, the Liverpool Echo reported, ‘Kirby went to centre forward but he did not have the subtlety to beat such sparkling wing half backs as the two Kellys [Jim and Hughie] and Snowdon’. And Brian Pilkington in the Lancashire Evening Post reported, ‘Snowdon, the 21-year-old reserve centre half, had a grand game for his first division debut and was always the master of centre forward Harris, especially in the air.’
He retained his place for the final League game of the season on 28 April 1956 when Blackpool required a single point to be sure of second place in Division One. Unfortunately Blackpool, despite going ahead after three minutes, lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Results, however, went Blackpool’s way and they did finish as runners-up to Manchester United.
During the 1955/56 season his progress was closely noted by several clubs and quite a few showed an interest in signing him but Blackpool had no intention in considering any approach for him. He had played two League games and 35 Central League games in the 1955/56 season. And post-season he played in the Westmorland County FA Invitation Trophy at Kendal against Preston North End on 30 April 1956, when he ‘did well in defence’ as the game was drawn 2-2. The clubs each held the Trophy for six months.
After playing most of the 1956/57 season at centre half in the Central League side, he was recalled to the League side at right half for the game against Chelsea on 13 April 1957 when the comment was ’The two new boys had started weakly [Brian Peterson was making only his second appearance], but as the half progressed Peterson had shown his wiles as a ball player, and Snowdon had appeared more in the picture as a strong, quick-tackling wing half.’ Blackpool won the game 1-0.
He also played the final two League games of the season at centre half when Blackpool lost to Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on 27 April 1957 and defeated Burnley 1-0 on 1 May 1957. He played three League games and 33 Central League games, including one at centre forward, in the 1956/57 season.
His performances in the 1956/57 season earned him a weekly wage increase for the 1957/58 season to £13 in the summer and £16 in the winter.
And, a regular in the Central League side, he once again earned an end of season recall into the league side when he appeared at centre half against Everton on 23 April 1958 when Blackpool fielding what was described as ‘an experimental team’ with Wright, Armfield and Garrett unfit, Gratrix moved to his original position of right back and Snowdon took his place at centre half; interestingly there were three South African players in the forward line in Perry, Peterson and Hauser, the last named making his debut. Blackpool lost the game 1-0.
It was Snowdon’s only league game of the season but he did play 39 Central League games, scoring five goals, all penalties, in the 1957/58 season.
And once again his performances earned him a wage increase for the 1958/59 season when his weekly wage was £16 in the summer and £19 in the winter.
Perhaps surprisingly he was tried at centre forward at the start of the 1958/59 season and he scored in his first game in the position in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United reserves on 23 August 1958.
He earned a call-up to the league side at centre forward for the game against Newcastle United on 3 September 1958 but he failed to score as Blackpool lost 1-0. He kept his place for the following game against Wolverhampton Wanderers when Blackpool were ‘on the defensive for the whole of the game’ and lost 2-0.
Back in the Central League side he scored a hat-trick in just 10 minutes late in the second half on 17 September 1958 to give Blackpool a 4-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers reserves. And on 27 September he was re-introduced into the league side at centre forward, replacing the injured Ray Charnley, against West Ham United and he opened the scoring slotting home a pass from Matthews to score his first Division One goal as Blackpool went on to a 2-0 victory.
Perhaps understandably, he requested a transfer in September 1958 because, as he said, ‘With Roy Gratrix on the club’s books I feel that my chances of gaining a regular first team place at centre half are pretty slim.’ And he added, ’I want to play at centre half which I consider to be my best position.’ The Directors agreed to consider offers for him but when he was told that no suitable offer had been made, he asked to be taken off the list in February 1959.
Interestingly, three weeks after requesting a transfer he decided to tell his side of the story to the local press. He said, ’First came the news that the directors had agreed to consider offers for me. Then followed the unfortunate accident to Ray Charnley which resulted in my being recalled to the first team. And last Saturday I had the pleasure of scoring my first League goal. As far as first team football goes, this was my happiest match and I enjoyed it. I certainly felt more at home in the centre forward position than I did when I led the attack at Newcastle and Wolverhampton.
‘But let me say straight away that this has not made me change my mind about my future plans. Those spectators who might be thinking that I now want to withdraw my transfer request should know that I am still determined to go. My reasons for wanting a move were and still are, twofold. The first is that with such an accomplished and consistent player as Roy Gratrix on the club’s books I feel that my chances of gaining a regular first team place at centre half are pretty slim. The second reason is that I want to play at centre half, which I consider to be my best position.
‘I came to Blackpool as an amateur inside forward from Bishop Auckland in 1952 and as an inside forward I failed miserably. Although by then I had turned professional I considered very much giving up the game. My confidence and enthusiasm were sinking and I felt that I was just not good enough. But Blackpool persevered with me, converted me to centre half and almost immediately I felt renewed confidence in myself. “This is the position for me”, I told myself and everything that has happened since has only strengthened that belief. But I shall never forget that it was Blackpool who still had faith in me when things were looking bleak and this is only one of several reasons why, when the time comes, I shall leave Blackpool with many regrets.
‘My decision to ask for a transfer was not taken lightly. I considered the situation from every angle and talked it over with my wife a lot before sending in my application. You see, Blackpool have treated me extremely well. They put me on top money even though I was a reserve player, and in many other aspects they have been considerate and understanding. I know that no matter which other club I may join I cannot expect fairer treatment than that I have received at Bloomfield Road.
‘When Mr Ronnie Suart, the manager, moved me to centre forward in the second team at the start of the season I appreciated that, faced with a shortage of forwards, it was only natural that he should make experiments. Believe me, I have done my best to make a go of the centre forward position. I am not the sort of player to sulk if I moved out of position. But after 11 games at centre forward before today [4 October 1958], three of them in the senior side, I still feel that I am essentially a centre half. I am 23 years old and most ambitious to succeed in my chosen profession. I consider that I have had sufficient experience at Bloomfield Road to be ready for the vagaries of League football. To leave Blackpool will be a wrench, and it will be even harder for my wife, who is a local girl, but I want to make a success in the game and I feel I can best do it with some other club.’
In a 1-1 draw with Burnley on 11 October 1958 when the Blackpool ’attack [was] never a real power’ he very nearly broke the deadlock when Perry crossed the ball and Snowdon ‘waited for it, leaped high at it and headed it in fast. The Kop were preparing to release the old Kop roar as McDonald, probably unsighted, but instinctively leaping the right way, held the ball superbly’.
After a run of five league games, he returned to the Central League side and he ’was the chief architect of the visitors’ recovery’ as he scored twice in the side’s 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town reserves on 7 February 1959. He did return for three further league games in his preferred centre half position and what turned out to be his last league game of the season was in a 3-0 victory over Leeds United on 4 April 1959. In his final full season at the club, he played 10 League games, scoring one goal, and 31 Central League games, scoring 16 goals while alternating between the centre forward and centre half positions.
What turned out to be his final league games for Blackpool came on 9 and 12 September 1959 when he played at centre half in a 1-1 draw and a disappointing 5-0 defeat respectively. And he had requested a transfer again in order to attain regular first team football, ironically just as he had been told that he would be in the first team to play at Leicester. But he said, ’Getting in the first team does not really solve my problems as I think it can only be a temporary measure. I cannot expect an extended run with a player like Gratrix around, especially if I am unlucky enough to have a bad game or two.’ If his request was to be granted, it was expected that quite a few clubs would be interested in signing him.
His request was indeed granted and almost immediately the decision to release him was announced he was transferred to Portsmouth for a fee of £8,500 (some reports incorrectly state £10,000) on 7 October 1959 when the terms were that Portsmouth would pay an initial £5,000 on his signing and the balance of £3,500 by 31 December 1959; in the event the final £3,500 was received on 1 March 1960.
He had played two League games and nine Central League games, scoring one goal, up to his transfer in the 1959/60 season and his senior career at the club had encompassed 18 League games, in which he scored one goal, and 150 Central League games, in which he scored 22 goals. [As a youngster I had seen many of his Central League games; travelling away when my Dad was working was out of the question, and he became one of my favourite players.]
He went straight into the Portsmouth first team and was made captain of the Second Division side. His first game at Fratton Park coincided with Portsmouth’s first home win for 11 months!
He entered hospital for a shoulder operation in February 1960 following two dislocations of his collarbone and missed a number of games but he eventually played 114 League games and 15 Cup ties for Portsmouth. He was then transferred to Millwall in October 1963 and he was once again made captain for the 1964/65 season. He went on to play 128 League games for Millwall, who during his tenure went through a period of 59 home matches unbeaten! During this period he led the club to successive promotions from Division Four to Division Two.
Then, working as a PE teacher at the same school as two Margate footballers, he moved in the summer of 1967 to non-league Margate, where he was immediately made club captain.
He was in the Margate side that defeated Yeovil in the FA Cup first round in December 1967 and the local press commented, ‘he gives and asks for no quarter’. In a move that had been prearranged before he joined Margate, he joined Detroit Cougars, managed by a former Millwall colleague Len Julians, in the North American Professional League in January 1968. He played 27 games for the Cougars.
He returned briefly to league football with Crystal Palace when he signed for the club in February 1969 but he played just one League game and made four substitute appearances for the club. After finishing with league football he played for non-league clubs Brentwood Town, 1969-70, and Chelmsford City, 1970-71, after they merged with Brentwood.
After football he continued to work as a PE teacher and also ran a petrol station with Len Julians in Meopham, north west Kent.
He died on 14 August 2023, at the age of 88 and sincere condolences for this dedicated professional and very well liked and popular player go to his family and friends.
Brian Snowdon was born in Bishop Auckland on 1 January 1935. After junior football he joined his local club Bishop Auckland as an inside forward. And when he was spotted by a Blackpool scout he was signed by Blackpool as an amateur inside forward on 1 February 1952.
After playing in the junior sides, Blackpool were impressed enough to sign him as a professional on 29 August 1952. The club quickly converted him into a promising wing half when playing in the Lancashire Combination side and the Blackpool ‘A’ team. But his Blackpool career was interrupted when he joined the RAF on 18 February 1953 for his two years’ National Service.
Immediately on his return to the club he made his Central League debut at right half against Sheffield Wednesday reserves on 19 February 1955 when Blackpool won 2-1. He went on to play three Central League games in the 1954/55 season.
He was tried at centre half in the Central League team in the opening game of the 1955/56 season on 20 August 1955 when Blackpool defeated Bolton Wanderers reserves 1-0 and, encouragingly, manager Joe Smith said, ‘He is the ideal deputy to Gratrix. I would never have any worries about playing Snowden in the first team.’ And from then on centre half was his preferred position.
He made his First Division debut at centre half in front of a crowd of 57,820 against Everton on 21 April 1956 when Blackpool lost 1-0 and unfortunately Farrell’s shot deflected off Snowdon’s foot to defeat goalkeeper George Farm. However, the Liverpool Echo reported, ‘Kirby went to centre forward but he did not have the subtlety to beat such sparkling wing half backs as the two Kellys [Jim and Hughie] and Snowdon’. And Brian Pilkington in the Lancashire Evening Post reported, ‘Snowdon, the 21-year-old reserve centre half, had a grand game for his first division debut and was always the master of centre forward Harris, especially in the air.’
He retained his place for the final League game of the season on 28 April 1956 when Blackpool required a single point to be sure of second place in Division One. Unfortunately Blackpool, despite going ahead after three minutes, lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Results, however, went Blackpool’s way and they did finish as runners-up to Manchester United.
During the 1955/56 season his progress was closely noted by several clubs and quite a few showed an interest in signing him but Blackpool had no intention in considering any approach for him. He had played two League games and 35 Central League games in the 1955/56 season. And post-season he played in the Westmorland County FA Invitation Trophy at Kendal against Preston North End on 30 April 1956, when he ‘did well in defence’ as the game was drawn 2-2. The clubs each held the Trophy for six months.
After playing most of the 1956/57 season at centre half in the Central League side, he was recalled to the League side at right half for the game against Chelsea on 13 April 1957 when the comment was ’The two new boys had started weakly [Brian Peterson was making only his second appearance], but as the half progressed Peterson had shown his wiles as a ball player, and Snowdon had appeared more in the picture as a strong, quick-tackling wing half.’ Blackpool won the game 1-0.
He also played the final two League games of the season at centre half when Blackpool lost to Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on 27 April 1957 and defeated Burnley 1-0 on 1 May 1957. He played three League games and 33 Central League games, including one at centre forward, in the 1956/57 season.
His performances in the 1956/57 season earned him a weekly wage increase for the 1957/58 season to £13 in the summer and £16 in the winter.
And, a regular in the Central League side, he once again earned an end of season recall into the league side when he appeared at centre half against Everton on 23 April 1958 when Blackpool fielding what was described as ‘an experimental team’ with Wright, Armfield and Garrett unfit, Gratrix moved to his original position of right back and Snowdon took his place at centre half; interestingly there were three South African players in the forward line in Perry, Peterson and Hauser, the last named making his debut. Blackpool lost the game 1-0.
