Gerry Wolstenholme's Blog, page 8
August 1, 2016
Blackpool's Oldest Surviving Player Passes Away
William (Billy) Park 1919 -2016
Billy Park was born in Gateshead on 23 February 1919 and was regarded as a 'clever inside forward who also plays left half' throughout his junior career. He was signed by Blackpool as an amateur on 12 September 1934 from Felling Red Star FC. The north east club was sent a donation of £20 in recognition of allowing Park to sign.
Blackpool signed him after watching him play for his club against Newcastle United reserves when eight other League clubs including the likes of Everton, Sunderland and Bradford were reportedly interested in signing him. He was a schoolboy international.
Sir Lindsay Parkinson, Blackpool's chairman, got him a clerical job in Catterall and Swarbrick’s brewery at Talbot Road and he went to night school to study mechanical engineering. And to give him more footballing experience, Blackpool loaned him out, short-term, to Leyland Motors FC in October 1934.
He returned to the club and made his Central League debut at inside left in a 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic reserves on 15 December 1934. It was to be his only senior appearance of the season.
He was offered £2 10s 0d [£2.50] in February 1936 to turn professional but he requested £4. Blackpool’s Board of Directors decided to wait and watch him in another game in the Northern Mid Week League before deciding what action to take. He was later offered £3 per week to the end of the 1935/36 season or £3 10s 0d [£3.50] if he trained full time. When he returned home to the north east, long-time Blackpool player Albert Watson, who had lived in the same street in the north east, called to see him and his mother to 'point out the merits of the club’s offer'. As an ambassador for the club, Watson advised him to sign as a professional.
When Blackpool defeated Oldham Athletic 4-0 on 26 February 1936 in the North West Mid-Week League side the critics commented that there was 'a lot of promise in the play of Park, a stubborn defensive centre half'.
He was still undecided about signing as a professional in March 1936 and he refused an increased offer of £4 per week that would have been his wage providing he was in full-time training. To resolve the situation, in April 1936 his mother was invited down to Blackpool from the north east to discuss the issue of him signing as a professional. On his behalf, she stated that the minimum he would be prepared to accept was £5 per week during the season. However, he eventually signed on 29 April 1936 at a wage of £4 10s 0d [£4.50] per week for the rest of the season and for the 1937/38 season. His weekly wage during the summer was £3.
He made no senior appearances for the club in the 1935/36 and 1936/37 seasons, playing only in the Northern Mid-Week League side and in the Blackpool ‘A’ side.
However, he made his first Central League appearance of the 1937/38 season at left back in a 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers on 6 September 1937 and he finished the 1937/38 season with 27 Central League appearances to his name.
Once more he refused the terms of £3 10s 0d [£3.50] summer, £4 10s 0d [£4.50] winter plus an extra £2 if and when he played in the first team for the 1938/39 season but he did remain with the club on his previous terms.
After continuing in the Central League side and having a north east newspaper headline Billy Park is Making a Big Hit with Blackpool in late October 1938, he finally made his League debut, a late replacement for influenza victim Eric Hayward, at centre half in a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 31 December 1938 when it was said, 'He is no stranger to the position but he had played his first games for Blackpool as a full back [sic]'. Hayward returned for the following game and Park reverted to the Central League side.
He returned to the League side when he replaced the injured Malcolm Butler at left back for the game anther 4-0 victory, this time against Middlesbrough on 15 April 1938. And his final game of the season was against Brentford on 29 April 1938 when another late training injury to Eric Hayward allowed him a further game at centre half. Blackpool drew 1-1 when he 'revealed plenty of composure and before the end was settling to his game in an unfamiliar position … but in the first half-hour he was in a force whose clearances were always a dozen yards short or hurriedly mis-hit to the wrong man'. The after-match comment was 'William Park may one day be a centre half in the old tradition. Not for him, however intense the pressure facing him, a clearance anywhere. Yet in this game there was probably not the decision in his game which a desperate retreat demanded. This young man nevertheless has such composure that one day he will come.'
He ended the 1938/39 season having played in three League games and 35 Central League games.
He was re signed by Blackpool for the (later aborted) 1939/40 season at a wage of £4 10s 0d [£4.50] summer, £5 10s 0d [£5.50] winter plus £2 extra when appearing in the first team. But Herr Hitler intervened and by January 1940 he was reported as being 'in khaki', serving much of his time as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) in Northern Ireland, where he played a number of games for Distillery. During wartime he also played a number of games as a guest for Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Bath City.
He was transfer listed by Blackpool at a fee of £500 in March 1946 although he was offered terms for the 1946/47 season of £5 summer, £6 winter and £10 if and when playing in the first team. Knowing that he was transfer-listed, Horden Colliery Welfare offered him a post as player-manager, with the added bonus of a house, but Blackpool manager Joe Smith would not allow him to go even though he had still not re signed for Blackpool in September 1946. He then asked to be given a free transfer.
He was finally transferred to York City in September 1946 with another Blackpool player, Leslie Forster, for a combined fee of £450 plus an extra £300 if Park played in 12 first team games. He played in 26 League games for York in the 1946/47 season, scoring one goal and presumably Blackpool received their extra £300 based on the number of his appearances. He had played three League games and 63 Central League games for Blackpool.
While at York he studied electrical engineering so as to enhance his career prospects with the British Railways, where he had found employment. National Service prevented him from playing for York City in the 1947/48 season and he joined non-league Scarborough as a part-time player in the 1948 close season. He retained his job with the railways in York while playing for Scarborough.
He subsequently moved with his job to Bath and then to Newton Abbot, Devon, where, having been Blackpool's oldest surviving player, he died on 19 July 2016.
Billy Park was born in Gateshead on 23 February 1919 and was regarded as a 'clever inside forward who also plays left half' throughout his junior career. He was signed by Blackpool as an amateur on 12 September 1934 from Felling Red Star FC. The north east club was sent a donation of £20 in recognition of allowing Park to sign.
Blackpool signed him after watching him play for his club against Newcastle United reserves when eight other League clubs including the likes of Everton, Sunderland and Bradford were reportedly interested in signing him. He was a schoolboy international.
Sir Lindsay Parkinson, Blackpool's chairman, got him a clerical job in Catterall and Swarbrick’s brewery at Talbot Road and he went to night school to study mechanical engineering. And to give him more footballing experience, Blackpool loaned him out, short-term, to Leyland Motors FC in October 1934.
He returned to the club and made his Central League debut at inside left in a 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic reserves on 15 December 1934. It was to be his only senior appearance of the season.
He was offered £2 10s 0d [£2.50] in February 1936 to turn professional but he requested £4. Blackpool’s Board of Directors decided to wait and watch him in another game in the Northern Mid Week League before deciding what action to take. He was later offered £3 per week to the end of the 1935/36 season or £3 10s 0d [£3.50] if he trained full time. When he returned home to the north east, long-time Blackpool player Albert Watson, who had lived in the same street in the north east, called to see him and his mother to 'point out the merits of the club’s offer'. As an ambassador for the club, Watson advised him to sign as a professional.
When Blackpool defeated Oldham Athletic 4-0 on 26 February 1936 in the North West Mid-Week League side the critics commented that there was 'a lot of promise in the play of Park, a stubborn defensive centre half'.
He was still undecided about signing as a professional in March 1936 and he refused an increased offer of £4 per week that would have been his wage providing he was in full-time training. To resolve the situation, in April 1936 his mother was invited down to Blackpool from the north east to discuss the issue of him signing as a professional. On his behalf, she stated that the minimum he would be prepared to accept was £5 per week during the season. However, he eventually signed on 29 April 1936 at a wage of £4 10s 0d [£4.50] per week for the rest of the season and for the 1937/38 season. His weekly wage during the summer was £3.
He made no senior appearances for the club in the 1935/36 and 1936/37 seasons, playing only in the Northern Mid-Week League side and in the Blackpool ‘A’ side.
However, he made his first Central League appearance of the 1937/38 season at left back in a 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers on 6 September 1937 and he finished the 1937/38 season with 27 Central League appearances to his name.
Once more he refused the terms of £3 10s 0d [£3.50] summer, £4 10s 0d [£4.50] winter plus an extra £2 if and when he played in the first team for the 1938/39 season but he did remain with the club on his previous terms.
After continuing in the Central League side and having a north east newspaper headline Billy Park is Making a Big Hit with Blackpool in late October 1938, he finally made his League debut, a late replacement for influenza victim Eric Hayward, at centre half in a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 31 December 1938 when it was said, 'He is no stranger to the position but he had played his first games for Blackpool as a full back [sic]'. Hayward returned for the following game and Park reverted to the Central League side.
He returned to the League side when he replaced the injured Malcolm Butler at left back for the game anther 4-0 victory, this time against Middlesbrough on 15 April 1938. And his final game of the season was against Brentford on 29 April 1938 when another late training injury to Eric Hayward allowed him a further game at centre half. Blackpool drew 1-1 when he 'revealed plenty of composure and before the end was settling to his game in an unfamiliar position … but in the first half-hour he was in a force whose clearances were always a dozen yards short or hurriedly mis-hit to the wrong man'. The after-match comment was 'William Park may one day be a centre half in the old tradition. Not for him, however intense the pressure facing him, a clearance anywhere. Yet in this game there was probably not the decision in his game which a desperate retreat demanded. This young man nevertheless has such composure that one day he will come.'
He ended the 1938/39 season having played in three League games and 35 Central League games.
He was re signed by Blackpool for the (later aborted) 1939/40 season at a wage of £4 10s 0d [£4.50] summer, £5 10s 0d [£5.50] winter plus £2 extra when appearing in the first team. But Herr Hitler intervened and by January 1940 he was reported as being 'in khaki', serving much of his time as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) in Northern Ireland, where he played a number of games for Distillery. During wartime he also played a number of games as a guest for Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Bath City.
He was transfer listed by Blackpool at a fee of £500 in March 1946 although he was offered terms for the 1946/47 season of £5 summer, £6 winter and £10 if and when playing in the first team. Knowing that he was transfer-listed, Horden Colliery Welfare offered him a post as player-manager, with the added bonus of a house, but Blackpool manager Joe Smith would not allow him to go even though he had still not re signed for Blackpool in September 1946. He then asked to be given a free transfer.
He was finally transferred to York City in September 1946 with another Blackpool player, Leslie Forster, for a combined fee of £450 plus an extra £300 if Park played in 12 first team games. He played in 26 League games for York in the 1946/47 season, scoring one goal and presumably Blackpool received their extra £300 based on the number of his appearances. He had played three League games and 63 Central League games for Blackpool.
While at York he studied electrical engineering so as to enhance his career prospects with the British Railways, where he had found employment. National Service prevented him from playing for York City in the 1947/48 season and he joined non-league Scarborough as a part-time player in the 1948 close season. He retained his job with the railways in York while playing for Scarborough.
He subsequently moved with his job to Bath and then to Newton Abbot, Devon, where, having been Blackpool's oldest surviving player, he died on 19 July 2016.
April 29, 2016
Promotion with Blackpool - A life-saver at Burnley!
Ian Britton was born in Dundee on 19 May 1954. He began his football career as a midfield player with Scottish junior club Hillside Rangers before being spotted by Chelsea for whom he initially signed as a 17-year-old apprentice before signing as a professional in July 1971. He went on to play 279 League and Cup games, make 10 substitute appearances and score 34 goals for Chelsea where he had a reputation for 'a willingness to run for 90 minutes'.
After leaving Chelsea he joined Dundee United in August 1982 and he was a member of the Dundee United squad that won the Scottish League title for the only time in the club's history in 1982/83. He played two games for Arbroath at the start of the 1983/84 season and was signed by Blackpool in November 1983 on a month’s trial from Dundee United, who held his registration.
He made a modest first appearance for Blackpool in the Central League side against Port Vale reserves on 8 November 1983 when Blackpool lost 4-1. Then
on 12 November 1983 he made his first League appearance for Blackpool as a 55th-minute substitute against Doncaster Rovers when he replaced Billy Rodaway in a 2-1 defeat. After another Central League appearance, he made his first Blackpool start in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983 when Blackpool won 2-0. And then the following week he made his first League start for Blackpool against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when Blackpool won 2-1.
He had impressed in his short time at the club and Blackpool were keen to sign him full-time with manager Sam Ellis commenting, 'Ian has intimated that he would like to stay with us. The exact terms and offer will be finalised on Monday [5 December 1983] and hopefully he’ll sign a contract with us.' Fortunately Dundee United were willing to let him go and Blackpool signed him permanently for 'a small fee' in early December 1983.
He scored his first goals for Blackpool, two of them, in a 5-0 defeat of Aldershot on 2 January 1984 and he finished his goalscoring for the season with a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Halifax Town on 7 May 1984. In total he scored nine goals in his 29 League games, plus one as substitute, and he also played in five FA Cup ties and three Central League games in the 1983/84 season.
He was a regular choice in the 1984/85 season and he was an ever-present in the Fourth Division promotion side, playing in all 46 League games, scoring five goals. He also played one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties, scoring one goal, three Lancashire Cup ties, two Associate Members’ Cup ties, scoring one goal, and four friendly games.
He was regularly the star man in the team and when Blackpool defeated Southend United 1-0 on 23 February 1985, the Gazette reported, 'It was only right that Ian Britton should score the winner. His poise and purpose was a constant shaft of light through a fog of muddled play, He popped up in the 50th minute to thread a left-foot shot past the Southend goalkeeper after efforts by Alex Dyer and Paul Stewart were beaten out. Thanks to Britton's promptings, Blackpool at least carved out some decent second-half chances.'
He played the first four League games of the following season before losing his place in the side. But he returned on and off during the remainder of the season and in all he played in 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties, two Lancashire Cup ties, plus making one substitute appearance, 11 Central League games and one pre-season friendly game in the 1985/86 season.
As the 1986/87 was about to begin, Blackpool made the decision to loan him to Burnley for a month in August 1986 and on 22 September 1986 the club gave permission for him to stay at Burnley for a second month’s loan.
He was later transferred to Burnley on a permanent basis after his Blackpool career had encompassed 100 League games, plus five substitute appearances, scoring 15 goals, seven FA Cup ties, plus one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, four League Cup ties, scoring one goal, 14 Central League appearances, two Associate Members Cup ties, scoring one goal, two Lancashire League Cup ties, plus making one substitute appearance, and five friendly games. In all of his games he always gave 100 per cent and although his goalscoring was relatively modest, his approach play created many goals for the club.
And it was at Burnley that he wrote his name large in the annals of the history of Burnley Football Club when, on the final day of the season, he scored the goal that preserved their League status on 9 May 1987. His 48th-minute headed goal saw Orient defeated 2-1 and Burnley remained in The Football League by a single point. He went on to play 102 League games, make six substitute appearances and score 10 goals for Burnley up to the 1988/89 season, after which the club released him.
He had a short spell managing non-league Nelson in the mid-1990s and thereafter he continued to play football, turning out on occasions for the Chelsea Old Boys side, appearing for the team as late as 2008.
He continued to live in East Lancashire where he was the manager of the Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre operated by Pendle Leisure Trust and he was a regular attendee at Burnley games, often as a guest of honour.
After a long illness with prostate cancer, he died on 31 March 2016. His funeral in Burnley was attended by his former Chelsea team-mates Ray Wilkins and Clive Walker, along with many other former players who wanted to pay their tributes to a player who had made over 500 appearances during his stellar career.
After leaving Chelsea he joined Dundee United in August 1982 and he was a member of the Dundee United squad that won the Scottish League title for the only time in the club's history in 1982/83. He played two games for Arbroath at the start of the 1983/84 season and was signed by Blackpool in November 1983 on a month’s trial from Dundee United, who held his registration.
He made a modest first appearance for Blackpool in the Central League side against Port Vale reserves on 8 November 1983 when Blackpool lost 4-1. Then
on 12 November 1983 he made his first League appearance for Blackpool as a 55th-minute substitute against Doncaster Rovers when he replaced Billy Rodaway in a 2-1 defeat. After another Central League appearance, he made his first Blackpool start in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983 when Blackpool won 2-0. And then the following week he made his first League start for Blackpool against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when Blackpool won 2-1.
He had impressed in his short time at the club and Blackpool were keen to sign him full-time with manager Sam Ellis commenting, 'Ian has intimated that he would like to stay with us. The exact terms and offer will be finalised on Monday [5 December 1983] and hopefully he’ll sign a contract with us.' Fortunately Dundee United were willing to let him go and Blackpool signed him permanently for 'a small fee' in early December 1983.
He scored his first goals for Blackpool, two of them, in a 5-0 defeat of Aldershot on 2 January 1984 and he finished his goalscoring for the season with a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Halifax Town on 7 May 1984. In total he scored nine goals in his 29 League games, plus one as substitute, and he also played in five FA Cup ties and three Central League games in the 1983/84 season.
He was a regular choice in the 1984/85 season and he was an ever-present in the Fourth Division promotion side, playing in all 46 League games, scoring five goals. He also played one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties, scoring one goal, three Lancashire Cup ties, two Associate Members’ Cup ties, scoring one goal, and four friendly games.
He was regularly the star man in the team and when Blackpool defeated Southend United 1-0 on 23 February 1985, the Gazette reported, 'It was only right that Ian Britton should score the winner. His poise and purpose was a constant shaft of light through a fog of muddled play, He popped up in the 50th minute to thread a left-foot shot past the Southend goalkeeper after efforts by Alex Dyer and Paul Stewart were beaten out. Thanks to Britton's promptings, Blackpool at least carved out some decent second-half chances.'
He played the first four League games of the following season before losing his place in the side. But he returned on and off during the remainder of the season and in all he played in 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties, two Lancashire Cup ties, plus making one substitute appearance, 11 Central League games and one pre-season friendly game in the 1985/86 season.
As the 1986/87 was about to begin, Blackpool made the decision to loan him to Burnley for a month in August 1986 and on 22 September 1986 the club gave permission for him to stay at Burnley for a second month’s loan.
He was later transferred to Burnley on a permanent basis after his Blackpool career had encompassed 100 League games, plus five substitute appearances, scoring 15 goals, seven FA Cup ties, plus one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, four League Cup ties, scoring one goal, 14 Central League appearances, two Associate Members Cup ties, scoring one goal, two Lancashire League Cup ties, plus making one substitute appearance, and five friendly games. In all of his games he always gave 100 per cent and although his goalscoring was relatively modest, his approach play created many goals for the club.
And it was at Burnley that he wrote his name large in the annals of the history of Burnley Football Club when, on the final day of the season, he scored the goal that preserved their League status on 9 May 1987. His 48th-minute headed goal saw Orient defeated 2-1 and Burnley remained in The Football League by a single point. He went on to play 102 League games, make six substitute appearances and score 10 goals for Burnley up to the 1988/89 season, after which the club released him.
He had a short spell managing non-league Nelson in the mid-1990s and thereafter he continued to play football, turning out on occasions for the Chelsea Old Boys side, appearing for the team as late as 2008.
He continued to live in East Lancashire where he was the manager of the Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre operated by Pendle Leisure Trust and he was a regular attendee at Burnley games, often as a guest of honour.
After a long illness with prostate cancer, he died on 31 March 2016. His funeral in Burnley was attended by his former Chelsea team-mates Ray Wilkins and Clive Walker, along with many other former players who wanted to pay their tributes to a player who had made over 500 appearances during his stellar career.
March 1, 2016
A Goalscoring Debut but sadly promise unfulfilled … Kenneth Kershaw (Ken or Kenny) Booth 1934-2015
Kenny Booth was born in Blackpool on 22 November 1934 and attended the rugby playing Arnold school. However Kenny preferred football and outside of school he played at inside forward for St Peter’s Youth Club. While with this junior club he was said to be 'A clever, intelligent footballer with a strong shot and shrewd brain.'
Blackpool, then a top First Division side, signed him on amateur forms in May 1951 when manager Joe Smith said that he expected him to make the grade but did not want to push him too early. Kenny was following in his father's footsteps for he was the son of former Blackpool wing half Bobby Booth.
He played for the club’s junior teams in his early days at Bloomfield Road and he was the youngest player and 'the best inside forward' on the field in the Blackpool ‘B’ side’s 5-1 victory over Burnley ‘B’ early in the 1951/52 season. The local press comment was 'The maturity of his football considering his age – and he is still only 16 – is out of the common.'
While an amateur at Blackpool he worked at the Publicity Department at Blackpool Town Hall but he gave up the job when Blackpool signed him as a full time professional on 16 January 1952. Later that year he suffered a badly broken ankle, which hampered his progress somewhat.
He joined the RAF to undertake his National Service on 19 January 1953 but he was still able to make his Central League debut for Blackpool at inside left in a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion reserves on 30 March 1953. It was his only senior game of the season. However, at the close of the 1952/53 season he was regarded as one of 'the best of all prospects' and one 'destined to win fame', along with Dave Durie, Billy Wright, Stanley Hepton and Cyril Robinson.
Still on National Service, he made his reappearance in the Central League side at inside right against Barnsley reserves on 19 December 1953 when Blackpool lost 2-1 and he went on to play five Central League games in the 1953/54 season. While on National Service he was earning the statutory £1 per week with Blackpool.
He returned to Bloomfield Road in January 1955 after demobilisation and re signed for Blackpool as a full time professional. Having played his first Central League game of the 1954/55 season against Preston North End reserves on 9 October 1954 when Blackpool lost 1-0, he scored his first Central League goal for the club in a 3-1 victory over Barnsley reserves on 30 April 1955. It was to be his only goal in six Central League appearances that season.
After scoring one of Blackpool’s goals in a 5-3 victory over Burnley reserves on 8 October 1955 he became a regular in the Central League side and by December 1955 he was at last said to be fulfilling his promise as an inside forward. And although he had scored only two goals in 11 games, he was said to have been making many goals with his intelligent passes and non stop industry.
His initial first team appearance was in a friendly game against Hull City on 28 January 1956 when Blackpool drew 5 5 and he 'showed promise as a tricky inside forward.' Along with this friendly game, he played 28 Central League games, scoring six goals, in the 1955/56 season.
He started the 1956/57 season as the regular inside right in the Central League side, scoring one of the goals in a 5-0 victory over Leeds United reserves on 18 August 1956. And he scored two goals in a Central League game for the first time in a 6-3 victory over Derby County reserves on 8 September 1956.
With Blackpool regularly fielding four, sometimes five, international players in their forward line, breaking into the first team was not easy. However, he made his First Division debut at inside right against Burnley on 6 October 1956 when Ernie Taylor dropped out through illness on the morning of the game. Sensationally he opened the scoring within three minutes, as the game was eventually drawn 2 2. It was to be his only League game of the season but he did play 35 Central League games, scoring 10 goals, in the 1956/57 season.
After playing the one League game and 75 Central League games, scoring 17 goals, due to their strength in depth Blackpool were prepared to give him a free transfer in April 1957. And Bradford Park Avenue opened talks for his transfer in early May 1957 and he was transferred to that club for a fee of £2,000, payable in instalments, £1,000 on 30 September 1957 and £250 on each of 19 March 1958, 29 March 1958, 29 April 1958 and 1 September 1958, on 20 May 1957.
He scored four goals for Bradford in a 29-minute spell at Gateshead thus becoming the first player from the club to score four times in an away fixture. But, after 45 League games and 14 goals for Bradford, he was transferred to Workington in June 1959. He went on to play 30 League games and score 13 goals for Workington.