It was Snowdon’s only league game of the season but he did play 39 Central League games, scoring five goals, all penalties, in the 1957/58 season.
And once again his performances earned him a wage increase for the 1958/59 season when his weekly wage was £16 in the summer and £19 in the winter.
Perhaps surprisingly he was tried at centre forward at the start of the 1958/59 season and he scored in his first game in the position in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United reserves on 23 August 1958.
He earned a call-up to the league side at centre forward for the game against Newcastle United on 3 September 1958 but he failed to score as Blackpool lost 1-0. He kept his place for the following game against Wolverhampton Wanderers when Blackpool were ‘on the defensive for the whole of the game’ and lost 2-0.
Back in the Central League side he scored a hat-trick in just 10 minutes late in the second half on 17 September 1958 to give Blackpool a 4-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers reserves. And on 27 September he was re-introduced into the league side at centre forward, replacing the injured Ray Charnley, against West Ham United and he opened the scoring slotting home a pass from Matthews to score his first Division One goal as Blackpool went on to a 2-0 victory.
Perhaps understandably, he requested a transfer in September 1958 because, as he said, ‘With Roy Gratrix on the club’s books I feel that my chances of gaining a regular first team place at centre half are pretty slim.’ And he added, ’I want to play at centre half which I consider to be my best position.’ The Directors agreed to consider offers for him but when he was told that no suitable offer had been made, he asked to be taken off the list in February 1959.
Interestingly, three weeks after requesting a transfer he decided to tell his side of the story to the local press. He said, ’First came the news that the directors had agreed to consider offers for me. Then followed the unfortunate accident to Ray Charnley which resulted in my being recalled to the first team. And last Saturday I had the pleasure of scoring my first League goal. As far as first team football goes, this was my happiest match and I enjoyed it. I certainly felt more at home in the centre forward position than I did when I led the attack at Newcastle and Wolverhampton.
‘But let me say straight away that this has not made me change my mind about my future plans. Those spectators who might be thinking that I now want to withdraw my transfer request should know that I am still determined to go. My reasons for wanting a move were and still are, twofold. The first is that with such an accomplished and consistent player as Roy Gratrix on the club’s books I feel that my chances of gaining a regular first team place at centre half are pretty slim. The second reason is that I want to play at centre half, which I consider to be my best position.
‘I came to Blackpool as an amateur inside forward from Bishop Auckland in 1952 and as an inside forward I failed miserably. Although by then I had turned professional I considered very much giving up the game. My confidence and enthusiasm were sinking and I felt that I was just not good enough. But Blackpool persevered with me, converted me to centre half and almost immediately I felt renewed confidence in myself. “This is the position for me”, I told myself and everything that has happened since has only strengthened that belief. But I shall never forget that it was Blackpool who still had faith in me when things were looking bleak and this is only one of several reasons why, when the time comes, I shall leave Blackpool with many regrets.
‘My decision to ask for a transfer was not taken lightly. I considered the situation from every angle and talked it over with my wife a lot before sending in my application. You see, Blackpool have treated me extremely well. They put me on top money even though I was a reserve player, and in many other aspects they have been considerate and understanding. I know that no matter which other club I may join I cannot expect fairer treatment than that I have received at Bloomfield Road.
‘When Mr Ronnie Suart, the manager, moved me to centre forward in the second team at the start of the season I appreciated that, faced with a shortage of forwards, it was only natural that he should make experiments. Believe me, I have done my best to make a go of the centre forward position. I am not the sort of player to sulk if I moved out of position. But after 11 games at centre forward before today [4 October 1958], three of them in the senior side, I still feel that I am essentially a centre half. I am 23 years old and most ambitious to succeed in my chosen profession. I consider that I have had sufficient experience at Bloomfield Road to be ready for the vagaries of League football. To leave Blackpool will be a wrench, and it will be even harder for my wife, who is a local girl, but I want to make a success in the game and I feel I can best do it with some other club.’
In a 1-1 draw with Burnley on 11 October 1958 when the Blackpool ’attack [was] never a real power’ he very nearly broke the deadlock when Perry crossed the ball and Snowdon ‘waited for it, leaped high at it and headed it in fast. The Kop were preparing to release the old Kop roar as McDonald, probably unsighted, but instinctively leaping the right way, held the ball superbly’.
After a run of five league games, he returned to the Central League side and he ’was the chief architect of the visitors’ recovery’ as he scored twice in the side’s 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town reserves on 7 February 1959. He did return for three further league games in his preferred centre half position and what turned out to be his last league game of the season was in a 3-0 victory over Leeds United on 4 April 1959. In his final full season at the club, he played 10 League games, scoring one goal, and 31 Central League games, scoring 16 goals while alternating between the centre forward and centre half positions.
What turned out to be his final league games for Blackpool came on 9 and 12 September 1959 when he played at centre half in a 1-1 draw and a disappointing 5-0 defeat respectively. And he had requested a transfer again in order to attain regular first team football, ironically just as he had been told that he would be in the first team to play at Leicester. But he said, ’Getting in the first team does not really solve my problems as I think it can only be a temporary measure. I cannot expect an extended run with a player like Gratrix around, especially if I am unlucky enough to have a bad game or two.’ If his request was to be granted, it was expected that quite a few clubs would be interested in signing him.
His request was indeed granted and almost immediately the decision to release him was announced he was transferred to Portsmouth for a fee of £8,500 (some reports incorrectly state £10,000) on 7 October 1959 when the terms were that Portsmouth would pay an initial £5,000 on his signing and the balance of £3,500 by 31 December 1959; in the event the final £3,500 was received on 1 March 1960.
He had played two League games and nine Central League games, scoring one goal, up to his transfer in the 1959/60 season and his senior career at the club had encompassed 18 League games, in which he scored one goal, and 150 Central League games, in which he scored 22 goals. [As a youngster I had seen many of his Central League games; travelling away when my Dad was working was out of the question, and he became one of my favourite players.]
He went straight into the Portsmouth first team and was made captain of the Second Division side. His first game at Fratton Park coincided with Portsmouth’s first home win for 11 months!
He entered hospital for a shoulder operation in February 1960 following two dislocations of his collarbone and missed a number of games but he eventually played 114 League games and 15 Cup ties for Portsmouth. He was then transferred to Millwall in October 1963 and he was once again made captain for the 1964/65 season. He went on to play 128 League games for Millwall, who during his tenure went through a period of 59 home matches unbeaten! During this period he led the club to successive promotions from Division Four to Division Two.
Then, working as a PE teacher at the same school as two Margate footballers, he moved in the summer of 1967 to non-league Margate, where he was immediately made club captain.
He was in the Margate side that defeated Yeovil in the FA Cup first round in December 1967 and the local press commented, ‘he gives and asks for no quarter’. In a move that had been prearranged before he joined Margate, he joined Detroit Cougars, managed by a former Millwall colleague Len Julians, in the North American Professional League in January 1968. He played 27 games for the Cougars.
He returned briefly to league football with Crystal Palace when he signed for the club in February 1969 but he played just one League game and made four substitute appearances for the club. After finishing with league football he played for non-league clubs Brentwood Town, 1969-70, and Chelmsford City, 1970-71, after they merged with Brentwood.
After football he continued to work as a PE teacher and also ran a petrol station with Len Julians in Meopham, north west Kent.
He died on 14 August 2023, at the age of 88 and sincere condolences for this dedicated professional and very well liked and popular player go to his family and friends.
August 10, 2023
Lancashire shoot down the Spitfires!
In what turned out to be a rather one-sided contest at Stanley Park on Wednesday, Lancashire’s big guns shot down the Spitfires from Kent comfortably, winning the game by 125 runs, the margin being lessened by a brave last-wicket partnership of 37 by Matt Quinn and Jaskaran Singh, the latter on his List A debut.
Jack Leaning won the toss and decided to field and when he caught Keaton Jennings at second slip for one with the total on 15 the decision, at that point, seemed as though it might be a good one. However, that was the highlight of the Kent bowling performance as from then on all the bowlers were put to the sword.
George Bell, 71 from 97 balls with seven fours, and Josh Bohannon, a faultless 105 from 117 balls with four fours and four sixes, added 112 for the second wicket before Dane Vilas, a quick-fire 51 from 37 balls with five fours and two sixes, and George Balderston, an even quicker 57 from 28 balls with five fours and four sixes, helped to take Lancashire to an impressive 328-5. Singh was the most successful Kent bowler with 3-74.
From Kent’s recent batting performances this looked likely to be a total beyond their reach … and so it proved. They lost Ben Compton early for four, and although Daniel Bell-Drummond battled hard for 80 minutes in making a top score of 38 with five fours, no other batsman survived anywhere near as long with Harry Finch’s 31 being the closest to his score.
Led by George Balderston, 4-52, his figures only ruined by some big hitting by the last-wicket pair, Singh 19 not out with two fours and one six, and Quinn 15 with a four and a six, the Lancashire bowlers whittled their way through the Kent batting. Indeed 148-4 became 166-9 in the space of 18 balls before Tom Aspinwall took his first List A wicket when he had Quinn caught by Blatherwick and Kent were all out for 203 in 39.4 overs.
On a sun-kissed day and watched by a very healthy crowd, Lancashire’s victory took them to second place in the table on net run rate behind Nottinghamshire who lead Group A by one point.
Jack Leaning won the toss and decided to field and when he caught Keaton Jennings at second slip for one with the total on 15 the decision, at that point, seemed as though it might be a good one. However, that was the highlight of the Kent bowling performance as from then on all the bowlers were put to the sword.
George Bell, 71 from 97 balls with seven fours, and Josh Bohannon, a faultless 105 from 117 balls with four fours and four sixes, added 112 for the second wicket before Dane Vilas, a quick-fire 51 from 37 balls with five fours and two sixes, and George Balderston, an even quicker 57 from 28 balls with five fours and four sixes, helped to take Lancashire to an impressive 328-5. Singh was the most successful Kent bowler with 3-74.
From Kent’s recent batting performances this looked likely to be a total beyond their reach … and so it proved. They lost Ben Compton early for four, and although Daniel Bell-Drummond battled hard for 80 minutes in making a top score of 38 with five fours, no other batsman survived anywhere near as long with Harry Finch’s 31 being the closest to his score.
Led by George Balderston, 4-52, his figures only ruined by some big hitting by the last-wicket pair, Singh 19 not out with two fours and one six, and Quinn 15 with a four and a six, the Lancashire bowlers whittled their way through the Kent batting. Indeed 148-4 became 166-9 in the space of 18 balls before Tom Aspinwall took his first List A wicket when he had Quinn caught by Blatherwick and Kent were all out for 203 in 39.4 overs.
On a sun-kissed day and watched by a very healthy crowd, Lancashire’s victory took them to second place in the table on net run rate behind Nottinghamshire who lead Group A by one point.
July 18, 2023
Essex Provide High Drama at Blackpool
Essex 282 and 292-8 dec, Lancashire 145 and 383
Lawrence of Arabia is perhaps the best known individual of that name and during his career he was often the hero of the day. But it was Dan of that ilk who was the hero of the day and took the plaudits at Blackpool’s Stanley Park last week. Lawrence of Essex not only struck a magnificent 135 in the Essex second innings, striking eight fours and nine sixes, but he held the match-winning catch at leg slip with just 10 balls remaining to win the game for his county.
The first day, 10 July, was bathed in sunshine in the early morning but by 11am clouds were building up and there was only time for 4.1 overs before the rain came. Just enough time, it should be said for Nick Browne to lose his wicket to the fourth ball of the game, caught by Colin de Grandhomme at a wide fourth slip before he had scored. Sir Alastair Cook had opened his account with one of his trademark shots, a square cut through point that raced to the boundary and with the country’s then leading runscorer Tom Westley striking two boundaries, it was 12-1. And an unlikely restart in the gloom at 5.30pm produced just three balls before bad light, followed almost immediately by more rain ended play for the day.
On the morning of the second day Blackpool chairman David Cresswell was to comment, ‘It is absolutely amazing how after the almost Biblical amounts of rain we have had over the past three days that play should start on time today.’ And it was, for the groundsman and his crew had done a marvellous job and there was a full day’s play on a sunny but a rather cool and very windy day.
And the day belonged to Westley who made 135 in 325 minutes with 18 fours. He was ably assisted by Paul Walter, 76 in 156 minutes with four fours and three sixes, and the pair put on a ground record for a visiting team, 155 for the fifth wicket, overtaking the 152 added by Peter Kirsten and Kim Barnett for Derbyshire in 1981. The end result was Essex were all out for 282 in 92.2 overs. For Lancashire Tom Bailey took 5-59 and Will Williams 3-71 with Walters’ 76 being his top score of the season.
There was just time for Luke Wells to emulate Browne’s brief knock, bowled by Jamie Porter from the fourth ball of the innings before Lancashire closed on 37-1, Keaton Jennings on 12 and Josh Bohannon on 20.
After a 45-minute delay due to overnight rain, the third day belonged entirely to Essex who whittled their way through the Lancashire batting in 44.4 overs as the red rose boys were dismissed for a modest 145. Bohannon’s 44 and Phil Salt’s 35 not out were the main contributors as Sam Cook took 4-42 and Walter 3-20, his first championship wickets of the season; there was a wicket each for Porter and Doug Bracewell for 38 and 24 runs respectively.
The Essex lead of 137 had not been extended when both openers were dismissed, Browne from his third ball when he fell leg before wicket to Bailey and Alistair Cook from his second when he cut Williams straight to Vilas at point. Westley only made five but then came a 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Lawrence and Matt Critchley before Tom Hartley bowled the latter for 40 to make it 122-4.
In partnership with Lawrence, Walter was threatening to repeat his first innings’ effort when Bohannon held a fine catch leaning almost over the boundary at long on and Walter was gone for 24, with two fours and one six, at 165-5. Two quick wickets then went down for 21 runs and then the carnage began as all the Lancashire bowlers were put to the sword.
In company with a belligerent Bracewell, Lawrence set about the bowling with gusto and the pair added a visiting team ground record 106 for the eighth wicket. There was nothing the Lancashire bowlers could do to stop it and even with nine fielders round the boundary the ball continually defeated them. Indeed the last five overs the pair were together they added an incredible 90 runs!
The onslaught ended when Lawrence, from the final over of the day, struck Wells to long-off for what would have been another six had not Jennings been stationed there to take the catch. He had made 135 from 125 balls in 205 minutes and with Bracewell 61 not out from 35 balls in 34 minutes with five fours and four sixes, Essex closed on 292-8. Bailey again was Lancashire’s most successful bowler with 3-71.
Essex declared overnight, setting Lancashire a massive 430 for victory in 96 overs. And they made a positive start, Jennings and Wells putting on 58 in 15.5 overs before the former was well caught by a diving Will Buttleman for 30. Bohannon joined Wells and continued the attack, taking the total to 155 from 34.1 overs before the latter, dropped at short leg when he had made 24, was caught by the same fielder off Critchley for 75 with 11 fours and two sixes, made in 110 minutes from 126 balls.
Vilas unfortunately completed a pair before Porter caught Bohannon in the deep off Walter for 68. Rob Jones and Salt then continued the chase and put Lancashire in a strong position with a partnership of 85 in 22.4 overs but at 279 the fifth wicket was lost when Salt, 41, was caught at backward square leg by Sam Cook. At that point there were still 30.5 overs remaining and with Lancashire requiring a further 151 runs and Essex five wickets, the game was still in the balance.
Jones, who was dropped by Browne at short leg on 49, was going strong and with de Grandhomme as his partner the total advanced to 294 before the New Zealander was caught at fine leg by Porter off Walter for nine. Jones and Hartley kept the momentum going until Hartley, 17, edged Sam Cook to slip to make it 359-7.
Jack Blatherwick perished quickly, caught and bowled by Porter for one to make it 360-8 but Bailey, a more than useful lower order batsman, stayed put while Jones ran to a superb century from 149 balls with 11 fours and one six. By now Lancashire were playing for a draw and the Essex field had closed in significantly.
On seven Bailey skied what appeared to be a sitter to Walter at mid-on but he inexplicably dropped it but it was not costly for two balls later in trying to cut a ball it flew down to third man where Simon Harmer took an excellent diving catch and he was gone for eight.
Last man Will Williams was protected to a degree by Jones but even so he managed to keep out, quite comfortably, 17 balls and with Jones stealing a single from the final ball of the 94th over, it looked odds on a draw … but no! He resisted the first ball but the second went down the leg side and, unwisely as it turned out, Jones tried a leg glance off Bracewell but only succeeded it feathering it to Lawrence who took a nice clean catch; Jones had gone after battling for 241 minutes, 170 balls, for a fine 111 and the game was won and lost. For Essex, Bracewell had 3-50 and Critchley 3-70.
The celebrations began with the Essex players hugging one another in their delight before handshakes all round ended a thoroughly sporting contest on a sporting wicket that had produced just over 1100 runs.
Despite the bracing weather, there had been good crowds on three days and as chairman Cresswell commented, ‘There is nothing better than seeing Stanley Park with a healthy crowd on and, despite the weather spoiling the first day, the hosting of the match has been a huge success.’ He stressed that it had taken plenty of effort from volunteers and committee men as ‘even little jobs take time and effort’, adding ‘The investment in upgrading the drainage was well worth the money spent and this was much appreciated by Lancashire. We look forward to their return on 9 August when Kent Spitfires will be the visitors.’
Lawrence of Arabia is perhaps the best known individual of that name and during his career he was often the hero of the day. But it was Dan of that ilk who was the hero of the day and took the plaudits at Blackpool’s Stanley Park last week. Lawrence of Essex not only struck a magnificent 135 in the Essex second innings, striking eight fours and nine sixes, but he held the match-winning catch at leg slip with just 10 balls remaining to win the game for his county.
The first day, 10 July, was bathed in sunshine in the early morning but by 11am clouds were building up and there was only time for 4.1 overs before the rain came. Just enough time, it should be said for Nick Browne to lose his wicket to the fourth ball of the game, caught by Colin de Grandhomme at a wide fourth slip before he had scored. Sir Alastair Cook had opened his account with one of his trademark shots, a square cut through point that raced to the boundary and with the country’s then leading runscorer Tom Westley striking two boundaries, it was 12-1. And an unlikely restart in the gloom at 5.30pm produced just three balls before bad light, followed almost immediately by more rain ended play for the day.
On the morning of the second day Blackpool chairman David Cresswell was to comment, ‘It is absolutely amazing how after the almost Biblical amounts of rain we have had over the past three days that play should start on time today.’ And it was, for the groundsman and his crew had done a marvellous job and there was a full day’s play on a sunny but a rather cool and very windy day.
And the day belonged to Westley who made 135 in 325 minutes with 18 fours. He was ably assisted by Paul Walter, 76 in 156 minutes with four fours and three sixes, and the pair put on a ground record for a visiting team, 155 for the fifth wicket, overtaking the 152 added by Peter Kirsten and Kim Barnett for Derbyshire in 1981. The end result was Essex were all out for 282 in 92.2 overs. For Lancashire Tom Bailey took 5-59 and Will Williams 3-71 with Walters’ 76 being his top score of the season.
There was just time for Luke Wells to emulate Browne’s brief knock, bowled by Jamie Porter from the fourth ball of the innings before Lancashire closed on 37-1, Keaton Jennings on 12 and Josh Bohannon on 20.
After a 45-minute delay due to overnight rain, the third day belonged entirely to Essex who whittled their way through the Lancashire batting in 44.4 overs as the red rose boys were dismissed for a modest 145. Bohannon’s 44 and Phil Salt’s 35 not out were the main contributors as Sam Cook took 4-42 and Walter 3-20, his first championship wickets of the season; there was a wicket each for Porter and Doug Bracewell for 38 and 24 runs respectively.
The Essex lead of 137 had not been extended when both openers were dismissed, Browne from his third ball when he fell leg before wicket to Bailey and Alistair Cook from his second when he cut Williams straight to Vilas at point. Westley only made five but then came a 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Lawrence and Matt Critchley before Tom Hartley bowled the latter for 40 to make it 122-4.
In partnership with Lawrence, Walter was threatening to repeat his first innings’ effort when Bohannon held a fine catch leaning almost over the boundary at long on and Walter was gone for 24, with two fours and one six, at 165-5. Two quick wickets then went down for 21 runs and then the carnage began as all the Lancashire bowlers were put to the sword.
In company with a belligerent Bracewell, Lawrence set about the bowling with gusto and the pair added a visiting team ground record 106 for the eighth wicket. There was nothing the Lancashire bowlers could do to stop it and even with nine fielders round the boundary the ball continually defeated them. Indeed the last five overs the pair were together they added an incredible 90 runs!
The onslaught ended when Lawrence, from the final over of the day, struck Wells to long-off for what would have been another six had not Jennings been stationed there to take the catch. He had made 135 from 125 balls in 205 minutes and with Bracewell 61 not out from 35 balls in 34 minutes with five fours and four sixes, Essex closed on 292-8. Bailey again was Lancashire’s most successful bowler with 3-71.
Essex declared overnight, setting Lancashire a massive 430 for victory in 96 overs. And they made a positive start, Jennings and Wells putting on 58 in 15.5 overs before the former was well caught by a diving Will Buttleman for 30. Bohannon joined Wells and continued the attack, taking the total to 155 from 34.1 overs before the latter, dropped at short leg when he had made 24, was caught by the same fielder off Critchley for 75 with 11 fours and two sixes, made in 110 minutes from 126 balls.
Vilas unfortunately completed a pair before Porter caught Bohannon in the deep off Walter for 68. Rob Jones and Salt then continued the chase and put Lancashire in a strong position with a partnership of 85 in 22.4 overs but at 279 the fifth wicket was lost when Salt, 41, was caught at backward square leg by Sam Cook. At that point there were still 30.5 overs remaining and with Lancashire requiring a further 151 runs and Essex five wickets, the game was still in the balance.
Jones, who was dropped by Browne at short leg on 49, was going strong and with de Grandhomme as his partner the total advanced to 294 before the New Zealander was caught at fine leg by Porter off Walter for nine. Jones and Hartley kept the momentum going until Hartley, 17, edged Sam Cook to slip to make it 359-7.
Jack Blatherwick perished quickly, caught and bowled by Porter for one to make it 360-8 but Bailey, a more than useful lower order batsman, stayed put while Jones ran to a superb century from 149 balls with 11 fours and one six. By now Lancashire were playing for a draw and the Essex field had closed in significantly.
On seven Bailey skied what appeared to be a sitter to Walter at mid-on but he inexplicably dropped it but it was not costly for two balls later in trying to cut a ball it flew down to third man where Simon Harmer took an excellent diving catch and he was gone for eight.
Last man Will Williams was protected to a degree by Jones but even so he managed to keep out, quite comfortably, 17 balls and with Jones stealing a single from the final ball of the 94th over, it looked odds on a draw … but no! He resisted the first ball but the second went down the leg side and, unwisely as it turned out, Jones tried a leg glance off Bracewell but only succeeded it feathering it to Lawrence who took a nice clean catch; Jones had gone after battling for 241 minutes, 170 balls, for a fine 111 and the game was won and lost. For Essex, Bracewell had 3-50 and Critchley 3-70.
The celebrations began with the Essex players hugging one another in their delight before handshakes all round ended a thoroughly sporting contest on a sporting wicket that had produced just over 1100 runs.
Despite the bracing weather, there had been good crowds on three days and as chairman Cresswell commented, ‘There is nothing better than seeing Stanley Park with a healthy crowd on and, despite the weather spoiling the first day, the hosting of the match has been a huge success.’ He stressed that it had taken plenty of effort from volunteers and committee men as ‘even little jobs take time and effort’, adding ‘The investment in upgrading the drainage was well worth the money spent and this was much appreciated by Lancashire. We look forward to their return on 9 August when Kent Spitfires will be the visitors.’
July 5, 2023
Essex return for a 10th visit to Stanley Park
Essex first visited Blackpool’s Stanley Park for a County Championship match in 1924 and have returned on eight occasions since. Lancashire won that first meeting and have won twice more since then so the results to date show Lancashire with three wins, Essex with two wins and four games drawn.
That first visit in 1924 was just one year before the ground was named Stanley Park and in a low scoring, but close, contest, Lancashire came out on top by 35 runs. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Lancashire lost cheap wickets early but Harry Makepeace, opening the innings, held firm and made 100 out of the final total of 209 with Alfred Pewtress’ 35 being the next best effort. Claude Ashton and Johnny Douglas both took four wickets for Essex for 26 and 59 runs respectively.
In reply Essex made 180, mainly thanks in no small part to a 10th wicket partnership of 55 runs by skipper and top scorer Frank Gilligan, 33, and Laurie Eastman, 29 not out. Cecil Parkin and Dick Tyldesley both took four wickets with the former’s costing 80 runs and the latter’s 45 runs.
Charlie Hallows made 50 in Lancashire’s second knock that equalled the Essex effort of 180, Joe Hipkin, with his with slow left arm deliveries, taking 4-26. Needing 210 for victory, Jack O’Connor, 50, and Douglas, 45 not out, made every effort to take them to victory but Parkin prevailed and his 6-62, giving him match figures of 10-142, as Essex were dismissed for 174. It was Parkin’s second 10-wicket or more haul at the ground having taken 15-95 against Glamorgan the previous year.
It was a celebratory event when Essex returned in 1925 because it marked the opening of the new pavilion that had cost £4,500 to build and which was, along with the ground, to be the gift of Sir Lindsay Parkinson to the Blackpool club. Sir Edwin Stockton, Lancashire’s president, did the honours after which Percy Perrin won the toss, Essex batted after a rain delay and were dispatched for just 98 to which Jack Russell contributed exactly half, finishing 49 not out. All four Lancashire bowlers took wickets with Frank Watson the pick of the bunch with 4-26.