Workington transferred him to Southport on 8 July 1960 and he played 26 games and scored seven goals for the Sandgrounders before joining then non-league Wigan Athletic for the 1961/62 season. He later played for Hereford United, 1963/64, and Clifton Casuals, 1968 71.
He was always interested in motor racing and, in addition to his football, he also became a racing driver but in 1964 he suffered a punctured lung and a smashed shoulder in a crash in a Lotus Elan. Undeterred, on recovery he continued his interest in the world of vintage and racing cars and he continued his racing career. He also suffered superficial burns when he crashed at Nurburgring in 1992.
He died on 7 November 2015 after a lengthy illness.
Blackpool, then a top First Division side, signed him on amateur forms in May 1951 when manager Joe Smith said that he expected him to make the grade but did not want to push him too early. Kenny was following in his father's footsteps for he was the son of former Blackpool wing half Bobby Booth.
He played for the club’s junior teams in his early days at Bloomfield Road and he was the youngest player and 'the best inside forward' on the field in the Blackpool ‘B’ side’s 5-1 victory over Burnley ‘B’ early in the 1951/52 season. The local press comment was 'The maturity of his football considering his age – and he is still only 16 – is out of the common.'
While an amateur at Blackpool he worked at the Publicity Department at Blackpool Town Hall but he gave up the job when Blackpool signed him as a full time professional on 16 January 1952. Later that year he suffered a badly broken ankle, which hampered his progress somewhat.
He joined the RAF to undertake his National Service on 19 January 1953 but he was still able to make his Central League debut for Blackpool at inside left in a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion reserves on 30 March 1953. It was his only senior game of the season. However, at the close of the 1952/53 season he was regarded as one of 'the best of all prospects' and one 'destined to win fame', along with Dave Durie, Billy Wright, Stanley Hepton and Cyril Robinson.
Still on National Service, he made his reappearance in the Central League side at inside right against Barnsley reserves on 19 December 1953 when Blackpool lost 2-1 and he went on to play five Central League games in the 1953/54 season. While on National Service he was earning the statutory £1 per week with Blackpool.
He returned to Bloomfield Road in January 1955 after demobilisation and re signed for Blackpool as a full time professional. Having played his first Central League game of the 1954/55 season against Preston North End reserves on 9 October 1954 when Blackpool lost 1-0, he scored his first Central League goal for the club in a 3-1 victory over Barnsley reserves on 30 April 1955. It was to be his only goal in six Central League appearances that season.
After scoring one of Blackpool’s goals in a 5-3 victory over Burnley reserves on 8 October 1955 he became a regular in the Central League side and by December 1955 he was at last said to be fulfilling his promise as an inside forward. And although he had scored only two goals in 11 games, he was said to have been making many goals with his intelligent passes and non stop industry.
His initial first team appearance was in a friendly game against Hull City on 28 January 1956 when Blackpool drew 5 5 and he 'showed promise as a tricky inside forward.' Along with this friendly game, he played 28 Central League games, scoring six goals, in the 1955/56 season.
He started the 1956/57 season as the regular inside right in the Central League side, scoring one of the goals in a 5-0 victory over Leeds United reserves on 18 August 1956. And he scored two goals in a Central League game for the first time in a 6-3 victory over Derby County reserves on 8 September 1956.
With Blackpool regularly fielding four, sometimes five, international players in their forward line, breaking into the first team was not easy. However, he made his First Division debut at inside right against Burnley on 6 October 1956 when Ernie Taylor dropped out through illness on the morning of the game. Sensationally he opened the scoring within three minutes, as the game was eventually drawn 2 2. It was to be his only League game of the season but he did play 35 Central League games, scoring 10 goals, in the 1956/57 season.
After playing the one League game and 75 Central League games, scoring 17 goals, due to their strength in depth Blackpool were prepared to give him a free transfer in April 1957. And Bradford Park Avenue opened talks for his transfer in early May 1957 and he was transferred to that club for a fee of £2,000, payable in instalments, £1,000 on 30 September 1957 and £250 on each of 19 March 1958, 29 March 1958, 29 April 1958 and 1 September 1958, on 20 May 1957.
He scored four goals for Bradford in a 29-minute spell at Gateshead thus becoming the first player from the club to score four times in an away fixture. But, after 45 League games and 14 goals for Bradford, he was transferred to Workington in June 1959. He went on to play 30 League games and score 13 goals for Workington.
Workington transferred him to Southport on 8 July 1960 and he played 26 games and scored seven goals for the Sandgrounders before joining then non-league Wigan Athletic for the 1961/62 season. He later played for Hereford United, 1963/64, and Clifton Casuals, 1968 71.
He was always interested in motor racing and, in addition to his football, he also became a racing driver but in 1964 he suffered a punctured lung and a smashed shoulder in a crash in a Lotus Elan. Undeterred, on recovery he continued his interest in the world of vintage and racing cars and he continued his racing career. He also suffered superficial burns when he crashed at Nurburgring in 1992.
He died on 7 November 2015 after a lengthy illness.
August 24, 2015
BEYOND THE PAIN BARRIER
Fourth Test, England v Australia, Trent Bridge: First Day Australia 60, England 274-4
The excitement of the Ashes series had been somewhat dissipated for me following an innocuous, but disastrous, fall on Sunday 2 August, the weekend before the Fourth Test was due to begin at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
An ambulance ride to the Accident and Emergency Unit of Blackpool Victoria Hospital was followed by the revelation that I had done serious damage; I had ruptured the two tendons above my knee, which meant that my right leg was totally useless.
This meant hospitalisation to be followed by major surgery in sewing together the ruptured tendons. The surgery was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 4 August but due to pressure on the operating theatre this was put back to the Wednesday. However, the same situation developed on Wednesday so the operation was once more rescheduled for the Thursday.
It was then that I realised that the Fourth Test was due to begin that day and, even though I was in great pain and wanted some sort of relief, I was slightly miffed that I would not be able to follow the Test if I were to go down to the theatre. And because I was lucky enough to be in a private room, with television and Freeview (but no Sky to follow the live action) I realised that I could listen to the action on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra via Test Match Special.
Now, on a slightly brighter note, there is nothing to match the excitement of an Ashes Test series and it could be argued that the true examination of cricketing ability is provided by Test match cricket. And there is no contest in the game that comes close to the tradition and rivalry associated with Anglo-Australian battles. So, at least, I thought that I would perhaps be able to hear the start of the match before the doctors got down to the real work.
I was a little excited, muted by the nagging pain in my leg, for this particular series had been bubbling under all along. England won the First Test, Australia won the Second Test and England won the Third Test. Was it to be 2-2 or 3-1? For what was very evident by the way the two teams had performed in the previous games, there was no way it could possibly remain 2-1; this would mean that the Fourth Test was drawn and the way the two teams had played in the previous three, this was a distinct impossibility - weather permitting of course.
Morning dawned, I was still frightened to death at the thought of the operation but at least I could relax a little and listen to some cricket before the action on my knee began. Of course, with an operation scheduled it was Nil By Mouth so by the time the preliminaries began on Test Match Special I was parched and rather hungry. Never mind, the cricket would take my mind off that for some time I thought.
According to the commentary there was a greenish tinge to the pitch and a thin cover of cloud overhead so it was perhaps no surprise to hear that once Alistair Cook had won the toss, he chose to put Australia in to bat. However, there were those around who thought it a decided gamble, akin to Ricky Ponting's fateful decision at Edgbaston in 2005.
There was one change in the Australian side in that Shaun Marsh, a batsman, had replaced his brother, Mitchell, an all-rounder, while England fielded an unchanged side. In the absence of James Anderson, Stuart Broad opened the bowling and conceded four leg byes before, with his third ball, he had Chris Rogers caught at first slip by Cook; 4-1. Commentator Henry Blofeld, a particular friend and favourite of mine, was ecstatic.
In came the in-form Steve Smith, Australia's captain elect, and with a couple and a boundary from his first two balls he looked in good nick. However the last ball of the over had him playing chest-on to Broad with the result being a catch to Joe Root at third slip; 10-2 off one over and, my dear old thing, Henry Blofeld's commentary went up a notch!
Mark Wood opened the bowling at the other end and from his second ball the dangerous David Warner had a ball jagging back at him that he could only get an inside edge to and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler took the catch; 10-3, eight balls gone and Henry's commentary took on new heights!
Shaun Marsh and skipper Michael Clarke weathered the storm for eight balls before another seaming ball from Broad found the edge of Marsh's bat and Ian Bell at second slip took the catch; 15-4 after 2.4 overs and Henry was about to explode. So was I and it was about this time that I thought that it might be better if the operation were to be delayed another day and then I would be able to stick with the action ... not that I thought there would be any further sensations just yet. How wrong could I be?
Adam Voges joined Clarke and the pair took the total to the dizzy heights of 21 before the former fell to an absolutely sensational catch. Pushing forward at Broad, the ball flew off the edge of Voges' bat and was flashing past Ben Stokes at fifth slip when the fielder stuck out his right hand and plucked the ball out of the air one-handed almost as it were past him; 21-5, 28 minutes, and only 25 balls gone. At least Henry had done his commentating stint for the moment so he could go off air and relax and regain his cool after the sensational happenings up to that point. Broad, by the way, had looked on in absolute disbelief as Stokes took the catch; his face was an absolute picture as he followed through and went to congratulate the catcher.
Clarke was the next to go when he saw a half volley from Broad and decided that he would counter-attack. Unfortunately for the Australian captain his execution of the shot was sadly lacking and he only succeeded in edging through to Cook at first slip; 29-5, 39 minutes and 37 balls gone. Broad had by then taken the fastest five-wicket haul in Ashes history, in just 19 balls, which beat Vernon Philander's 25-ball haul against New Zealand in 2013.
With Peter Nevill and Mitchell Johnson at the crease, the total limped on to 33 before Steve Finn, who had replaced Wood, got in the action. He nipped a ball back on Nevill and it shot through the gap between bat and pad to bowl him for two; 33-7, 56 balls and 54 minutes gone and it was Finn's 99th Test wicket.
Mitchell Starc joined Johnston but, although the latter struck two boundaries, the pair were only together for 17 minutes before the former became Broad's sixth victim when he edged a good length ball to Root at third slip; 46-8, 76 balls and 71 minutes gone and the pain in my leg was certainly at the back of my mind for a while!
Next man in Josh Hazlewood took a single off his first ball but from the following ball Johnston perished. Just like Starc he, too, edged a full length ball into the waiting hands of Root at third slip; 47-9, 78 balls and 74 minutes gone and the commentary box was in uproar.
Last man Nathan Lyon joined Josh Hazlewood and the pair put on the best stand of the innings, albeit a measly 13 but it did survive for 33 balls, more than the first five wickets put together. Lyon struck two boundaries but then Broad enticed him to push hard-handed, as all his team-mates had done, and Stokes caught him at sixth slip for nine; 60 all out with Hazlewood not out four and the innings was all over after 18.3 overs and 99 minutes.
Broad had figures of 9.3-5-15-8 and he was supported by Wood, 1-13, and Finn, 1-21. In addition, Broad had begun the day with 299 Test wickets so not only had he taken his 300th, but he had also joined Fred Trueman as the fourth most successful English bowler in Test cricket with 307 wickets.
England went in to lunch without losing a wicket, 13-0, and, although two quick ones were lost in the early afternoon, Cook, Root and Bairstow made it very much England's day.
As the players went in to lunch, I was still parched and hungry but as they came out for the after-lunch session I had an apologetic doctor enter my room to say that the operation was put off until the following day. At least I could eat and drink and also enjoy the remainder of the day's play.