The inclement weather hung about for the three days and took chunks of play away so that only three innings got underway. Lancashire lost two wickets for three runs as Hallows and Don Davies both failed to score [the latter was one of the journalists to lose his life at the Manchester United 1958 Munich air disaster] but 58 not out from skipper Jack Sharp enabled him to declare at 203-7 with Eastman taking 4-45. But rain prevailed and Essex meandered to 184-7 from 110 overs as the match petered out to a draw.
Essex returned again in August 1930 with Lancashire on their way to their sixth County Championship title and their fourth in the previous five years. After Peter Eckersley won the toss, Lancashire batted and on the back of 72 by Watson and a career-best 54 by number nine Frank Booth totalled 308 all out with Ken Farnes taking 4-51 from 29 testing overs.
The Essex reply owed much to opener Dudley Pope, 45, and number 10 Peter Smith, 49, as they fell 109 runs behind Lancashire with 199 all out with Dick Tyldesley taking 5-54. Second time around only Eddie Paynter [who played a couple of games for Blackpool in the early 1920s before returning home due to ‘home sickness’] with 63 made much headway against Smith’s leg breaks and googlies that earned him 5-28 and reduced Lancashire to 176 all out.
Needing 285 for victory, Essex fell well short but without Jimmy Cutmore, who scored 69.37% of their total, they would have lost by more than the 174-run deficit that they finished with. Cutmore with 77 was the only double figure scorer of the innings as the other 10 batsmen managed only 30 runs between them so that Essex were dismissed for 111. Ted McDonald was the most successful of the Lancashire bowlers with 4-26.
It was 1948 before Essex appeared in Blackpool once more and again rain interfered badly with play so much that only two innings were completed. In what play was possible, batsmen reigned supreme and it all began with Dickie Dodds scoring 51 out of an Essex opening partnership of 76. Thereafter his partner Sonny Avery was run out for 146 made in 315 minutes and with Tom Pearce making 137 and Trevor Bailey 60 not out, Essex were able to declare at 478-7 on the second day. Avery and Pearce put on a visiting club ground record 147 for the fifth wicket while Pearce and Bailey added a championship ground record 111 for the sixth wicket [the Indian tourists put on 113 in 1959.]
Lancashire replied with 494 all out with Winston Place making 176, Jack Ikin 99 and captain Ken Cranston 74 and a much delayed drawn game was dominated by the batsmen with Lancashire’s Dick Pollard, 3-145, Essex’s Ray Smith, 3-135, and Peter Smith’s 3-152, all conceding over 100 runs and Bailey and Cranston both conceding 87.
Ten years later in 1958 Essex were back at the seaside and even though it was towards the end of the holiday season in early September there was a good sized crowd there to see the action. On a Stanley Park wicket that in those days nearly always favoured the batsmen, Essex chose to bat and made 271 all out from 76.3 overs. Charles Williams top scored with 86 and there were 40s from Dodds, 45 and passing 1,000 runs for the season in the process, Gordon Barker, 48, and Doug Insole, 48, while Brian Statham took 4-53 and Malcolm Hilton 4-65.
Lancashire took a very modest first innings lead with 279-8 before declaring, with the bulk of the runs coming from their numbers two, three and four batsmen, Alan Wharton, 80, Geoff Pullar, 71, and Peter Marner, 67. The Essex bowlers, Bailey, 3-84, Alan Hurd, also 3-84, and Ken Preston, 2-74, shared the wickets as they bowled 58.3 of the 62.3 overs bowled.
Hilton 5-78, and Statham 3-15 reduced Essex to 157 all out second time around with only Barker, 41, and Michael Bear, 30 not out, making much impression. So with Lancashire requiring only 150 runs for victory, it looked odds on a red rose victory. But it was not to be because, despite 55 from skipper Cyril Washbrook no other batsman reached 20 and with Hurd, 6-60, and Bailey, 4-15, sharing the wickets Lancashire, in their 35th game at the ground, went down to only their second ever defeat at Stanley Park by 26 runs [Northamptonshire had been the first visiting team to taste success in 1957.]
Essex were back in 1960 and with skipper Doug Insole winning the toss, his side batted and it was Insole himself who, with the help of a certain ‘Barnacle’ Bailey led the way to a first day total of 334-9 from 120 overs. Insole made 105 and with Bailey, 82, put on 199 runs for the fourth wicket and this is still a ground record for that wicket for a visiting side. Ken Higgs was the most successful bowler with 6-60, including a late in the day hat-trick when he dismissed Micky Bear, Roy Ralph and Bertie Clarke and, being there, I can confirm that it was a relief after the lengthy Insole/Bailey stand.
Essex declared overnight and Lancashire took all the second day, 119 overs, to make 368-6 with Bob Barber making 97, Geoff Pullar 82, and Ken Grieves 52. It therefore all boiled down to a one-innings game on the last day. And after Essex had used 50.1 overs to make 228-7 declared, Lancashire went for the runs early on but once wickets began to fall, they shut up shop and the two Jacks, Bond, 33, and Dyson, five and batting down the order, held on at 157-8 from 43 overs.
It was a quick return to Stanley Park for Essex as they were back in 1961 when rain ruined the second day of the game but, after two early declarations, turned out fine again for Essex to snatch victory on the final day. Geoff Smith made 74 from the Essex first innings total of 252-8 declared and there was just time for Lancashire to reach 15 without loss before the close. They were only able to add 38 runs on the rain ruined second day and declared at 53-0 in order to try to force a result.
And a result there was but unfortunately it went in Essex’s favour. After they had declared at 59-2, Lancashire were set 259 for victory but the damp conditions suited Bill Greensmith’s leg break and googly bowling and he finished with an excellent 7-46 as only Roy Collins with 41 could make much headway as Lancashire were dismissed for 176 to lose by 82 runs.
Essex returned in 1963 and after Grieves won the toss, his side made a modest 187 all out with Bob Bennett, the future Lancashire chairman, top scoring with 44 as Preston took 5-54 for Essex. Resuming on their overnight 69-2, Essex went on to make 239 on the second day with Barker making 118 and Lancashire’s leg spinner Tommy Greenhough taking 6-60. Lancashire, 133-3, then took an 81-run lead by the close of the second day and went on to declare at 256-9 with Marner making 63 and Barry Knight taking 4-61. Requiring 205 for victory, Essex closed on 157-3, Barker once again in the runs, this time with 54 not out, and the match was drawn.
It was 17 years before Essex next appeared at Stanley Park and with the first day of the game washed out, without something spectacular happening there was never much chance of a positive result. And so it proved as Lancashire made 244 all out with skipper Frank Hayes making 41 and welcome runs from down the order from David Hughes, 32, and Paul Allott, 30 not out, as David Acfield wheeled away for 31.2 overs to take 4-72. And with 46 from Ken McEwan and 45 from Mike Denness, the latter in his final first-class match, Essex almost reached parity at 226 all out with Hughes taking 5-40. There was sufficient time remaining for Lancashire to score 152-3 with Andrew Kennedy making 92, before stumps and the match were drawn.
So Essex make their 10th visit to Stanley Park for next Monday’s LV= County Championship Division One game, which sees sixth-placed Lancashire, 87 points, take on second-placed Essex, 106 points. It should prove to be a fascinating contest and, weather permitting, good crowds are expected for all four days.
That first visit in 1924 was just one year before the ground was named Stanley Park and in a low scoring, but close, contest, Lancashire came out on top by 35 runs. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Lancashire lost cheap wickets early but Harry Makepeace, opening the innings, held firm and made 100 out of the final total of 209 with Alfred Pewtress’ 35 being the next best effort. Claude Ashton and Johnny Douglas both took four wickets for Essex for 26 and 59 runs respectively.
In reply Essex made 180, mainly thanks in no small part to a 10th wicket partnership of 55 runs by skipper and top scorer Frank Gilligan, 33, and Laurie Eastman, 29 not out. Cecil Parkin and Dick Tyldesley both took four wickets with the former’s costing 80 runs and the latter’s 45 runs.
Charlie Hallows made 50 in Lancashire’s second knock that equalled the Essex effort of 180, Joe Hipkin, with his with slow left arm deliveries, taking 4-26. Needing 210 for victory, Jack O’Connor, 50, and Douglas, 45 not out, made every effort to take them to victory but Parkin prevailed and his 6-62, giving him match figures of 10-142, as Essex were dismissed for 174. It was Parkin’s second 10-wicket or more haul at the ground having taken 15-95 against Glamorgan the previous year.
It was a celebratory event when Essex returned in 1925 because it marked the opening of the new pavilion that had cost £4,500 to build and which was, along with the ground, to be the gift of Sir Lindsay Parkinson to the Blackpool club. Sir Edwin Stockton, Lancashire’s president, did the honours after which Percy Perrin won the toss, Essex batted after a rain delay and were dispatched for just 98 to which Jack Russell contributed exactly half, finishing 49 not out. All four Lancashire bowlers took wickets with Frank Watson the pick of the bunch with 4-26.
The inclement weather hung about for the three days and took chunks of play away so that only three innings got underway. Lancashire lost two wickets for three runs as Hallows and Don Davies both failed to score [the latter was one of the journalists to lose his life at the Manchester United 1958 Munich air disaster] but 58 not out from skipper Jack Sharp enabled him to declare at 203-7 with Eastman taking 4-45. But rain prevailed and Essex meandered to 184-7 from 110 overs as the match petered out to a draw.
Essex returned again in August 1930 with Lancashire on their way to their sixth County Championship title and their fourth in the previous five years. After Peter Eckersley won the toss, Lancashire batted and on the back of 72 by Watson and a career-best 54 by number nine Frank Booth totalled 308 all out with Ken Farnes taking 4-51 from 29 testing overs.
The Essex reply owed much to opener Dudley Pope, 45, and number 10 Peter Smith, 49, as they fell 109 runs behind Lancashire with 199 all out with Dick Tyldesley taking 5-54. Second time around only Eddie Paynter [who played a couple of games for Blackpool in the early 1920s before returning home due to ‘home sickness’] with 63 made much headway against Smith’s leg breaks and googlies that earned him 5-28 and reduced Lancashire to 176 all out.
Needing 285 for victory, Essex fell well short but without Jimmy Cutmore, who scored 69.37% of their total, they would have lost by more than the 174-run deficit that they finished with. Cutmore with 77 was the only double figure scorer of the innings as the other 10 batsmen managed only 30 runs between them so that Essex were dismissed for 111. Ted McDonald was the most successful of the Lancashire bowlers with 4-26.
It was 1948 before Essex appeared in Blackpool once more and again rain interfered badly with play so much that only two innings were completed. In what play was possible, batsmen reigned supreme and it all began with Dickie Dodds scoring 51 out of an Essex opening partnership of 76. Thereafter his partner Sonny Avery was run out for 146 made in 315 minutes and with Tom Pearce making 137 and Trevor Bailey 60 not out, Essex were able to declare at 478-7 on the second day. Avery and Pearce put on a visiting club ground record 147 for the fifth wicket while Pearce and Bailey added a championship ground record 111 for the sixth wicket [the Indian tourists put on 113 in 1959.]
Lancashire replied with 494 all out with Winston Place making 176, Jack Ikin 99 and captain Ken Cranston 74 and a much delayed drawn game was dominated by the batsmen with Lancashire’s Dick Pollard, 3-145, Essex’s Ray Smith, 3-135, and Peter Smith’s 3-152, all conceding over 100 runs and Bailey and Cranston both conceding 87.
Ten years later in 1958 Essex were back at the seaside and even though it was towards the end of the holiday season in early September there was a good sized crowd there to see the action. On a Stanley Park wicket that in those days nearly always favoured the batsmen, Essex chose to bat and made 271 all out from 76.3 overs. Charles Williams top scored with 86 and there were 40s from Dodds, 45 and passing 1,000 runs for the season in the process, Gordon Barker, 48, and Doug Insole, 48, while Brian Statham took 4-53 and Malcolm Hilton 4-65.
Lancashire took a very modest first innings lead with 279-8 before declaring, with the bulk of the runs coming from their numbers two, three and four batsmen, Alan Wharton, 80, Geoff Pullar, 71, and Peter Marner, 67. The Essex bowlers, Bailey, 3-84, Alan Hurd, also 3-84, and Ken Preston, 2-74, shared the wickets as they bowled 58.3 of the 62.3 overs bowled.
Hilton 5-78, and Statham 3-15 reduced Essex to 157 all out second time around with only Barker, 41, and Michael Bear, 30 not out, making much impression. So with Lancashire requiring only 150 runs for victory, it looked odds on a red rose victory. But it was not to be because, despite 55 from skipper Cyril Washbrook no other batsman reached 20 and with Hurd, 6-60, and Bailey, 4-15, sharing the wickets Lancashire, in their 35th game at the ground, went down to only their second ever defeat at Stanley Park by 26 runs [Northamptonshire had been the first visiting team to taste success in 1957.]
Essex were back in 1960 and with skipper Doug Insole winning the toss, his side batted and it was Insole himself who, with the help of a certain ‘Barnacle’ Bailey led the way to a first day total of 334-9 from 120 overs. Insole made 105 and with Bailey, 82, put on 199 runs for the fourth wicket and this is still a ground record for that wicket for a visiting side. Ken Higgs was the most successful bowler with 6-60, including a late in the day hat-trick when he dismissed Micky Bear, Roy Ralph and Bertie Clarke and, being there, I can confirm that it was a relief after the lengthy Insole/Bailey stand.
Essex declared overnight and Lancashire took all the second day, 119 overs, to make 368-6 with Bob Barber making 97, Geoff Pullar 82, and Ken Grieves 52. It therefore all boiled down to a one-innings game on the last day. And after Essex had used 50.1 overs to make 228-7 declared, Lancashire went for the runs early on but once wickets began to fall, they shut up shop and the two Jacks, Bond, 33, and Dyson, five and batting down the order, held on at 157-8 from 43 overs.
It was a quick return to Stanley Park for Essex as they were back in 1961 when rain ruined the second day of the game but, after two early declarations, turned out fine again for Essex to snatch victory on the final day. Geoff Smith made 74 from the Essex first innings total of 252-8 declared and there was just time for Lancashire to reach 15 without loss before the close. They were only able to add 38 runs on the rain ruined second day and declared at 53-0 in order to try to force a result.
And a result there was but unfortunately it went in Essex’s favour. After they had declared at 59-2, Lancashire were set 259 for victory but the damp conditions suited Bill Greensmith’s leg break and googly bowling and he finished with an excellent 7-46 as only Roy Collins with 41 could make much headway as Lancashire were dismissed for 176 to lose by 82 runs.
Essex returned in 1963 and after Grieves won the toss, his side made a modest 187 all out with Bob Bennett, the future Lancashire chairman, top scoring with 44 as Preston took 5-54 for Essex. Resuming on their overnight 69-2, Essex went on to make 239 on the second day with Barker making 118 and Lancashire’s leg spinner Tommy Greenhough taking 6-60. Lancashire, 133-3, then took an 81-run lead by the close of the second day and went on to declare at 256-9 with Marner making 63 and Barry Knight taking 4-61. Requiring 205 for victory, Essex closed on 157-3, Barker once again in the runs, this time with 54 not out, and the match was drawn.
It was 17 years before Essex next appeared at Stanley Park and with the first day of the game washed out, without something spectacular happening there was never much chance of a positive result. And so it proved as Lancashire made 244 all out with skipper Frank Hayes making 41 and welcome runs from down the order from David Hughes, 32, and Paul Allott, 30 not out, as David Acfield wheeled away for 31.2 overs to take 4-72. And with 46 from Ken McEwan and 45 from Mike Denness, the latter in his final first-class match, Essex almost reached parity at 226 all out with Hughes taking 5-40. There was sufficient time remaining for Lancashire to score 152-3 with Andrew Kennedy making 92, before stumps and the match were drawn.
So Essex make their 10th visit to Stanley Park for next Monday’s LV= County Championship Division One game, which sees sixth-placed Lancashire, 87 points, take on second-placed Essex, 106 points. It should prove to be a fascinating contest and, weather permitting, good crowds are expected for all four days.
July 2, 2023
Mighty Max!
Maxwell Stewart Thompson 1956 - 2023
Max Thompson was born in Liverpool on 31 December 1956 and joined Liverpool as a 15-year-old apprentice, playing in central defence in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, before signing as a professional in January 1974. He became Liverpool’s youngest ever debutant at 17 years 129 days when Bill Shankley picked him for the one League game he played for the club, at centre forward against Tottenham Hotspur in the final game of the 1973/74 season; his record stood until May 2010 when it went to Jack Robinson who played as a 16-year-old. He did play one other first team game in the EUFA Cup side and was a regular member of the championship winning reserve side. And he spent the summer of 1977 playing in America in the North American Soccer League with Dallas Tornadoes, playing 21 games and scoring two goals.
Max also operated as a central defender and it was in that position that he was signed by Blackpool on a month’s loan from Liverpool on 30 December 1977. He had decided to accept the offer in the hope of playing first team football.
He made his Blackpool debut at full back for the Central League side against Preston North End reserves on 31 December 1977 when late in the game he ‘overlapped on the right to put the North End defence in a fix before they cleared’ as the game was drawn 1-1. Coach Derek Armstrong later commented that he was ’highly impressed’ with his performance.
In late January 1978, Blackpool manager Allan Brown was faced with a dilemma because although he wanted to sign Thompson he was concerned that Liverpool might put too high a fee on him. Brown had approached Liverpool manager Bob Paisley but he would not divulge any fee and had been sending his scouts to watch Thompson so that he could get the valuation right! The loan was extended while the two clubs deliberated about an agreed fee.
In the meantime, he made his League debut for Blackpool against Charlton Athletic on 14 January 1978 when Blackpool won 5-1 and he made ‘a notable debut at right back’ in that he was ‘well controlled, strong and classy and got into the opponents’ box more times than any full back since Dave Hatton’s reign’ as Blackpool ’overwhelmed Charlton who hardly managed a fiery attack’.
He kept his place for five games and in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 11 February 1978, he and Stan McEwan ‘marshalled a fine defence’ as Blackpool drew 2-2. And, his loan having been extended once more, the question was being asked ‘What price Max?’ because by then there was competition from other clubs who wanted to sign the Liverpool reserve. But in the game against Cardiff City on 25 February 1978 he crashed into a barrier and had to leave the field as Blackpool lost 2-1. He was out of the side for three games.
The transfer issue was settled when Blackpool eventually signed him on 8 March 1978 for a then club record fee of £80,000 as the Blackpool management felt that he would make a big impact as a centre half and that he would form a good partnership with either Stan McEwan or Peter Suddaby. Blackpool’s caretaker manager Jimmy Meadow’s view was ‘Thompson has flair and skill and is a valuable asset and the fee was fair.’ Meadows had been appointed following the sacking of Allan Brown, and he immediately had a dilemma as apparently Liverpool had agreed to Thompson playing in America again in the 1978 close season so Blackpool honoured the deal, albeit begrudgingly for Meadows said that deals with American clubs generally caused problems for their English counterparts. Meadows commented, ‘I didn’t want Max to go and he will not be going next year.’
Max returned to the League side for a 2-1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers on 25 March 1978 but in the following match against Sunderland, a 1-1 draw, he injured his hamstring and was sidelined once again.
Fit again and returning to the League side once more as substitute against Millwall on 15 April 1978, he had to replace an injured Alan Ainscow after just half-an-hour and rather than disturb the defence he was played up front as Blackpool lost 2-0.
The view in April 1978 just before the end of the season was ‘The club has four cracking defenders in Peter Suddaby, Maxie Thompson, Stan McEwan and Brian Wilson. But someone has to have the guts to pick two of them and stick to their guns, and have the other two competing for places, and not shift one of them from right back to the left wing in a vain attempt to keep everyone happy.’ Max finished the 1977/78 season having played 11 League games and made one substitute appearance.
In the 1978/79 pre-season he scored his first goal for the club in a friendly game against Fort Lauderdale Strikers on 7 August 1978 when Blackpool won 3-2.
Relegated to Division three, Blackpool appointed Bob Stokoe for a second spell at the club and the manager was upset in August 1978 because there was a hold-up in Thompson being released to return to play in England after his summer playing for Dallas Tornadoes in the North American Soccer League, where he scored two goals in 22 games.
Dallas did not immediately sign the release papers and Blackpool were pressing them as late as 14 August 1978 to do so. Even though Thompson was under contract to Blackpool who now held his registration, he could not play until the release had been signed. Stokoe said, ‘It is not for me to comment on the system that applies in such transfers, but we need Maxie and I hope we sort this one out so that I can have 13 men to pick from on Wednesday.’ In the event he was not available for the Wednesday game, a League Cup second leg tie against Carlisle United.
When he did return to England he had a knee injury that had to be treated and then Blackpool had to rush through clearance so that he was available to play for the club immediately. In the event, he was finally available for the first League game of the season on 19 August 1978 when Blackpool defeated Oxford United 1-0 and his ‘return gave the side more balance’. He was injured in the second half and because Blackpool had by then used their substitute he had to limp on in the attack.
Sadly as Blackpool lost the second League game of the season 5-1 to Watford on 22 August 1978 ‘Paul Gardner and Max Thompson looked lost at the buzzing going on past them.’ But the pair recovered and formed a steady full back partnership for the opening 16 games of the season.
And Max was back to good form in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in a third round League Cup tie on 4 October 1978 ‘there was no doubt who was the king in defence’, it was Thompson ‘whose timing of tackles was as exquisite as his distribution and who looked, if he can keep his concentration in lesser matches, as if he is going to be one of the most cultured players the club has had’.
He scored his first League goal for Blackpool in a 2-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers on 26 December 1978 although there was some confusion for all the following day’s newspapers credited it as an own goal when Thompson’s shot was deflected into the net. However Blackpool and The Football League both credited the goal to Thompson.
Although he was a first team regular, apart from minor injury problems, in early March 1979 Swansea Town were said to be interested in signing him. Player-manager John Toshack was a former Liverpool colleague of his and was looking for an experienced sweeper whose qualities he was well aware of but obviously Blackpool were not prepared to listen to any offers.
In early April 1979 he was waiting agonisingly to know whether he would need a cartilage operation following a recent injury. He was disappointed with the season to that date for, after Dallas Tornadoes had played him in matches when injured and then given him treatment to play the following game without a rest, he had returned to England carrying the injury. However he overcame this to miss only seven games through injury and suspension but, after missing a few games, he did comment, ‘I just feel like I’ve never been able to get going this season.’ He returned to action on 13 April in a 4-2 defeat by Chester and remained in the side for the rest of the season.
In that game against Chester he scored Blackpool’s equaliser at 1-1 when ‘the ball ran loose and he fired his shot into the roof of the net’, had a penalty given against him that virtually settled the result, and earned a booking for protesting against the decision. The incident occurred when ‘Thompson, who had got away with a number of nudges against the awkward Ian Edwards, this time was blatantly pushed by the Chester and Wales striker. As he fell back he caught the ball, obviously expecting a free kick. Referee Ken Baker, who could have refereed the game from the bath for all the control he had, only saw the handball and that was that.’ He finished the1978/79 season having played 38 League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and three League Cup ties.
He was ‘clobbered by Rochdale’s Alan Weir’ in a 1-0 League Cup victory on 11 August 1979. He went to hospital for an X-ray but fortunately there was no fracture of the shin. There was deep bruising and he was undergoing treatment in order to be fit for the opening of the League season. And he was fit for the start of the 1979/80 campaign and took his place in the side against Gillingham on 18 August 1979 when Blackpool won 2-1.
In mid-August 1979 he turned down the early offer of a new contract when his current one was to expire at the end of June 1980. He had by then attracted interest again from Swansea Town.
He was ‘pushed up front in an attempt to get Blackpool going’ against Peterborough United in the League Cup on 5 September 1979 and although he ‘got round the back [and] sent over the best cross of the night, Kellow jumping well planted his header wide of the gaping goal’ as Blackpool lost 1-0. But he aggravated an injury sustained and was obliged to miss five games.
He made his comeback in the Central League side against West Bromwich Albion reserves on 29 September 1979 and he scored one of Blackpool’s goals when he ‘forced a corner kick from the left over the line’ in a 3-3 draw.
When asked about his original move to Blackpool he commented in September 1979, ‘I had been in the reserve side at Liverpool for several seasons and felt I wasn’t getting anywhere. I had heard so much about what it was like to play in The Football League that I wanted to try it for myself, and now know how hard it is. My main ambition is to help get Blackpool out of the Third Division. I know we could have had a better start, but there is a long way to go yet and as long as we learn by our mistakes I think we will go up.’
There was speculation at the end of September 1979 that Blackpool were looking to replace Peter Suddaby, the 10-year veteran, with a younger man. One suggestion was that Blackpool should sell Max Thompson for £150,000 and put John May in the side. But another caretaker manager (until permanently appointed) Stan Ternent still considered Suddaby the best defender on the club’s books. He commented, ‘I have one or two lads in mind in defensive positions but I can only reaffirm my view that I am happy with the squad until such time as it is evident that we need strengthening. I don’t think the time has come yet.’
He returned to League action in a 3-2 defeat by Sheffield United on 3 October and then in a 2-1 defeat by Bury on 10 October 1979 Ternent said he was ‘the only player who played anything like his true form’.
But by 3 November 1979, after Blackpool had won only one of the seven games since his return, he was out of favour and made an appearance for the Central League side against Burnley reserves when Blackpool won the game 1-0. He became unsettled having been left out of the League side but after the club went two further games without a win, he was back in the side against Sheffield Wednesday on 10 November 1979. And he was ’superb’, although he was booked for a trip in the 76th minute, as the game was drawn 1-1.