After lunch all the talk on the radio was of England's sensational morning so the reply took something of a back seat. That is until Adam Lyth, 14, edged Starc through to Nevill and it was 32-1. That quickly became 34-2 when Bell, one, fell leg before wicket to Starc but that was the end of the action for a while as Cook and Root took England into the lead and on to 96 before the third wicket fell. That was skipper Cook who was trapped in front of his stumps by a non-swinging Yorker from Starc for 43.
The two Yorkshiremen Root and Bairstow then took control and raced along, adding 173 for the fourth wicket. Bairstow, looking set for a century, was the man dismissed at 269 when he shovelled Hazlewood to Rogers at square leg when on 74.
Root passed his century with his 17th four from 128 balls and at the close was 124 not out from 158 balls with 19 fours and one six. Nightwatchman Wood, two not out, was his partner as England closed on 274-4, an astonishing lead of 214 runs.
There were some remarkable statistics from the day's play:
a) It was only the third time that a team had bowled first and had been batting by lunch on the first day of a Test; one of the previous occasions was in 1896.
b) Australia's total was their lowest in an Ashes Test since their 58 in the second innings at Brisbane in 1936.
c) It was the first time that extras had been the top scorer in an Ashes Test; there were 14, 11 leg byes and three no balls.
d) The 18.3 overs that the innings lasted is the fewest number of overs bowled in the first innings of a Test match.
e) Stuart Broad's 8-15 was the third cheapest eight-wicket return in Tests, only beaten by George Lohmann, 8-7 in 1896, and Johnny Briggs, 8-11 in 1889.
f) Stuart Broad's five wickets in his first 19 balls is the quickest five-for haul at the start of a Test match.
g) Joe Root is one of only two batsmen who have scored twice as many as the whole opposition (124 to 60) on the opening day of a Test.
h) Chris Rogers duck was his first in Test cricket (after 46 innings) and hands the record for the longest Test career without a duck back to Australia's Jimmy Burke whose record is 44 innings.
i) Stuart Broad's eight wickets was the first time that a seam bowler has taken so many wickets without one of them being caught behind by the wicketkeeper.
j) From the fifth wicket onwards, it was the earliest, in number of balls, that those wickets had fallen in Tests.
So an intriguing day was over; it was very definitely a case of 'Beyond the Pain Barrier' for I was absorbed with it all through the day - and then I watched the tragic highlights on television when a friend of mine was visiting who did not know the score. He arrived with England 93-2 and he thought that the start had been delayed and that was why it was such a low total. Only when the commentator said, 'England now have a lead of 33' did he question what was going on - needless to say, he couldn't really believe it.
Epilogue: I did listen to the first hour the following day but was then taken to the theatre and was away for almost three hours. When I came back the radio was still on but I was not in a position to fully follow what was happening. By the close of play I had come round a little so could appreciate that the Ashes were almost won. England duly won the Trent Bridge Test by an innings and 78 runs as Australia replied to England's 391 with 253 in their second innings.
The excitement of the Ashes series had been somewhat dissipated for me following an innocuous, but disastrous, fall on Sunday 2 August, the weekend before the Fourth Test was due to begin at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
An ambulance ride to the Accident and Emergency Unit of Blackpool Victoria Hospital was followed by the revelation that I had done serious damage; I had ruptured the two tendons above my knee, which meant that my right leg was totally useless.
This meant hospitalisation to be followed by major surgery in sewing together the ruptured tendons. The surgery was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 4 August but due to pressure on the operating theatre this was put back to the Wednesday. However, the same situation developed on Wednesday so the operation was once more rescheduled for the Thursday.
It was then that I realised that the Fourth Test was due to begin that day and, even though I was in great pain and wanted some sort of relief, I was slightly miffed that I would not be able to follow the Test if I were to go down to the theatre. And because I was lucky enough to be in a private room, with television and Freeview (but no Sky to follow the live action) I realised that I could listen to the action on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra via Test Match Special.
Now, on a slightly brighter note, there is nothing to match the excitement of an Ashes Test series and it could be argued that the true examination of cricketing ability is provided by Test match cricket. And there is no contest in the game that comes close to the tradition and rivalry associated with Anglo-Australian battles. So, at least, I thought that I would perhaps be able to hear the start of the match before the doctors got down to the real work.
I was a little excited, muted by the nagging pain in my leg, for this particular series had been bubbling under all along. England won the First Test, Australia won the Second Test and England won the Third Test. Was it to be 2-2 or 3-1? For what was very evident by the way the two teams had performed in the previous games, there was no way it could possibly remain 2-1; this would mean that the Fourth Test was drawn and the way the two teams had played in the previous three, this was a distinct impossibility - weather permitting of course.
Morning dawned, I was still frightened to death at the thought of the operation but at least I could relax a little and listen to some cricket before the action on my knee began. Of course, with an operation scheduled it was Nil By Mouth so by the time the preliminaries began on Test Match Special I was parched and rather hungry. Never mind, the cricket would take my mind off that for some time I thought.
According to the commentary there was a greenish tinge to the pitch and a thin cover of cloud overhead so it was perhaps no surprise to hear that once Alistair Cook had won the toss, he chose to put Australia in to bat. However, there were those around who thought it a decided gamble, akin to Ricky Ponting's fateful decision at Edgbaston in 2005.
There was one change in the Australian side in that Shaun Marsh, a batsman, had replaced his brother, Mitchell, an all-rounder, while England fielded an unchanged side. In the absence of James Anderson, Stuart Broad opened the bowling and conceded four leg byes before, with his third ball, he had Chris Rogers caught at first slip by Cook; 4-1. Commentator Henry Blofeld, a particular friend and favourite of mine, was ecstatic.
In came the in-form Steve Smith, Australia's captain elect, and with a couple and a boundary from his first two balls he looked in good nick. However the last ball of the over had him playing chest-on to Broad with the result being a catch to Joe Root at third slip; 10-2 off one over and, my dear old thing, Henry Blofeld's commentary went up a notch!
Mark Wood opened the bowling at the other end and from his second ball the dangerous David Warner had a ball jagging back at him that he could only get an inside edge to and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler took the catch; 10-3, eight balls gone and Henry's commentary took on new heights!
Shaun Marsh and skipper Michael Clarke weathered the storm for eight balls before another seaming ball from Broad found the edge of Marsh's bat and Ian Bell at second slip took the catch; 15-4 after 2.4 overs and Henry was about to explode. So was I and it was about this time that I thought that it might be better if the operation were to be delayed another day and then I would be able to stick with the action ... not that I thought there would be any further sensations just yet. How wrong could I be?
Adam Voges joined Clarke and the pair took the total to the dizzy heights of 21 before the former fell to an absolutely sensational catch. Pushing forward at Broad, the ball flew off the edge of Voges' bat and was flashing past Ben Stokes at fifth slip when the fielder stuck out his right hand and plucked the ball out of the air one-handed almost as it were past him; 21-5, 28 minutes, and only 25 balls gone. At least Henry had done his commentating stint for the moment so he could go off air and relax and regain his cool after the sensational happenings up to that point. Broad, by the way, had looked on in absolute disbelief as Stokes took the catch; his face was an absolute picture as he followed through and went to congratulate the catcher.
Clarke was the next to go when he saw a half volley from Broad and decided that he would counter-attack. Unfortunately for the Australian captain his execution of the shot was sadly lacking and he only succeeded in edging through to Cook at first slip; 29-5, 39 minutes and 37 balls gone. Broad had by then taken the fastest five-wicket haul in Ashes history, in just 19 balls, which beat Vernon Philander's 25-ball haul against New Zealand in 2013.
With Peter Nevill and Mitchell Johnson at the crease, the total limped on to 33 before Steve Finn, who had replaced Wood, got in the action. He nipped a ball back on Nevill and it shot through the gap between bat and pad to bowl him for two; 33-7, 56 balls and 54 minutes gone and it was Finn's 99th Test wicket.
Mitchell Starc joined Johnston but, although the latter struck two boundaries, the pair were only together for 17 minutes before the former became Broad's sixth victim when he edged a good length ball to Root at third slip; 46-8, 76 balls and 71 minutes gone and the pain in my leg was certainly at the back of my mind for a while!
Next man in Josh Hazlewood took a single off his first ball but from the following ball Johnston perished. Just like Starc he, too, edged a full length ball into the waiting hands of Root at third slip; 47-9, 78 balls and 74 minutes gone and the commentary box was in uproar.
Last man Nathan Lyon joined Josh Hazlewood and the pair put on the best stand of the innings, albeit a measly 13 but it did survive for 33 balls, more than the first five wickets put together. Lyon struck two boundaries but then Broad enticed him to push hard-handed, as all his team-mates had done, and Stokes caught him at sixth slip for nine; 60 all out with Hazlewood not out four and the innings was all over after 18.3 overs and 99 minutes.
Broad had figures of 9.3-5-15-8 and he was supported by Wood, 1-13, and Finn, 1-21. In addition, Broad had begun the day with 299 Test wickets so not only had he taken his 300th, but he had also joined Fred Trueman as the fourth most successful English bowler in Test cricket with 307 wickets.
England went in to lunch without losing a wicket, 13-0, and, although two quick ones were lost in the early afternoon, Cook, Root and Bairstow made it very much England's day.
As the players went in to lunch, I was still parched and hungry but as they came out for the after-lunch session I had an apologetic doctor enter my room to say that the operation was put off until the following day. At least I could eat and drink and also enjoy the remainder of the day's play.
After lunch all the talk on the radio was of England's sensational morning so the reply took something of a back seat. That is until Adam Lyth, 14, edged Starc through to Nevill and it was 32-1. That quickly became 34-2 when Bell, one, fell leg before wicket to Starc but that was the end of the action for a while as Cook and Root took England into the lead and on to 96 before the third wicket fell. That was skipper Cook who was trapped in front of his stumps by a non-swinging Yorker from Starc for 43.
The two Yorkshiremen Root and Bairstow then took control and raced along, adding 173 for the fourth wicket. Bairstow, looking set for a century, was the man dismissed at 269 when he shovelled Hazlewood to Rogers at square leg when on 74.
Root passed his century with his 17th four from 128 balls and at the close was 124 not out from 158 balls with 19 fours and one six. Nightwatchman Wood, two not out, was his partner as England closed on 274-4, an astonishing lead of 214 runs.
There were some remarkable statistics from the day's play:
a) It was only the third time that a team had bowled first and had been batting by lunch on the first day of a Test; one of the previous occasions was in 1896.
b) Australia's total was their lowest in an Ashes Test since their 58 in the second innings at Brisbane in 1936.
c) It was the first time that extras had been the top scorer in an Ashes Test; there were 14, 11 leg byes and three no balls.
d) The 18.3 overs that the innings lasted is the fewest number of overs bowled in the first innings of a Test match.
e) Stuart Broad's 8-15 was the third cheapest eight-wicket return in Tests, only beaten by George Lohmann, 8-7 in 1896, and Johnny Briggs, 8-11 in 1889.
f) Stuart Broad's five wickets in his first 19 balls is the quickest five-for haul at the start of a Test match.
g) Joe Root is one of only two batsmen who have scored twice as many as the whole opposition (124 to 60) on the opening day of a Test.
h) Chris Rogers duck was his first in Test cricket (after 46 innings) and hands the record for the longest Test career without a duck back to Australia's Jimmy Burke whose record is 44 innings.
i) Stuart Broad's eight wickets was the first time that a seam bowler has taken so many wickets without one of them being caught behind by the wicketkeeper.
j) From the fifth wicket onwards, it was the earliest, in number of balls, that those wickets had fallen in Tests.