He continued to show good form, which prompted Ternent to comment, ’The best of Maxie is yet to come.’ This comment followed his two games at centre half, the first time since he signed for the club that he had played two consecutive games in his natural position. He finished the season having played 22 League games plus making two substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie and four League Cup ties.
Blackpool retained his registration when he moved to Seattle Sounders in the United States of America in the summer of 1980. He went on an arrangement whereby there would be ‘a fee to be paid in cash or kind at a later date’. In fact Blackpool had allowed him to go on the understanding that Alan Hudson would be transferred to Blackpool from Seattle but Hudson vetoed such a move and thus Thompson agreed to return to Blackpool after the American season having played five games for Seattle.
But it was not all plain sailing for, in late August 1980, he was still playing in the play-off games in America but there was talk of him returning to Blackpool as cover for the then injured Ricky Sbragia and Jackie Ashurst. Manager Alan Ball commented, ‘We have talented youngsters on the books, but you have to think in terms of a long, hard season and Maxie may come in useful.’
And useful he certainly was for he made his comeback with Blackpool as a substitute, replacing the injured Paul Fletcher, against Walsall on 27 September 1980 when the game was drawn 2-2 before he was retained as a striker for his first League start of the 1980/81 season due poor form of others, an injury to Paul Fletcher and the departure of Ted MacDougall. It was against Sheffield United on 1 October 1980 and he played a great game, scoring both Blackpool’s goals in a 2-1 victory.
From then on he played a variety of positions, always giving of his all and he ended the 1980/81 season having played 21 League games plus making three substitute appearances, scoring five goals, and one FA Cup tie.
But it was to be his final season with Blackpool, for having made 109 appearances, scoring seven goals for the club, he was transferred to Swansea City for a fee of £40,000 on 26 August 1981. At the time Blackpool’s returning manager Allan Brown commented, ‘Max made it clear that he was not happy here so I told him to fix himself up. John Toshack [Swansea manager] said he would be interested if the price was right so I pressed ahead with the deal. I don’t want unhappy players here when I am developing a good team spirit.’
After playing 31 games and scoring two goals for Swansea he was transferred to AFC Bournemouth in August 1983 where, after playing two League games when on loan to Port Vale in November 1983, he played nine League games.
He returned to America between 1983, playing 39 games and scoring six goals for Baltimore Blast and he also had a spell with Portuguese side Associação Académica de Coimbra.
On return to England he played some non-league football, with Northwich Victoria in 1986, Caernarfon Town in 1987, Fleetwood in 1988, Newport County in 1988 and 1989 and Southport from 1989 to 1992. In between he had a brief spell with Swedish club Kramfors-Alliansen Fotboll.
Then, after taking a football injuries course at Lilleshall, he became physiotherapist at Southport, where he also performed the role of assistant-manager, and also physiotherapist at Liverpool with his final role in football being as manager for Knowsley United until they folded in 1997. Life after football saw him as an ambulance driver.
In almost 300 games for his many clubs, Max was a wholehearted player and never gave less than 100% and he will be sadly missed by family and friends after his early death at age 66 on 27 June 2023.
Max Thompson was born in Liverpool on 31 December 1956 and joined Liverpool as a 15-year-old apprentice, playing in central defence in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, before signing as a professional in January 1974. He became Liverpool’s youngest ever debutant at 17 years 129 days when Bill Shankley picked him for the one League game he played for the club, at centre forward against Tottenham Hotspur in the final game of the 1973/74 season; his record stood until May 2010 when it went to Jack Robinson who played as a 16-year-old. He did play one other first team game in the EUFA Cup side and was a regular member of the championship winning reserve side. And he spent the summer of 1977 playing in America in the North American Soccer League with Dallas Tornadoes, playing 21 games and scoring two goals.
Max also operated as a central defender and it was in that position that he was signed by Blackpool on a month’s loan from Liverpool on 30 December 1977. He had decided to accept the offer in the hope of playing first team football.
He made his Blackpool debut at full back for the Central League side against Preston North End reserves on 31 December 1977 when late in the game he ‘overlapped on the right to put the North End defence in a fix before they cleared’ as the game was drawn 1-1. Coach Derek Armstrong later commented that he was ’highly impressed’ with his performance.
In late January 1978, Blackpool manager Allan Brown was faced with a dilemma because although he wanted to sign Thompson he was concerned that Liverpool might put too high a fee on him. Brown had approached Liverpool manager Bob Paisley but he would not divulge any fee and had been sending his scouts to watch Thompson so that he could get the valuation right! The loan was extended while the two clubs deliberated about an agreed fee.
In the meantime, he made his League debut for Blackpool against Charlton Athletic on 14 January 1978 when Blackpool won 5-1 and he made ‘a notable debut at right back’ in that he was ‘well controlled, strong and classy and got into the opponents’ box more times than any full back since Dave Hatton’s reign’ as Blackpool ’overwhelmed Charlton who hardly managed a fiery attack’.
He kept his place for five games and in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 11 February 1978, he and Stan McEwan ‘marshalled a fine defence’ as Blackpool drew 2-2. And, his loan having been extended once more, the question was being asked ‘What price Max?’ because by then there was competition from other clubs who wanted to sign the Liverpool reserve. But in the game against Cardiff City on 25 February 1978 he crashed into a barrier and had to leave the field as Blackpool lost 2-1. He was out of the side for three games.
The transfer issue was settled when Blackpool eventually signed him on 8 March 1978 for a then club record fee of £80,000 as the Blackpool management felt that he would make a big impact as a centre half and that he would form a good partnership with either Stan McEwan or Peter Suddaby. Blackpool’s caretaker manager Jimmy Meadow’s view was ‘Thompson has flair and skill and is a valuable asset and the fee was fair.’ Meadows had been appointed following the sacking of Allan Brown, and he immediately had a dilemma as apparently Liverpool had agreed to Thompson playing in America again in the 1978 close season so Blackpool honoured the deal, albeit begrudgingly for Meadows said that deals with American clubs generally caused problems for their English counterparts. Meadows commented, ‘I didn’t want Max to go and he will not be going next year.’
Max returned to the League side for a 2-1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers on 25 March 1978 but in the following match against Sunderland, a 1-1 draw, he injured his hamstring and was sidelined once again.
Fit again and returning to the League side once more as substitute against Millwall on 15 April 1978, he had to replace an injured Alan Ainscow after just half-an-hour and rather than disturb the defence he was played up front as Blackpool lost 2-0.
The view in April 1978 just before the end of the season was ‘The club has four cracking defenders in Peter Suddaby, Maxie Thompson, Stan McEwan and Brian Wilson. But someone has to have the guts to pick two of them and stick to their guns, and have the other two competing for places, and not shift one of them from right back to the left wing in a vain attempt to keep everyone happy.’ Max finished the 1977/78 season having played 11 League games and made one substitute appearance.
In the 1978/79 pre-season he scored his first goal for the club in a friendly game against Fort Lauderdale Strikers on 7 August 1978 when Blackpool won 3-2.
Relegated to Division three, Blackpool appointed Bob Stokoe for a second spell at the club and the manager was upset in August 1978 because there was a hold-up in Thompson being released to return to play in England after his summer playing for Dallas Tornadoes in the North American Soccer League, where he scored two goals in 22 games.
Dallas did not immediately sign the release papers and Blackpool were pressing them as late as 14 August 1978 to do so. Even though Thompson was under contract to Blackpool who now held his registration, he could not play until the release had been signed. Stokoe said, ‘It is not for me to comment on the system that applies in such transfers, but we need Maxie and I hope we sort this one out so that I can have 13 men to pick from on Wednesday.’ In the event he was not available for the Wednesday game, a League Cup second leg tie against Carlisle United.
When he did return to England he had a knee injury that had to be treated and then Blackpool had to rush through clearance so that he was available to play for the club immediately. In the event, he was finally available for the first League game of the season on 19 August 1978 when Blackpool defeated Oxford United 1-0 and his ‘return gave the side more balance’. He was injured in the second half and because Blackpool had by then used their substitute he had to limp on in the attack.
Sadly as Blackpool lost the second League game of the season 5-1 to Watford on 22 August 1978 ‘Paul Gardner and Max Thompson looked lost at the buzzing going on past them.’ But the pair recovered and formed a steady full back partnership for the opening 16 games of the season.
And Max was back to good form in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in a third round League Cup tie on 4 October 1978 ‘there was no doubt who was the king in defence’, it was Thompson ‘whose timing of tackles was as exquisite as his distribution and who looked, if he can keep his concentration in lesser matches, as if he is going to be one of the most cultured players the club has had’.
He scored his first League goal for Blackpool in a 2-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers on 26 December 1978 although there was some confusion for all the following day’s newspapers credited it as an own goal when Thompson’s shot was deflected into the net. However Blackpool and The Football League both credited the goal to Thompson.
Although he was a first team regular, apart from minor injury problems, in early March 1979 Swansea Town were said to be interested in signing him. Player-manager John Toshack was a former Liverpool colleague of his and was looking for an experienced sweeper whose qualities he was well aware of but obviously Blackpool were not prepared to listen to any offers.
In early April 1979 he was waiting agonisingly to know whether he would need a cartilage operation following a recent injury. He was disappointed with the season to that date for, after Dallas Tornadoes had played him in matches when injured and then given him treatment to play the following game without a rest, he had returned to England carrying the injury. However he overcame this to miss only seven games through injury and suspension but, after missing a few games, he did comment, ‘I just feel like I’ve never been able to get going this season.’ He returned to action on 13 April in a 4-2 defeat by Chester and remained in the side for the rest of the season.
In that game against Chester he scored Blackpool’s equaliser at 1-1 when ‘the ball ran loose and he fired his shot into the roof of the net’, had a penalty given against him that virtually settled the result, and earned a booking for protesting against the decision. The incident occurred when ‘Thompson, who had got away with a number of nudges against the awkward Ian Edwards, this time was blatantly pushed by the Chester and Wales striker. As he fell back he caught the ball, obviously expecting a free kick. Referee Ken Baker, who could have refereed the game from the bath for all the control he had, only saw the handball and that was that.’ He finished the1978/79 season having played 38 League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and three League Cup ties.
He was ‘clobbered by Rochdale’s Alan Weir’ in a 1-0 League Cup victory on 11 August 1979. He went to hospital for an X-ray but fortunately there was no fracture of the shin. There was deep bruising and he was undergoing treatment in order to be fit for the opening of the League season. And he was fit for the start of the 1979/80 campaign and took his place in the side against Gillingham on 18 August 1979 when Blackpool won 2-1.
In mid-August 1979 he turned down the early offer of a new contract when his current one was to expire at the end of June 1980. He had by then attracted interest again from Swansea Town.
He was ‘pushed up front in an attempt to get Blackpool going’ against Peterborough United in the League Cup on 5 September 1979 and although he ‘got round the back [and] sent over the best cross of the night, Kellow jumping well planted his header wide of the gaping goal’ as Blackpool lost 1-0. But he aggravated an injury sustained and was obliged to miss five games.
He made his comeback in the Central League side against West Bromwich Albion reserves on 29 September 1979 and he scored one of Blackpool’s goals when he ‘forced a corner kick from the left over the line’ in a 3-3 draw.
When asked about his original move to Blackpool he commented in September 1979, ‘I had been in the reserve side at Liverpool for several seasons and felt I wasn’t getting anywhere. I had heard so much about what it was like to play in The Football League that I wanted to try it for myself, and now know how hard it is. My main ambition is to help get Blackpool out of the Third Division. I know we could have had a better start, but there is a long way to go yet and as long as we learn by our mistakes I think we will go up.’
There was speculation at the end of September 1979 that Blackpool were looking to replace Peter Suddaby, the 10-year veteran, with a younger man. One suggestion was that Blackpool should sell Max Thompson for £150,000 and put John May in the side. But another caretaker manager (until permanently appointed) Stan Ternent still considered Suddaby the best defender on the club’s books. He commented, ‘I have one or two lads in mind in defensive positions but I can only reaffirm my view that I am happy with the squad until such time as it is evident that we need strengthening. I don’t think the time has come yet.’
He returned to League action in a 3-2 defeat by Sheffield United on 3 October and then in a 2-1 defeat by Bury on 10 October 1979 Ternent said he was ‘the only player who played anything like his true form’.
But by 3 November 1979, after Blackpool had won only one of the seven games since his return, he was out of favour and made an appearance for the Central League side against Burnley reserves when Blackpool won the game 1-0. He became unsettled having been left out of the League side but after the club went two further games without a win, he was back in the side against Sheffield Wednesday on 10 November 1979. And he was ’superb’, although he was booked for a trip in the 76th minute, as the game was drawn 1-1.
He continued to show good form, which prompted Ternent to comment, ’The best of Maxie is yet to come.’ This comment followed his two games at centre half, the first time since he signed for the club that he had played two consecutive games in his natural position. He finished the season having played 22 League games plus making two substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie and four League Cup ties.