So an intriguing day was over; it was very definitely a case of 'Beyond the Pain Barrier' for I was absorbed with it all through the day - and then I watched the tragic highlights on television when a friend of mine was visiting who did not know the score. He arrived with England 93-2 and he thought that the start had been delayed and that was why it was such a low total. Only when the commentator said, 'England now have a lead of 33' did he question what was going on - needless to say, he couldn't really believe it.
Epilogue: I did listen to the first hour the following day but was then taken to the theatre and was away for almost three hours. When I came back the radio was still on but I was not in a position to fully follow what was happening. By the close of play I had come round a little so could appreciate that the Ashes were almost won. England duly won the Trent Bridge Test by an innings and 78 runs as Australia replied to England's 391 with 253 in their second innings.
July 30, 2015
A CLOSE RUN AFFAIR
Middlesex 161, Lancashire 162-8
On a surprisingly sunny day in view of the two previous days' rain and the paucity of the summer so far Lancashire County Cricket Club returned to Blackpool's Stanley Park for a Royal London One-Day Cup tie against Middlesex. And in a relatively low scoring but pulsating game Lancashire came out on top by two wickets, successfully chasing down Middlesex's modest total of 161.
As the 10-30am start time approached the crowd inside was growing steadily and spectators were still queuing around the ground when umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Neil Bainton walked out to the middle to be followed by the Lancashire side, whose captain Stephen Croft had won the toss and elected to field.
Sam Robson and Dawid Malan opened the Middlesex innings to the bowling of Tom Bailey and Gavin Griffiths, both who produced some hostile bowling in their opening overs. Malan had struck three boundaries in his 14 when he was the first to go when he got an outside edge to a rising ball from Bailey and was caught by wicketkeeper Alex Davies with the total on 19.
It was Bailey who struck twice more in relatively quick succession, first forcing Robson, 14, to play on at 28 and then having Nick Compton, six, caught by Jordan Clark with the total on 36. Skipper Eoin Morgan and New Zealand Test player James Franklin began to rebuild the innings as they were faced with the change bowling of Clark and Australian James Faulkner. They succeeded in putting on 31 before Morgan, who had looked comfortable in reaching 17, could not withdraw his bat in time and the resultant edge flew through to Davies: 67-4.
One run and six balls later Nick Gubbins, one, wafted at a ball from Clark only for it to fly straight into the hands of Paul Horton at second slip. With the total on 74 he was followed to the pavilion by Franklin who skied a catch to Bailey when he had made 12 and this gave Griffiths his first wicket for Lancashire in one-day cricket.
Wicketkeeper John Simpson, Lancashire-born, and James Harris decided that they had to consolidate so the scoring rate dropped while they concentrated on getting Middlesex to a reasonable total for at 83-7 it was looking very likely that they would barely reach three figures. The pair took their side beyond that landmark and succeeded in taking the total to 111 before Croft introduced spin in the form of himself and Stephen Parry. And it was Croft who made the breakthrough, trapping the crease-bound Simpson leg before wicket for a hard-fought 20.
Parry meanwhile was somewhat wayward and Harris and Toby Roland-Jones took full advantage of his short-pitched bowling. The pair took their ninth wicket partnership to 50 before, with overs running out, Roland-Jones, 19, tried one lofted drive too many and it landed right in the hands of Griffiths at a wide long-on off Parry, who had changed ends and returned to the attack.
The batsmen had crossed as the ball was in the air so Harris, 32, took the following ball from Parry only to sky a catch to Ashwell Prince at mid-wicket and Middlesex were all out for 161 with three overs and one ball of their 50 overs remaining. For Lancashire Bailey was the most successful bowler, returning 3-31 from his 10 overs but all the bowlers took wickets. Faulkner had 2-27, Parry 2-34 from an expensive 5.5 overs, Griffiths 1-28 and Croft 1-7 from three overs.
It was not the most demanding of totals for Lancashire to chase but there had been some uneven bounce with balls alternatively being taken by the wicketkeeper over head high and then shooting through low forcing the batsmen to dab down on the ball. But it was not the pitch that accounted for the wickets, it was mainly poor shot selection by the batsmen.
Karl Brown and Prince opened for Lancashire in front of an appreciative and expectant crowd of around 2,500 but they were quickly parted as Prince, one, crashed a ball straight to Compton at point with the total on only four. One South African replaced another as Alviro Peterson went to the crease and he and Brown took toll of some loose bowling by Roland-Jones, with Brown in particular driving most beautifully through the off-side. One shot off Middlesex debutant Junaid Khan, who was bowling extremely fast, was particularly scintillating as it flashed to the boundary much to the delight of the crowd.
Peterson had made 14 when he drove Harris into the safe hands of Morgan and it was 49-2. That became 59-3 when Brown, seven fours in his 36, was deceived by Khan and edged a catch to Rayner at slip. Croft made three when he was surprised to see the umpire's finger raised when Simpson appealed for a catch behind the wicket off Khan so he had to depart at 63-4. Middlesex were fighting back as Morgan marshalled his troops extremely effectively.
There was a slight hiatus for the visitors while Paul Horton and Faulkner put on 29 before the former held his bat out to dry and was comfortably taken at slip by Rayner off Franklin for 18. Davies had added the one run to take the total to 93 when the persevering Roland-Jones returned and had him caught behind by Simpson. Middlesex were suddenly feeling in the ascendancy. But Faulkner and Clark soon put a dent in their hopes but not without one heart-stopping moment.
With the total on 100, Clark at the non-striker's end called for a single when the ball went backward of square, Faulkner failed to acknowledge his call and suddenly both batsmen were at one end. As the batsmen were deciding what to do the fielder at backward short leg did not gather the ball cleanly but when he did he threw it to the wicketkeeper. But Clark was in his crease and Faulkner was just setting off for the run; it looked odds on for a run out. However, almost inexplicably it took an eternity for the ball to be thrown to the other end with Faulkner desperately trying to make his ground. That he did so was almost a miracle as the Middlesex bowler fumbled with the ball giving Faulkner just time to ground his bat. It was to prove the turning point of the game.
The pair then continued more serenely and by the time they were parted the game was almost in the bag. They had taken the total to 140 when Faulkner played unnecessarily at a wide ball from Khan and he was gone for a very good 35. And at 147 Clark, 29, was caught by Franklin off Harris and Middlesex just glimpsed a glimmer of hope with only two wickets to fall and 15 runs still required.
But it was to be a false dawn for Parry, nine not out, and Bailey, five not out, saw Lancashire home with no further alarms at 162-8 with two overs unused. Khan was Middlesex's most successful bowler with a fine 3-32 from his 10 rapid overs and there were two wickets each for Harris and Franklin, for 26 and 31 runs respectively, while Roland-Jones returned 1-47. Rayner went wicketless, 0-20 from seven overs, but his nagging short of a length off-spin had contributed to Lancashire's late discomfort.
It was very definitely a day for the bowlers but while the crowd went home happy with the result one of the umpires was spotted demonstrating to ground staff that the track had produced uneven bounce, much to the consternation of the batsmen.
And, although a stiff breeze had got up, the sun was still shining as the crowd made their way out of the ground.
On a surprisingly sunny day in view of the two previous days' rain and the paucity of the summer so far Lancashire County Cricket Club returned to Blackpool's Stanley Park for a Royal London One-Day Cup tie against Middlesex. And in a relatively low scoring but pulsating game Lancashire came out on top by two wickets, successfully chasing down Middlesex's modest total of 161.
As the 10-30am start time approached the crowd inside was growing steadily and spectators were still queuing around the ground when umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Neil Bainton walked out to the middle to be followed by the Lancashire side, whose captain Stephen Croft had won the toss and elected to field.
Sam Robson and Dawid Malan opened the Middlesex innings to the bowling of Tom Bailey and Gavin Griffiths, both who produced some hostile bowling in their opening overs. Malan had struck three boundaries in his 14 when he was the first to go when he got an outside edge to a rising ball from Bailey and was caught by wicketkeeper Alex Davies with the total on 19.
It was Bailey who struck twice more in relatively quick succession, first forcing Robson, 14, to play on at 28 and then having Nick Compton, six, caught by Jordan Clark with the total on 36. Skipper Eoin Morgan and New Zealand Test player James Franklin began to rebuild the innings as they were faced with the change bowling of Clark and Australian James Faulkner. They succeeded in putting on 31 before Morgan, who had looked comfortable in reaching 17, could not withdraw his bat in time and the resultant edge flew through to Davies: 67-4.
One run and six balls later Nick Gubbins, one, wafted at a ball from Clark only for it to fly straight into the hands of Paul Horton at second slip. With the total on 74 he was followed to the pavilion by Franklin who skied a catch to Bailey when he had made 12 and this gave Griffiths his first wicket for Lancashire in one-day cricket.
Wicketkeeper John Simpson, Lancashire-born, and James Harris decided that they had to consolidate so the scoring rate dropped while they concentrated on getting Middlesex to a reasonable total for at 83-7 it was looking very likely that they would barely reach three figures. The pair took their side beyond that landmark and succeeded in taking the total to 111 before Croft introduced spin in the form of himself and Stephen Parry. And it was Croft who made the breakthrough, trapping the crease-bound Simpson leg before wicket for a hard-fought 20.
Parry meanwhile was somewhat wayward and Harris and Toby Roland-Jones took full advantage of his short-pitched bowling. The pair took their ninth wicket partnership to 50 before, with overs running out, Roland-Jones, 19, tried one lofted drive too many and it landed right in the hands of Griffiths at a wide long-on off Parry, who had changed ends and returned to the attack.
The batsmen had crossed as the ball was in the air so Harris, 32, took the following ball from Parry only to sky a catch to Ashwell Prince at mid-wicket and Middlesex were all out for 161 with three overs and one ball of their 50 overs remaining. For Lancashire Bailey was the most successful bowler, returning 3-31 from his 10 overs but all the bowlers took wickets. Faulkner had 2-27, Parry 2-34 from an expensive 5.5 overs, Griffiths 1-28 and Croft 1-7 from three overs.
It was not the most demanding of totals for Lancashire to chase but there had been some uneven bounce with balls alternatively being taken by the wicketkeeper over head high and then shooting through low forcing the batsmen to dab down on the ball. But it was not the pitch that accounted for the wickets, it was mainly poor shot selection by the batsmen.
Karl Brown and Prince opened for Lancashire in front of an appreciative and expectant crowd of around 2,500 but they were quickly parted as Prince, one, crashed a ball straight to Compton at point with the total on only four. One South African replaced another as Alviro Peterson went to the crease and he and Brown took toll of some loose bowling by Roland-Jones, with Brown in particular driving most beautifully through the off-side. One shot off Middlesex debutant Junaid Khan, who was bowling extremely fast, was particularly scintillating as it flashed to the boundary much to the delight of the crowd.
Peterson had made 14 when he drove Harris into the safe hands of Morgan and it was 49-2. That became 59-3 when Brown, seven fours in his 36, was deceived by Khan and edged a catch to Rayner at slip. Croft made three when he was surprised to see the umpire's finger raised when Simpson appealed for a catch behind the wicket off Khan so he had to depart at 63-4. Middlesex were fighting back as Morgan marshalled his troops extremely effectively.
There was a slight hiatus for the visitors while Paul Horton and Faulkner put on 29 before the former held his bat out to dry and was comfortably taken at slip by Rayner off Franklin for 18. Davies had added the one run to take the total to 93 when the persevering Roland-Jones returned and had him caught behind by Simpson. Middlesex were suddenly feeling in the ascendancy. But Faulkner and Clark soon put a dent in their hopes but not without one heart-stopping moment.
With the total on 100, Clark at the non-striker's end called for a single when the ball went backward of square, Faulkner failed to acknowledge his call and suddenly both batsmen were at one end. As the batsmen were deciding what to do the fielder at backward short leg did not gather the ball cleanly but when he did he threw it to the wicketkeeper. But Clark was in his crease and Faulkner was just setting off for the run; it looked odds on for a run out. However, almost inexplicably it took an eternity for the ball to be thrown to the other end with Faulkner desperately trying to make his ground. That he did so was almost a miracle as the Middlesex bowler fumbled with the ball giving Faulkner just time to ground his bat. It was to prove the turning point of the game.