Blackpool retained his registration when he moved to Seattle Sounders in the United States of America in the summer of 1980. He went on an arrangement whereby there would be ‘a fee to be paid in cash or kind at a later date’. In fact Blackpool had allowed him to go on the understanding that Alan Hudson would be transferred to Blackpool from Seattle but Hudson vetoed such a move and thus Thompson agreed to return to Blackpool after the American season having played five games for Seattle.
But it was not all plain sailing for, in late August 1980, he was still playing in the play-off games in America but there was talk of him returning to Blackpool as cover for the then injured Ricky Sbragia and Jackie Ashurst. Manager Alan Ball commented, ‘We have talented youngsters on the books, but you have to think in terms of a long, hard season and Maxie may come in useful.’
And useful he certainly was for he made his comeback with Blackpool as a substitute, replacing the injured Paul Fletcher, against Walsall on 27 September 1980 when the game was drawn 2-2 before he was retained as a striker for his first League start of the 1980/81 season due poor form of others, an injury to Paul Fletcher and the departure of Ted MacDougall. It was against Sheffield United on 1 October 1980 and he played a great game, scoring both Blackpool’s goals in a 2-1 victory.
From then on he played a variety of positions, always giving of his all and he ended the 1980/81 season having played 21 League games plus making three substitute appearances, scoring five goals, and one FA Cup tie.
But it was to be his final season with Blackpool, for having made 109 appearances, scoring seven goals for the club, he was transferred to Swansea City for a fee of £40,000 on 26 August 1981. At the time Blackpool’s returning manager Allan Brown commented, ‘Max made it clear that he was not happy here so I told him to fix himself up. John Toshack [Swansea manager] said he would be interested if the price was right so I pressed ahead with the deal. I don’t want unhappy players here when I am developing a good team spirit.’
After playing 31 games and scoring two goals for Swansea he was transferred to AFC Bournemouth in August 1983 where, after playing two League games when on loan to Port Vale in November 1983, he played nine League games.
He returned to America between 1983, playing 39 games and scoring six goals for Baltimore Blast and he also had a spell with Portuguese side Associação Académica de Coimbra.
On return to England he played some non-league football, with Northwich Victoria in 1986, Caernarfon Town in 1987, Fleetwood in 1988, Newport County in 1988 and 1989 and Southport from 1989 to 1992. In between he had a brief spell with Swedish club Kramfors-Alliansen Fotboll.
Then, after taking a football injuries course at Lilleshall, he became physiotherapist at Southport, where he also performed the role of assistant-manager, and also physiotherapist at Liverpool with his final role in football being as manager for Knowsley United until they folded in 1997. Life after football saw him as an ambulance driver.
In almost 300 games for his many clubs, Max was a wholehearted player and never gave less than 100% and he will be sadly missed by family and friends after his early death at age 66 on 27 June 2023.
June 10, 2023
“Thunderbolts and Lightning very, very frightening”!
When Freddie Mercury sung the line “Thunderbolts and Lightning very, very frightening” when performing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, I don’t suppose he ever thought it would be associated with a cricket match! But it was most apt last Wednesday when Blackpool Cricket Club superbly hosted and administered a double-header for the two Lancashire teams, the ladies’ Lancashire Thunder and the Men’s Lancashire Lightning. Their opponents Northern Diamonds and Worcestershire Rapids respectively were both put to the sword, the former comprehensively, the latter in a tense final over.
Hollie Armitage won the toss and decided that Diamonds would bat and the first over produced two fours to Lauren Winfield-Hill. Little did Diamonds know but that was to be their most productive over their second most productive over of the game, the 11 runs from the sixth over being the only one to surpass it. And by then Diamonds had lost four wickets.
The wickets had begun to fall regularly and so they continued as Fi Morris, 2-16, Tara Norris, 2-19, and Mahika Gaur, 2-29, worked their way through the batting order while Olivia Bell’s off-spin, 3-9, helped finish the innings of with Liberty Heap’s throw to Dattani wrapping things up with a run out. Thus Diamonds posted a very modest 96 all out in 18.4 overs on a track that looked like it was full of runs.
Fourteen runs from the first over from Heap, 12, and Dattani, 20, set Thunder well on their way and with Morris making 42 not out from 34 balls with five fours, Diamonds could not stem the flow of runs. And it was all over after 15 overs as Lightning won by seven wickets at 97-3. Not only that, the victory ensured that Thunder would be competing in the play-off game against Southern Vipers at Worcester on 10 June.
As for the men, Lancashire Lightning fought a much tighter battle against Worcestershire Rapid after Liam Livingstone had won the toss and decided that Lightning would field first. And Worcestershire lived up to their name with a rapid start, skipper Brett D’Oliveira taking three fours from the second over. But the introduction of Colin de Grandomme into the attack put a stop to the merriment as he dismissed both openers.
Thereafter the spin of Tom Hartley and Luke Wells put the brakes on somewhat and when Daryl Mitchell was brought into the attack, he not only stemmed the flow of runs but took three wickets in the process to finish with a parsimonious 3-9. And with Adam Finch run out from the final ball of the innings, Rapids finished at 177-9 with Mitchell Santner’s 57 from 33 balls with four fours and four sixes, being the best effort, followed by Adam Hose’s 42 from 29 balls with two fours and three sixes. As for the fielding, on his home ground Steven Croft took three catches, including a superb overhead catch at long-off to dismiss Oliver Cox.
In reply, Lightning lost two early wickets, Phil Salt for five and Luke Wells for three but Joss Buttler was in dominant form and it was a surprise, as well as a disappointment to the healthy-sized crowd, when he edged the speedy Dillon Pennington to wicketkeeper Cox after he had made a sparkling 58 from 42 balls with five fours and three sixes.
It was also a disappointment when Croft was run out for 40 with four fours and two sixes after a mix-up with Mitchell but Livingstone entered and struck a 12-ball 23 to keep his side on track for victory. And with three balls remaining Mitchell, 33 not out from 14 balls, struck a mighty six over long-off to win the game for Lightning by four wickets at 181-6.
And that completed a thoroughly entertaining and successful day all round with the Lancashire men, returning to Stanley Park on 10 July for a four-day Division One LV=Insurance County Championship game … don’t miss it!
Hollie Armitage won the toss and decided that Diamonds would bat and the first over produced two fours to Lauren Winfield-Hill. Little did Diamonds know but that was to be their most productive over their second most productive over of the game, the 11 runs from the sixth over being the only one to surpass it. And by then Diamonds had lost four wickets.
The wickets had begun to fall regularly and so they continued as Fi Morris, 2-16, Tara Norris, 2-19, and Mahika Gaur, 2-29, worked their way through the batting order while Olivia Bell’s off-spin, 3-9, helped finish the innings of with Liberty Heap’s throw to Dattani wrapping things up with a run out. Thus Diamonds posted a very modest 96 all out in 18.4 overs on a track that looked like it was full of runs.
Fourteen runs from the first over from Heap, 12, and Dattani, 20, set Thunder well on their way and with Morris making 42 not out from 34 balls with five fours, Diamonds could not stem the flow of runs. And it was all over after 15 overs as Lightning won by seven wickets at 97-3. Not only that, the victory ensured that Thunder would be competing in the play-off game against Southern Vipers at Worcester on 10 June.
As for the men, Lancashire Lightning fought a much tighter battle against Worcestershire Rapid after Liam Livingstone had won the toss and decided that Lightning would field first. And Worcestershire lived up to their name with a rapid start, skipper Brett D’Oliveira taking three fours from the second over. But the introduction of Colin de Grandomme into the attack put a stop to the merriment as he dismissed both openers.
Thereafter the spin of Tom Hartley and Luke Wells put the brakes on somewhat and when Daryl Mitchell was brought into the attack, he not only stemmed the flow of runs but took three wickets in the process to finish with a parsimonious 3-9. And with Adam Finch run out from the final ball of the innings, Rapids finished at 177-9 with Mitchell Santner’s 57 from 33 balls with four fours and four sixes, being the best effort, followed by Adam Hose’s 42 from 29 balls with two fours and three sixes. As for the fielding, on his home ground Steven Croft took three catches, including a superb overhead catch at long-off to dismiss Oliver Cox.
In reply, Lightning lost two early wickets, Phil Salt for five and Luke Wells for three but Joss Buttler was in dominant form and it was a surprise, as well as a disappointment to the healthy-sized crowd, when he edged the speedy Dillon Pennington to wicketkeeper Cox after he had made a sparkling 58 from 42 balls with five fours and three sixes.
It was also a disappointment when Croft was run out for 40 with four fours and two sixes after a mix-up with Mitchell but Livingstone entered and struck a 12-ball 23 to keep his side on track for victory. And with three balls remaining Mitchell, 33 not out from 14 balls, struck a mighty six over long-off to win the game for Lightning by four wickets at 181-6.
And that completed a thoroughly entertaining and successful day all round with the Lancashire men, returning to Stanley Park on 10 July for a four-day Division One LV=Insurance County Championship game … don’t miss it!
March 15, 2023
Larwood
My daughter who loves her cats rescued two of Siamese extraction some 12 months ago. She named them Little Nell, after Dickens' character, and Larwood, after Harold of that ilk, one of her favourite cricketers.
As I live 250 miles away from Deborah I did not get down to see Little Nell but did meet Larwood over Christmas when I stayed for a week and more. Deborah had already warmed me that he was very cautious of newcomers, a trait apparently common to Siamese. This wasn't too bad while Little Nell was alive (see next paragraph) as she was friendly and would check out all visitors before letting Larwood know that they were okay. But with no Little Nell there, Larwood was ultra cautious.
In addition he could not reconcile with people wearing a hat, even Andy, Deborah's husband, was looked at with suspicion when he wore a hat in cold weather. We thought no more of this and when i arrived I was wearing a hat, which I kept on during most of my visit. Larwood was watchful and early on he sat right in front of me staring for quite some time. As I was sat with Deborah I suggested to her that as she has similar features to myself (to her chagrin I should add!) that Larwood was assessing how alike the two of us looked. We thought no more about it but Larwood would keep a respectable distance away from me except one night when he slept on one of the cushions close to where I was asleep.
By this time Larwood had aplaymate because Deborah quickly realised that Siamese youngsters in particularly enjoy romping about and Little Nell was none too keen so Deborah acquired another rescue cat, which she named Stanley. Larwood was made up and the two boys would romp around the orchard play fighting, catching mice, climbing trees and generally having a good time.
Sadly Little Nell was run over and killed a few months ago and then only last Friday, Larwood, not yet two years old, was found with a wounded leg, which it transpired had come from being hit by a car. I should add that Deborah lives in a small village out in the country but the road that passes her house is a dangerous one but as her cats have plenty of ground to wander round, there should be no need to go to the road. But Deborah tells me that Siamese are adventurous and want to explore.
Anyway the vet decided that Larwood might have to lose a leg but he would put a titanium plate in it first to see if that did the trick. The operation was scheduled for the following Monday 13 March. Larwood had pain-killing medication to keep him pain free for the weekend and Deborah stayed downstairs with him each night.
Off to the vets he went on Monday morning, the love of his parents going with him. What transpired is a tragedy indeed. The operation was a success and hopes were high but not too long afterwards Larwood stopped breathing and sadly died; a blood clot was the cause.
I was out on a talk on Monday afternoon and when I returned home I noticed I had a message from Deborah and I switched iton to hear her crying her eyes out and telling me that Larwood had died. I was absolutely devasted both for Larwood and for Deborah who does adore her cats, she has two others, Margery (after Allingham) and Stanley (after Matthews) - both of those personalities her heroes ... as was Harold Larwood, thus 'Lar's' name.
There was nothing that could be done however and Andy picked Larwood's body up from the verts on his way home. He is now buried in their orchard alongside his mother with suitable items in his coffin with him.
I must confess that the death affected me badly, too, even though Larwood was cool with me while I was there. This did not worry me for I admired his stand-offishness as he surveyed me and, as I have said, Deborah warned me of his temperament now that Little Nell was not around.
I found it difficult to sleep that night so, as is often my wont when not sleeping, I decided I would write Larwood a poem ... and here it is:
Larwood: In Memoriam
When next I call, I’m so upset you will not be there,
If only to show you that I do have some hair!
You were such a handsome boy
And brought your family a great deal of joy.
Sadly you lost your natural Mum
And understandably you were glum.
You needed a friend as a chum
And along came Stan to share the fun.
As brothers you played and played
And there was many a night-time raid!
Toys were all okay
But you preferred to play
With a box and a feather,
If not those, whatever!
Named after Larwood, one of your Mum’s cricketing heroes
Certainly helped to keep you on your toes;
That bowler’s pace was legendary in those ‘Bodyline’ Ashes
And you certainly lived up to his speed in your barnyard clashes!
He was also not averse to making a run
And you, too, picked up the pace while you had such fun.
In the family you will never be forgotten –
But not showing you my hair does make me feel rotten!
Larwood rest in peace and be assured you will be sadly missed
By all who were lucky enough to come into contact with you ... and count me on the list.
As I live 250 miles away from Deborah I did not get down to see Little Nell but did meet Larwood over Christmas when I stayed for a week and more. Deborah had already warmed me that he was very cautious of newcomers, a trait apparently common to Siamese. This wasn't too bad while Little Nell was alive (see next paragraph) as she was friendly and would check out all visitors before letting Larwood know that they were okay. But with no Little Nell there, Larwood was ultra cautious.
In addition he could not reconcile with people wearing a hat, even Andy, Deborah's husband, was looked at with suspicion when he wore a hat in cold weather. We thought no more of this and when i arrived I was wearing a hat, which I kept on during most of my visit. Larwood was watchful and early on he sat right in front of me staring for quite some time. As I was sat with Deborah I suggested to her that as she has similar features to myself (to her chagrin I should add!) that Larwood was assessing how alike the two of us looked. We thought no more about it but Larwood would keep a respectable distance away from me except one night when he slept on one of the cushions close to where I was asleep.
By this time Larwood had aplaymate because Deborah quickly realised that Siamese youngsters in particularly enjoy romping about and Little Nell was none too keen so Deborah acquired another rescue cat, which she named Stanley. Larwood was made up and the two boys would romp around the orchard play fighting, catching mice, climbing trees and generally having a good time.
Sadly Little Nell was run over and killed a few months ago and then only last Friday, Larwood, not yet two years old, was found with a wounded leg, which it transpired had come from being hit by a car. I should add that Deborah lives in a small village out in the country but the road that passes her house is a dangerous one but as her cats have plenty of ground to wander round, there should be no need to go to the road. But Deborah tells me that Siamese are adventurous and want to explore.
Anyway the vet decided that Larwood might have to lose a leg but he would put a titanium plate in it first to see if that did the trick. The operation was scheduled for the following Monday 13 March. Larwood had pain-killing medication to keep him pain free for the weekend and Deborah stayed downstairs with him each night.
Off to the vets he went on Monday morning, the love of his parents going with him. What transpired is a tragedy indeed. The operation was a success and hopes were high but not too long afterwards Larwood stopped breathing and sadly died; a blood clot was the cause.
I was out on a talk on Monday afternoon and when I returned home I noticed I had a message from Deborah and I switched iton to hear her crying her eyes out and telling me that Larwood had died. I was absolutely devasted both for Larwood and for Deborah who does adore her cats, she has two others, Margery (after Allingham) and Stanley (after Matthews) - both of those personalities her heroes ... as was Harold Larwood, thus 'Lar's' name.
There was nothing that could be done however and Andy picked Larwood's body up from the verts on his way home. He is now buried in their orchard alongside his mother with suitable items in his coffin with him.
I must confess that the death affected me badly, too, even though Larwood was cool with me while I was there. This did not worry me for I admired his stand-offishness as he surveyed me and, as I have said, Deborah warned me of his temperament now that Little Nell was not around.
I found it difficult to sleep that night so, as is often my wont when not sleeping, I decided I would write Larwood a poem ... and here it is:
Larwood: In Memoriam
When next I call, I’m so upset you will not be there,
If only to show you that I do have some hair!
You were such a handsome boy
And brought your family a great deal of joy.
Sadly you lost your natural Mum
And understandably you were glum.
You needed a friend as a chum
And along came Stan to share the fun.
As brothers you played and played
And there was many a night-time raid!
Toys were all okay
But you preferred to play
With a box and a feather,
If not those, whatever!
Named after Larwood, one of your Mum’s cricketing heroes
Certainly helped to keep you on your toes;
That bowler’s pace was legendary in those ‘Bodyline’ Ashes
And you certainly lived up to his speed in your barnyard clashes!
He was also not averse to making a run
And you, too, picked up the pace while you had such fun.
In the family you will never be forgotten –
But not showing you my hair does make me feel rotten!
Larwood rest in peace and be assured you will be sadly missed
By all who were lucky enough to come into contact with you ... and count me on the list.
November 19, 2022
A tough competitor
John Patrick McNicholas 1949-2022
John McNicholas was born in Preston- on 30 October 1949 and played all his junior football, mostly in midfield, for teams in Preston, latterly with St Walburg’s. Blackpool were alerted to his talent and the club gave him a trial as an amateur in September 1968.
The club were impressed with what they saw and he made his Central League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves on 28 September 1968 when the game was drawn 2-2. And after playing his second game in the reserve side, and scoring one of Blackpool’s goals in, a 3-3 draw with Burnley reserves on 12 October 1968, he was signed him as a professional after the game. He had impressed with his all-round play and had also scored one of Blackpool’s goals.
He scored his second Central League goal in the reserve side’s 6-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion reserves on 26 October 1968 and he had a long run in the side. He finished the 1968/69 season having played 22 Central League games, plus making two substitute appearances and scoring two goals.
Former Blackpool centre forward Bobby Finan was coach of Blackpool’s ‘A’ team at the time and he said of his then current crop of players, ‘We have a lot of promising lads, several of whom have appeared in the reserve side, such as Dennis Wann, John Hughes, John McNicholas, Paul Brown, Geoff Hesketh, Bob Thomas and Alan Tuson. It was only when the ‘A’ team began to break up this season due to calls on the players for the reserve team that we started to lose any matches. But not to worry. Results are not all important for the third team. The whole object of the exercise is to find players who will be good enough for the reserve and, later on, for the first team and it is a good thing that we are producing these promising lads.’
He began the 1969/70 season by scoring one of Blackpool’s goals in a 3-2 Central League victory over Huddersfield Town reserves in the opening game of the season on 9 August 1969. Thereafter he missed only a few games before Blackpool loaned him to Fleetwood for a month in mid-November 1969. He was considered an asset to the Fleetwood team and had ‘shown strength and shooting power when in the attack and he is also at home in defence’. By this time he was very much a utility player, operating in midfield and also up front. When it came time for him to return to Blackpool, Fleetwood manager Derek Armstrong commented, ‘Obviously we would like to keep him.’ But Blackpool had other plans for the player who was a tough competitor, even in training according to his team-mates!
He returned to central League action and played 28 Central League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring seven goals, and one friendly game appearance for Blackpool in the 1969/70 season. He was join top scorer for the reserve side with Tom White.
He began the 1970/71 season as a regular in the Central League side, playing mainly as a defender he began the season in the side that defeated Everton reserves 3-1 on 15 August. He was a regular in the side in the early games and had played so well that he made his initial first team appearance as a substitute in the League Cup second round tie against Newport County on 9 September when Blackpool won 4-1. He replaced Dave Hatton in the 80th minute.
He then made his first appearance, and what sadly turned out to be his only appearance, in the League side as a 57th-minute substitute for Alan Suddick against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 12 September 1970 when Blackpool lost 3-0. He went into the attack and took up the right wing position and he was quickly in the action when ‘cutting in from the right, he did well to keep the ball in play and get in his cross but Jennings pulled it out of the air’.
He also made an appearance as a substitute in the League Cup tie against Bristol City on 7 October 1970 when he replaced John Craven in the 70th minute as Blackpool surprisingly lost 1-0.
In February 1971 he was having talks with Fleetwood player-manager Derek Armstrong about joining the club on a full-time basis. Armstrong was once again keen to sign him so Blackpool loaned him out to Fleetwood again in the second half of the 1970/71 season.
He made one substitute appearance in the League and two substitute appearances in the League Cup, 15 Central League appearances plus one as substitute, one Lancashire Senior Cup tie and one friendly game for Blackpool in the 1970/71 season.
Having been granted a free transfer on 20 May 1971, Blackpool cancelled his registration on 30 June 1971 after he had written to the club stating, ‘I regret to say that I cannot accept your terms. I can only see one solution and therefore must ask for my release.’ Blackpool granted his request after he had played a total of 65 Central League games, making four substitute appearances at that level and scoring nine goals plus making three substitute appearances in the first team, two in the League Cup and one in the League.
He joined Fleetwood Town for the 1971/72 season and he subsequently played for Lancaster.
After retirement from football he worked for McAlpines on the roads and motorways before later acquiring a hardware shop in St Annes. He was a regular and most welcome supporter at the various functions organised by the Former Blackpool Players’ Association and he will always feature in the annals of Blackpool Football Club history.
He died on 14 November 2022 and leaves his beloved wife Lesley. His funeral will be on Tuesday 29 Nov at 12 noon at St Joseph’s Church on Woodlands Road, Ansdell, Lytham St Annes, FY8 4EP, and there will be a private burial at Lytham Crematorium.
John McNicholas was born in Preston- on 30 October 1949 and played all his junior football, mostly in midfield, for teams in Preston, latterly with St Walburg’s. Blackpool were alerted to his talent and the club gave him a trial as an amateur in September 1968.
The club were impressed with what they saw and he made his Central League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves on 28 September 1968 when the game was drawn 2-2. And after playing his second game in the reserve side, and scoring one of Blackpool’s goals in, a 3-3 draw with Burnley reserves on 12 October 1968, he was signed him as a professional after the game. He had impressed with his all-round play and had also scored one of Blackpool’s goals.
He scored his second Central League goal in the reserve side’s 6-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion reserves on 26 October 1968 and he had a long run in the side. He finished the 1968/69 season having played 22 Central League games, plus making two substitute appearances and scoring two goals.
Former Blackpool centre forward Bobby Finan was coach of Blackpool’s ‘A’ team at the time and he said of his then current crop of players, ‘We have a lot of promising lads, several of whom have appeared in the reserve side, such as Dennis Wann, John Hughes, John McNicholas, Paul Brown, Geoff Hesketh, Bob Thomas and Alan Tuson. It was only when the ‘A’ team began to break up this season due to calls on the players for the reserve team that we started to lose any matches. But not to worry. Results are not all important for the third team. The whole object of the exercise is to find players who will be good enough for the reserve and, later on, for the first team and it is a good thing that we are producing these promising lads.’
He began the 1969/70 season by scoring one of Blackpool’s goals in a 3-2 Central League victory over Huddersfield Town reserves in the opening game of the season on 9 August 1969. Thereafter he missed only a few games before Blackpool loaned him to Fleetwood for a month in mid-November 1969. He was considered an asset to the Fleetwood team and had ‘shown strength and shooting power when in the attack and he is also at home in defence’. By this time he was very much a utility player, operating in midfield and also up front. When it came time for him to return to Blackpool, Fleetwood manager Derek Armstrong commented, ‘Obviously we would like to keep him.’ But Blackpool had other plans for the player who was a tough competitor, even in training according to his team-mates!
He returned to central League action and played 28 Central League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring seven goals, and one friendly game appearance for Blackpool in the 1969/70 season. He was join top scorer for the reserve side with Tom White.
He began the 1970/71 season as a regular in the Central League side, playing mainly as a defender he began the season in the side that defeated Everton reserves 3-1 on 15 August. He was a regular in the side in the early games and had played so well that he made his initial first team appearance as a substitute in the League Cup second round tie against Newport County on 9 September when Blackpool won 4-1. He replaced Dave Hatton in the 80th minute.
He then made his first appearance, and what sadly turned out to be his only appearance, in the League side as a 57th-minute substitute for Alan Suddick against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 12 September 1970 when Blackpool lost 3-0. He went into the attack and took up the right wing position and he was quickly in the action when ‘cutting in from the right, he did well to keep the ball in play and get in his cross but Jennings pulled it out of the air’.
He also made an appearance as a substitute in the League Cup tie against Bristol City on 7 October 1970 when he replaced John Craven in the 70th minute as Blackpool surprisingly lost 1-0.
In February 1971 he was having talks with Fleetwood player-manager Derek Armstrong about joining the club on a full-time basis. Armstrong was once again keen to sign him so Blackpool loaned him out to Fleetwood again in the second half of the 1970/71 season.
He made one substitute appearance in the League and two substitute appearances in the League Cup, 15 Central League appearances plus one as substitute, one Lancashire Senior Cup tie and one friendly game for Blackpool in the 1970/71 season.
Having been granted a free transfer on 20 May 1971, Blackpool cancelled his registration on 30 June 1971 after he had written to the club stating, ‘I regret to say that I cannot accept your terms. I can only see one solution and therefore must ask for my release.’ Blackpool granted his request after he had played a total of 65 Central League games, making four substitute appearances at that level and scoring nine goals plus making three substitute appearances in the first team, two in the League Cup and one in the League.
He joined Fleetwood Town for the 1971/72 season and he subsequently played for Lancaster.
After retirement from football he worked for McAlpines on the roads and motorways before later acquiring a hardware shop in St Annes. He was a regular and most welcome supporter at the various functions organised by the Former Blackpool Players’ Association and he will always feature in the annals of Blackpool Football Club history.
He died on 14 November 2022 and leaves his beloved wife Lesley. His funeral will be on Tuesday 29 Nov at 12 noon at St Joseph’s Church on Woodlands Road, Ansdell, Lytham St Annes, FY8 4EP, and there will be a private burial at Lytham Crematorium.