The pair then continued more serenely and by the time they were parted the game was almost in the bag. They had taken the total to 140 when Faulkner played unnecessarily at a wide ball from Khan and he was gone for a very good 35. And at 147 Clark, 29, was caught by Franklin off Harris and Middlesex just glimpsed a glimmer of hope with only two wickets to fall and 15 runs still required.
But it was to be a false dawn for Parry, nine not out, and Bailey, five not out, saw Lancashire home with no further alarms at 162-8 with two overs unused. Khan was Middlesex's most successful bowler with a fine 3-32 from his 10 rapid overs and there were two wickets each for Harris and Franklin, for 26 and 31 runs respectively, while Roland-Jones returned 1-47. Rayner went wicketless, 0-20 from seven overs, but his nagging short of a length off-spin had contributed to Lancashire's late discomfort.
It was very definitely a day for the bowlers but while the crowd went home happy with the result one of the umpires was spotted demonstrating to ground staff that the track had produced uneven bounce, much to the consternation of the batsmen.
And, although a stiff breeze had got up, the sun was still shining as the crowd made their way out of the ground.
July 22, 2015
A South African Flier!
Desmond Tolton (Des) Horne 1939-2015
Des Horne was born in Durban, South Africa, on 12 December 1939. He was an outside left who played his football with Durban Railway FC and he had also played representative football for Natal. He was spotted by scouts from Wolverhampton Wanderers and duly signed for the club as a junior before signing as a professional in December 1956. He was later to say, 'A guy called Billy Butler, who also played a big part in getting Eddie Stuart [another Wolves' player] over here, fixed me up with a trial at Wolves in 1956. It wasn’t that big a gamble because the club paid for me to come over and I had interest from Portsmouth and Blackpool as well. But I obviously made a decent impression because they signed me as a professional when I turned 17.' He was in the Wolves side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1957/58 and also played a few League games when the club retained the First Division title in the 1958/59 season. He went on to play 52 League and Cup games and score 18 goals for the club, also winning an FA Cup winners medal in 1960 in the 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers (I happened to be at that game as a youngster).
He was signed by Blackpool for a fee of £15,000 on 15 March 1961, literally within a few hours of being told of Blackpool’s interest in him. His weekly wage at Blackpool was to be £17 in the summer and £20 in the winter. And I well remember the day he signed for I was getting off the bus on my way home from school when I spotted an Evening Gazette poster stating, BLACKPOOL SIGN INTERNATIONAL STAR. I rushed home to read the newspaper expecting to find that the club had signed an English international only to discover that he was international because he was a South African. He certainly did not disappoint during his time at Bloomfield Road!
At the time of his transfer he said, 'I suppose I should have got used to things happening quickly in football, but events which led to my being transferred to Blackpool last week moved so swiftly that I still find it hard to realise that I am no longer a Wolves player. I was not on the transfer list, and I had no knowledge whatsoever that Blackpool were interested until the day I eventually signed for them. The fist I heard about it was when Mr Stan Cullis, the Wolverhampton manager, interrupted my training to tell me that Blackpool wanted to sign me if I would be prepared to join them. I said that I would at least be interested in having a chat with the Blackpool manager and the next thing I knew I was in an hotel at Stoke signing on the dotted line for Blackpool. Curiously enough I might have become a Blackpool player four years earlier. In those days I was playing for Railway FC, an amateur team in my native Durban. Billy Butler, the former Bolton Wanderers winger, got to know about me and when I eventually left for England to try my luck in English soccer I had the chance of trials with four clubs, Wolves, Charlton, Portsmouth and Blackpool. I chose Wolves. It was, of course, Billy Butler who recommended Bill Perry to Blackpool. From what I know of Blackpool I think I shall be very happy here. I spent a good holiday here once, and at Bloomfield Road I have joined up with four fellow South Africans in Bill Perry, Brian Peterson, Peter Hauser and Peter Smethurst. When I was on my way to England in October 1957, Brian [Peterson of Blackpool] was on the same ‘plane. And we used to play against each other when we were youngsters in Durban. Considering I have been in English football only four years, I made my debut against Nottingham Forest in the 1958/59 season, I have been very lucky to be connected with Wolves during a period when they won their first League championship and then the FA Cup.'
Having been rushed to town under a police escort, he made his League debut for Blackpool later the same day, 15 March 1961, against Sheffield Wednesday when Blackpool lost 1-0 (I was lucky enough to be at that game, too).
At Cardiff City on 24 March 1961 he was instrumental in Blackpool’s first goal and then scored the second, his first for the club. The first goal came when 'Significantly it was Gratrix who engineered the move from which Blackpool opened the scoring in the 16th minute. He broke up a Cardiff attack and lobbed the ball through to Des Horne. The South African brought it under control cleverly with his head, swivelled round and floated across a precision centre. Ray Charnley launched himself into orbit like a well-aimed rocket and headed the ball at great speed towards the far left-hand corner of the net. Ron Nicholls got a hand to the ball, juggled with it an agonising second but could not hold it. That ended a barren spell for Charnley and also a bleak one for Blackpool, who had previously gone three games without a goal.' Horne's goal came when 'From a free-kick just outside the penalty area in the 59th minute, Jimmy Armfield crossed dangerously into the goalmouth. ‘Mandy’ Hill jumped for it and missed, Horne jumped too and didn’t miss.' Blackpool won the game 2-0 to ease their relegation fears, which eventually proved unfounded as Preston North End and Newcastle United were relegated from the First Division.
Having stepped down to the Central League (reserve) side he scored his first goal at that level in the 30th minute of the 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday reserves on 22 April 1961. The match report read, 'Horne, who in the early stages was not having such a good game, suddenly scored a terrific goal. He made a solo dash along his wing and shot from 40 yards out. The ball hit the right hand post and rebounded into the net. McLaren was completely beaten.' He finished the 1960/61 season having played six League games, scoring one goal, and four Central League games, scoring one goal.
Blackpool manager Ronnie Suart said at the start of the 1961/62 season, when Horne's weekly wage was an all-year round £18 15s 0d [£18.75] plus an extra £10 when he played in the first team, 'Des Horne looks ready to show that the fee paid for him last season was justified.' He started the season in the unaccustomed outside right position with Bill Perry occupying the outside left berth at Tottenham Hotspur on 19 August 1961. Blackpool lost 2-1, Perry was injured and Horne moved over to his regular outside left position for the following six games, after which he was rested and played for the Central League side.
He returned to League action in the 2-1 victory over Leicester City on 10 March 1962 and thereafter he was in and out of the side for the remainder of the season in which he played 27 League games, scoring five goals, one FA Cup tie, six League Cup games, scoring one goal, four Central League games and two pre-season friendly games, scoring one goal, for Blackpool in the 1961/62 season.
He received a pay increase for the 1962/63 season when his basic weekly earnings were £23 15s 0d [£23.75] all year round plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team. This wage structure was to be in place for four seasons.
He started the 1962/63 season at outside left in the League side and he scored Blackpool’s second goal after 77 minutes in the opening day 2-1 victory at Liverpool on 18 August 1962. His goal came when 'The non-stop Charnley, centre half Yeats and goalkeeper Furnell all went for the ball together. It came out to Horne, who hit it hard and low straight through a tangle of legs and into the net.' It was Liverpool’s first home League defeat since 31 December 1960. He also scored in the second League game of the 1962/63 season, getting the only goal in Blackpool’s 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town on 20 August 1962.
His goalscoring form continued with Blackpool’s 24th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on 1 September 1962. The goal came when 'Charnley parted with the ball through a gap in the middle of Villa’s defence. Horne, who had momentarily gone into the centre forward position, was after it like a rocket and, as Sims came out, dribbled round him before side-footing the ball into the empty net.' He scored his fourth goal in five games, and it was his probably his best for Blackpool, when he netted 'a wonder goal' in the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on 3 September 1962. I can still remember this goal as, once again, I was there. At the time it was without doubt one of the hardest shots I had ever seen, it was indeed, 'a wonder goal').
His four goals made him the early leading goalscorer for the club and it was the first time since the 1957/58 season, when Bill Perry was the leading marksman, that anyone other than the centre forward had been in that position. Ironically it was to be Horne’s final League goal of the season.
He played 17 League games, scoring four goals, three League Cup ties, 12 Central League games, scoring three goals, and two pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1962/63 season. During the close season he played in the Costa Del Sol Tournament in Spain when Blackpool lost 4-1 to Real Madrid on 14 August 1963 and defeated Monaco 2-1 on 15 August 1963.
He missed the start of the 1963/64 season but was back for the second game when Blackpool lost 3-1 at West Ham United on 26 August 1963 and he retained his place for three further games before first Ray Parry moved from inside left for two games and then Blackpool decided to give youngster Graham Oates his chance on the left wing. Horne was, therefore, moved to outside right for the game against Manchester United on 16 September 1963 when a Ray Charnley goal gave Blackpool a 1-0 victory. He retained the outside right spot for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 21 September 1963 when 'Twice Horne took away Crawford’s passes and crossed centres which had the Wanderers’ defence in a state of excitement and confusion' but Blackpool lost 2-1. But Leslie Lea returned to action the following week and Horne found himself back in the Central League side.
To everyone’s surprise, he asked for a transfer on 25 October 1963 as he felt that it looked as though he was confined to playing regular Central League football. Speculation was that his request could be granted and if so Blackpool were expected to recoup at least half the fee that they paid for him. But by early November 1963 there had been no firm offers for his services, only a Lincoln City tentative enquiry, which went no further.
He returned to League action on 28 December 1963 in a 1-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge when he 'played a sizeable part in the game'. He retained the outside left position through to the end of the season. And 'Would Des Horne withdraw his transfer request?' was the question on everyone’s lips in January 1964 when the South African had regained his first team place and was once again back to his best. The only reason for the request at the time was reported as being that he was not in the first team but even though he was playing League football again he stated that he still desired a move.
He scored against his former side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 February 1964 when, after 15 minutes, 'The ball broke to Oates, who smartly whipped it out to Horne on the left. The South African made tracks for the byline before sending the ball low across. He may have meant it for a cross, but instead the ball bounced into the net via the far post.' Ray Crawford equalised for Wolves as the game was drawn 1-1. There followed a comment in the press, 'Returning to Des Horne for a moment, he may not be everyone’s idea of the complete winger. But one of his qualities at least must endear him to the hearts of those who regret the passing of a once commonplace figure in the English game, the winger who could cross the ball accurately on the run. At this time almost a forgotten art, Des can surely have few peers in the country. It was this ability to centre fast while in full flight which gave Des his first First Division goal of the season against Wolves last week.'
He scored both Blackpool goals in a 2-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers on Good Friday, 27 March 1964. His first came in the 65th minute when 'Lea was impeded but it wasn’t a penalty. As in the earlier case, a free kick was awarded on the edge of the area. Green quickly slipped the ball sideways to Horne, who fired at a ruck of defenders and was as surprised as anyone to see it strike the shoulder of one and spin into the net with Else going the wrong way.' His second, and what proved to be the winner, came in the 85th minute when 'the South African gave a pass to Ball, took the return, and slammed the ball low past Else from 25 yards with his right foot'.
'Green, Horne and McPhee' were 'Blackpool’s conspicuous forwards' and after 80 minutes 'Green placed the ball and quickly slipped it to Horne who, as the Everton defence stood rooted, slammed it right footed into the corner of the net' to bring Blackpool back to 2-1 against Everton on 28 March 1964. However, Everton scored again with three minutes remaining to win 3-1. In the game he received the first of three FA cautions received while at the club. His other two cautions were to come against Sunderland on 26 October 1964 and against Stoke City on 8 January 1966.
Blackpool came back from two goals down to beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 on 30 March 1964, the winner coming after 75 minutes when 'Rowe, a wonderful prompter, wandered over to the left to feed Horne with the sort of pass any forward can make use of. Horne made good use of it with a hard shot which was charged down by a defender. The rebound came to Ball, who hit it left footed first time from the edge of the penalty area, and it stormed into the net at the junction of the far post and the crossbar.'
He played 24 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties, and 13 Central League games, scoring three goals, including one from the penalty spot, two Costa Del Sol Tournament games and one friendly game for Blackpool in the 1963/64 season.
In the opening League game of the season against Burnley on 22 August 1964, 'In the 33rd minute there was a curious incident. O’Neil fouled Charnley 30 yards from the Burnley goal. Horne took the free kick and drove home a glorious high shot with his left foot past the rooted Blacklaw. But the referee, who had, in fact, awarded an indirect free kick, correctly awarded a goal kick to Burnley.' Two goals from Graham Oates were not enough for Blackpool who lost 3-2.
Having been left out of the League side for a few games, he returned to the League side for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 19 September 1964 and he created Blackpool’s second goal for Oates after 10 minutes when 'Armfield sent the ball forward to Horne, 20 yards out and in the inside right position. The winger killed the ball and then lobbed it neatly across the goal. There was Oates to head it home from 12 yards.' Blackpool won the game 2-1.
He opened the scoring against Sheffield United on 10 October 1964 in the 12th minute when 'Hodgkinson threw a ball out in midfield towards Badger, but Green got to it first, gave to Horne and the left winger cut inside and passed a couple of defenders before planting a low shot firmly past Hodgkinson.' Blackpool went on to win 3-1. And what turned out to be his final League goal for Blackpool was, ironically, scored against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 23 January 1965. His goal came in the 18th minute when 'Green darted to a loose ball and immediately put Ball in possession. The inside right was completely unmarked and the left flank of the Wanderers’ defence apparently non-existent. It was a position made for a little forward who ran into open space in spite of all the Wanderers’ off-side protestations, and from an unmarked position crossed a fast low centre which Horne had only to side foot over the line.' David Wagstaffe, who 13 years later was also to wear the number 11 shirt at Blackpool, later equalised as the game ended 1-1.
He played 28 League games, scoring two goals, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties, scoring one goal, 10 Central League games, scoring three goals, and two pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1964/65 season, after which he went on Blackpool’s close season tour of New Zealand where a series of exhibition matches against Sheffield United were played.
He began the 1965/66 season in the Central League side in a 0-0 draw with Barnsley reserves on 21 August 1965 but he returned to League action against Liverpool on 4 September 1965 but after leading twice, Blackpool lost 3-2. Thereafter he was in and out of the League side, also being in the squad as an unused substitute, for the rest of the season. He did make one appearance from the substitute's bench when he replaced Oates after 83 minutes in a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on 1 January 1966.
AXE FALLS ON POOL was the headline after Charnley, Oates and Horne were left out of the side after a disastrous 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on 19 February 1966 and they were replaced by three Scotsmen, Bobby Waddell, Hugh Fisher and Ian Moir for the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on 26 February 1966. He was to make just one further League appearance for Blackpool, his final League game being a 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on 27 April 1966 when substitute Jimmy Robson replaced him late in the game.
His final game in a tangerine shirt was a Central League game against Chesterfield reserves on 7 May 1966 and, fittingly, he scored twice, once from the penalty spot, as Blackpool won 9-0. He played 15 League games and made one substitute appearance, two FA Cup ties, two League Cup ties, scoring one goal, and 10 Central League games, scoring two goals, one from the penalty spot, in the 1965/66 season.
Blackpool gave him a free transfer on 30 June 1966. He had played 117 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, scoring 17 goals, six FA Cup ties, 13 League Cup ties, scoring three goals, 53 central League games, scoring 12 goals, and nine other games, scoring one goal.
He immediately returned to South Africa where he played five years as a professional with Southern Suburbs FC in Durban.
After retirement from football he went into the air conditioning business in Johannesburg before running his own engineering firm and later he owned his own off-licence store.
He returned to Blackpool for the first time in 40 years in September 2009 when I was fortunate enough to meet up with him again. He commented, 'I very much enjoyed playing for Blackpool but it was very strange coming back, although very exciting. I’ve been making up for lost years.' He attended Blackpool’s game against Newcastle United on 16 September 2009 and watched, as Blackpool won 2-1.
He died on 20 July 2015.
Des Horne was born in Durban, South Africa, on 12 December 1939. He was an outside left who played his football with Durban Railway FC and he had also played representative football for Natal. He was spotted by scouts from Wolverhampton Wanderers and duly signed for the club as a junior before signing as a professional in December 1956. He was later to say, 'A guy called Billy Butler, who also played a big part in getting Eddie Stuart [another Wolves' player] over here, fixed me up with a trial at Wolves in 1956. It wasn’t that big a gamble because the club paid for me to come over and I had interest from Portsmouth and Blackpool as well. But I obviously made a decent impression because they signed me as a professional when I turned 17.' He was in the Wolves side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1957/58 and also played a few League games when the club retained the First Division title in the 1958/59 season. He went on to play 52 League and Cup games and score 18 goals for the club, also winning an FA Cup winners medal in 1960 in the 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers (I happened to be at that game as a youngster).
He was signed by Blackpool for a fee of £15,000 on 15 March 1961, literally within a few hours of being told of Blackpool’s interest in him. His weekly wage at Blackpool was to be £17 in the summer and £20 in the winter. And I well remember the day he signed for I was getting off the bus on my way home from school when I spotted an Evening Gazette poster stating, BLACKPOOL SIGN INTERNATIONAL STAR. I rushed home to read the newspaper expecting to find that the club had signed an English international only to discover that he was international because he was a South African. He certainly did not disappoint during his time at Bloomfield Road!
At the time of his transfer he said, 'I suppose I should have got used to things happening quickly in football, but events which led to my being transferred to Blackpool last week moved so swiftly that I still find it hard to realise that I am no longer a Wolves player. I was not on the transfer list, and I had no knowledge whatsoever that Blackpool were interested until the day I eventually signed for them. The fist I heard about it was when Mr Stan Cullis, the Wolverhampton manager, interrupted my training to tell me that Blackpool wanted to sign me if I would be prepared to join them. I said that I would at least be interested in having a chat with the Blackpool manager and the next thing I knew I was in an hotel at Stoke signing on the dotted line for Blackpool. Curiously enough I might have become a Blackpool player four years earlier. In those days I was playing for Railway FC, an amateur team in my native Durban. Billy Butler, the former Bolton Wanderers winger, got to know about me and when I eventually left for England to try my luck in English soccer I had the chance of trials with four clubs, Wolves, Charlton, Portsmouth and Blackpool. I chose Wolves. It was, of course, Billy Butler who recommended Bill Perry to Blackpool. From what I know of Blackpool I think I shall be very happy here. I spent a good holiday here once, and at Bloomfield Road I have joined up with four fellow South Africans in Bill Perry, Brian Peterson, Peter Hauser and Peter Smethurst. When I was on my way to England in October 1957, Brian [Peterson of Blackpool] was on the same ‘plane. And we used to play against each other when we were youngsters in Durban. Considering I have been in English football only four years, I made my debut against Nottingham Forest in the 1958/59 season, I have been very lucky to be connected with Wolves during a period when they won their first League championship and then the FA Cup.'
Having been rushed to town under a police escort, he made his League debut for Blackpool later the same day, 15 March 1961, against Sheffield Wednesday when Blackpool lost 1-0 (I was lucky enough to be at that game, too).
At Cardiff City on 24 March 1961 he was instrumental in Blackpool’s first goal and then scored the second, his first for the club. The first goal came when 'Significantly it was Gratrix who engineered the move from which Blackpool opened the scoring in the 16th minute. He broke up a Cardiff attack and lobbed the ball through to Des Horne. The South African brought it under control cleverly with his head, swivelled round and floated across a precision centre. Ray Charnley launched himself into orbit like a well-aimed rocket and headed the ball at great speed towards the far left-hand corner of the net. Ron Nicholls got a hand to the ball, juggled with it an agonising second but could not hold it. That ended a barren spell for Charnley and also a bleak one for Blackpool, who had previously gone three games without a goal.' Horne's goal came when 'From a free-kick just outside the penalty area in the 59th minute, Jimmy Armfield crossed dangerously into the goalmouth. ‘Mandy’ Hill jumped for it and missed, Horne jumped too and didn’t miss.' Blackpool won the game 2-0 to ease their relegation fears, which eventually proved unfounded as Preston North End and Newcastle United were relegated from the First Division.
Having stepped down to the Central League (reserve) side he scored his first goal at that level in the 30th minute of the 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday reserves on 22 April 1961. The match report read, 'Horne, who in the early stages was not having such a good game, suddenly scored a terrific goal. He made a solo dash along his wing and shot from 40 yards out. The ball hit the right hand post and rebounded into the net. McLaren was completely beaten.' He finished the 1960/61 season having played six League games, scoring one goal, and four Central League games, scoring one goal.
Blackpool manager Ronnie Suart said at the start of the 1961/62 season, when Horne's weekly wage was an all-year round £18 15s 0d [£18.75] plus an extra £10 when he played in the first team, 'Des Horne looks ready to show that the fee paid for him last season was justified.' He started the season in the unaccustomed outside right position with Bill Perry occupying the outside left berth at Tottenham Hotspur on 19 August 1961. Blackpool lost 2-1, Perry was injured and Horne moved over to his regular outside left position for the following six games, after which he was rested and played for the Central League side.
He returned to League action in the 2-1 victory over Leicester City on 10 March 1962 and thereafter he was in and out of the side for the remainder of the season in which he played 27 League games, scoring five goals, one FA Cup tie, six League Cup games, scoring one goal, four Central League games and two pre-season friendly games, scoring one goal, for Blackpool in the 1961/62 season.
He received a pay increase for the 1962/63 season when his basic weekly earnings were £23 15s 0d [£23.75] all year round plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team. This wage structure was to be in place for four seasons.
He started the 1962/63 season at outside left in the League side and he scored Blackpool’s second goal after 77 minutes in the opening day 2-1 victory at Liverpool on 18 August 1962. His goal came when 'The non-stop Charnley, centre half Yeats and goalkeeper Furnell all went for the ball together. It came out to Horne, who hit it hard and low straight through a tangle of legs and into the net.' It was Liverpool’s first home League defeat since 31 December 1960. He also scored in the second League game of the 1962/63 season, getting the only goal in Blackpool’s 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town on 20 August 1962.
His goalscoring form continued with Blackpool’s 24th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on 1 September 1962. The goal came when 'Charnley parted with the ball through a gap in the middle of Villa’s defence. Horne, who had momentarily gone into the centre forward position, was after it like a rocket and, as Sims came out, dribbled round him before side-footing the ball into the empty net.' He scored his fourth goal in five games, and it was his probably his best for Blackpool, when he netted 'a wonder goal' in the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on 3 September 1962. I can still remember this goal as, once again, I was there. At the time it was without doubt one of the hardest shots I had ever seen, it was indeed, 'a wonder goal').
His four goals made him the early leading goalscorer for the club and it was the first time since the 1957/58 season, when Bill Perry was the leading marksman, that anyone other than the centre forward had been in that position. Ironically it was to be Horne’s final League goal of the season.
He played 17 League games, scoring four goals, three League Cup ties, 12 Central League games, scoring three goals, and two pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1962/63 season. During the close season he played in the Costa Del Sol Tournament in Spain when Blackpool lost 4-1 to Real Madrid on 14 August 1963 and defeated Monaco 2-1 on 15 August 1963.
He missed the start of the 1963/64 season but was back for the second game when Blackpool lost 3-1 at West Ham United on 26 August 1963 and he retained his place for three further games before first Ray Parry moved from inside left for two games and then Blackpool decided to give youngster Graham Oates his chance on the left wing. Horne was, therefore, moved to outside right for the game against Manchester United on 16 September 1963 when a Ray Charnley goal gave Blackpool a 1-0 victory. He retained the outside right spot for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 21 September 1963 when 'Twice Horne took away Crawford’s passes and crossed centres which had the Wanderers’ defence in a state of excitement and confusion' but Blackpool lost 2-1. But Leslie Lea returned to action the following week and Horne found himself back in the Central League side.
To everyone’s surprise, he asked for a transfer on 25 October 1963 as he felt that it looked as though he was confined to playing regular Central League football. Speculation was that his request could be granted and if so Blackpool were expected to recoup at least half the fee that they paid for him. But by early November 1963 there had been no firm offers for his services, only a Lincoln City tentative enquiry, which went no further.
He returned to League action on 28 December 1963 in a 1-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge when he 'played a sizeable part in the game'. He retained the outside left position through to the end of the season. And 'Would Des Horne withdraw his transfer request?' was the question on everyone’s lips in January 1964 when the South African had regained his first team place and was once again back to his best. The only reason for the request at the time was reported as being that he was not in the first team but even though he was playing League football again he stated that he still desired a move.
He scored against his former side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 February 1964 when, after 15 minutes, 'The ball broke to Oates, who smartly whipped it out to Horne on the left. The South African made tracks for the byline before sending the ball low across. He may have meant it for a cross, but instead the ball bounced into the net via the far post.' Ray Crawford equalised for Wolves as the game was drawn 1-1. There followed a comment in the press, 'Returning to Des Horne for a moment, he may not be everyone’s idea of the complete winger. But one of his qualities at least must endear him to the hearts of those who regret the passing of a once commonplace figure in the English game, the winger who could cross the ball accurately on the run. At this time almost a forgotten art, Des can surely have few peers in the country. It was this ability to centre fast while in full flight which gave Des his first First Division goal of the season against Wolves last week.'
He scored both Blackpool goals in a 2-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers on Good Friday, 27 March 1964. His first came in the 65th minute when 'Lea was impeded but it wasn’t a penalty. As in the earlier case, a free kick was awarded on the edge of the area. Green quickly slipped the ball sideways to Horne, who fired at a ruck of defenders and was as surprised as anyone to see it strike the shoulder of one and spin into the net with Else going the wrong way.' His second, and what proved to be the winner, came in the 85th minute when 'the South African gave a pass to Ball, took the return, and slammed the ball low past Else from 25 yards with his right foot'.
'Green, Horne and McPhee' were 'Blackpool’s conspicuous forwards' and after 80 minutes 'Green placed the ball and quickly slipped it to Horne who, as the Everton defence stood rooted, slammed it right footed into the corner of the net' to bring Blackpool back to 2-1 against Everton on 28 March 1964. However, Everton scored again with three minutes remaining to win 3-1. In the game he received the first of three FA cautions received while at the club. His other two cautions were to come against Sunderland on 26 October 1964 and against Stoke City on 8 January 1966.
Blackpool came back from two goals down to beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 on 30 March 1964, the winner coming after 75 minutes when 'Rowe, a wonderful prompter, wandered over to the left to feed Horne with the sort of pass any forward can make use of. Horne made good use of it with a hard shot which was charged down by a defender. The rebound came to Ball, who hit it left footed first time from the edge of the penalty area, and it stormed into the net at the junction of the far post and the crossbar.'
He played 24 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties, and 13 Central League games, scoring three goals, including one from the penalty spot, two Costa Del Sol Tournament games and one friendly game for Blackpool in the 1963/64 season.
In the opening League game of the season against Burnley on 22 August 1964, 'In the 33rd minute there was a curious incident. O’Neil fouled Charnley 30 yards from the Burnley goal. Horne took the free kick and drove home a glorious high shot with his left foot past the rooted Blacklaw. But the referee, who had, in fact, awarded an indirect free kick, correctly awarded a goal kick to Burnley.' Two goals from Graham Oates were not enough for Blackpool who lost 3-2.
Having been left out of the League side for a few games, he returned to the League side for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 19 September 1964 and he created Blackpool’s second goal for Oates after 10 minutes when 'Armfield sent the ball forward to Horne, 20 yards out and in the inside right position. The winger killed the ball and then lobbed it neatly across the goal. There was Oates to head it home from 12 yards.' Blackpool won the game 2-1.
He opened the scoring against Sheffield United on 10 October 1964 in the 12th minute when 'Hodgkinson threw a ball out in midfield towards Badger, but Green got to it first, gave to Horne and the left winger cut inside and passed a couple of defenders before planting a low shot firmly past Hodgkinson.' Blackpool went on to win 3-1. And what turned out to be his final League goal for Blackpool was, ironically, scored against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 23 January 1965. His goal came in the 18th minute when 'Green darted to a loose ball and immediately put Ball in possession. The inside right was completely unmarked and the left flank of the Wanderers’ defence apparently non-existent. It was a position made for a little forward who ran into open space in spite of all the Wanderers’ off-side protestations, and from an unmarked position crossed a fast low centre which Horne had only to side foot over the line.' David Wagstaffe, who 13 years later was also to wear the number 11 shirt at Blackpool, later equalised as the game ended 1-1.
He played 28 League games, scoring two goals, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties, scoring one goal, 10 Central League games, scoring three goals, and two pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1964/65 season, after which he went on Blackpool’s close season tour of New Zealand where a series of exhibition matches against Sheffield United were played.
He began the 1965/66 season in the Central League side in a 0-0 draw with Barnsley reserves on 21 August 1965 but he returned to League action against Liverpool on 4 September 1965 but after leading twice, Blackpool lost 3-2. Thereafter he was in and out of the League side, also being in the squad as an unused substitute, for the rest of the season. He did make one appearance from the substitute's bench when he replaced Oates after 83 minutes in a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on 1 January 1966.
AXE FALLS ON POOL was the headline after Charnley, Oates and Horne were left out of the side after a disastrous 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on 19 February 1966 and they were replaced by three Scotsmen, Bobby Waddell, Hugh Fisher and Ian Moir for the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on 26 February 1966. He was to make just one further League appearance for Blackpool, his final League game being a 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on 27 April 1966 when substitute Jimmy Robson replaced him late in the game.
His final game in a tangerine shirt was a Central League game against Chesterfield reserves on 7 May 1966 and, fittingly, he scored twice, once from the penalty spot, as Blackpool won 9-0. He played 15 League games and made one substitute appearance, two FA Cup ties, two League Cup ties, scoring one goal, and 10 Central League games, scoring two goals, one from the penalty spot, in the 1965/66 season.
Blackpool gave him a free transfer on 30 June 1966. He had played 117 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, scoring 17 goals, six FA Cup ties, 13 League Cup ties, scoring three goals, 53 central League games, scoring 12 goals, and nine other games, scoring one goal.
He immediately returned to South Africa where he played five years as a professional with Southern Suburbs FC in Durban.
After retirement from football he went into the air conditioning business in Johannesburg before running his own engineering firm and later he owned his own off-licence store.
He returned to Blackpool for the first time in 40 years in September 2009 when I was fortunate enough to meet up with him again. He commented, 'I very much enjoyed playing for Blackpool but it was very strange coming back, although very exciting. I’ve been making up for lost years.' He attended Blackpool’s game against Newcastle United on 16 September 2009 and watched, as Blackpool won 2-1.
He died on 20 July 2015.
April 12, 2015
A Combative Midfield Player
William (Billy) Ronson 1957-2015
Billy Ronson was born in Fleetwood, where his father Percy was a record-breaking Fleetwood FC player, on 22 January 1957. After schoolboy football, Blackpool signed him as an apprentice professional on 14 August 1972. At the time he was a forward but later became a midfield player. He played only in the junior sides in the 1972/73 season before being signed as a full-time professional on 31 January 1974.
He made his senior debut for Blackpool as a 60th-minute substitute for Micky Walsh in the Lancashire Senior Cup second round tie against Bolton Wanderers on 12 February 1974 when he 'made a lively entry, giving the Blackpool attack more width but the finishing let the visitors down'. Blackpool lost the game 1-0. He also played in the final Central League game of the season against Nottingham Forest reserves on 29 April 1974 when Blackpool won with a Mickey Walsh goal.
Although only playing Central League football at the start of the
1974/75 season his form was good enough to attract attention and he was selected for training with the England Youth team at Lilleshall in September 1974 and again in October 1974.
He subsequently made his League debut for Blackpool against Nottingham Forest in a 0-0 draw on 29 March 1975, also played in a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa on 19 April 1975 and he made two League appearances and 27 Central League appearances, scoring five goals, in the 1974/75 season. And to crown a fine season, he won the Blackpool Young Player of the Year award, the Harry Glossop Trophy.
He started the 1975/76 season at an unaccustomed centre forward position in the League side, appearing in a 0-0 draw with Fulham on 16 August 1975, but thereafter he was an infrequent member of the League side. His combative style caused Blackpool to suspended him for three games after he had been sent off in a reserve game against Leeds United on 20 March 1976. But, having missed three Central League games, fresh from his suspension, he played what was described as 'his best-yet senior game' in a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion on 31 March 1976 although he 'spurned a couple of good chances by electing to pass square when a dip was in order'. However, up front, he was 'always a handful'. Unfortunately, The Football Association suspended him for three games starting on 1 April 1976 for the same sending offence against Leeds United reserves.
He returned to League action against York City on 19 April 1976 and he scored Blackpool’s equaliser three minutes from time in a 1-1 draw. His 'second League goal crowned a lively second half showing, despite the fact that he had found himself thrust into a strange midfield role'. The goal came after manager Harry Potts 'waved him to the right wing and Alan Ainscow back in midfield'.
And after a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on 20 April 1976 he earned the headlines RONSON LEADS CHAMPAGNE PARADE. Amplifying the headline the comment was 'Young Billy Ronson led the parade with a magnificent display of non-stop effort and skill, which marked his best game for the club. In only his second game back after suspension [sic], Ronson, who scored the equaliser at York, covered every inch of turf in a remarkably assured show of generalship. One minute he was back in defence cooling things down and mopping up anything loose. The next he was sweeping into the attack, prompting and probing. It was a shame he could not score to cap the performance.'
He played 17 League games plus making two substitute appearances, scoring two goals, one League Cup tie and 15 Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1975/76 season.
He began the 1976/77 season in the pre-season Anglo-Scottish Cup ties and against Burnley on 11 August 1976 he 'had a fine match' and looked 'a more confident player' as he 'did well to keep ticking away in his first match after injury'. Blackpool won 2-1.
Having established himself as a combative midfield player he was rarely out of the side and after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the League Cup on 21 September 1976 he earned the headlines RONSON’S DISPLAY ONE TO TREASURE and the supporting comment was 'But only Ronson was getting up regularly in support and I cannot praise his almost single-handed efforts too highly. It was his best game for Blackpool, and one he should treasure.'
In mid-December 1976 manager Allan Brown felt that Dave Tong and Billy Ronson could have been in the reckoning for England Under-21 honours and only Tong’s ankle injury and Ronson’s switch to midfield kept them out of Don Revie’s reckoning. Of Ronson he said, 'If Billy had still been on the wing he would have stood out. Forwards always take glory, but since Billy has moved into midfield he has done all the hard work, but it is seldom the workers who get noticed.'
He missed only one game that season, playing 41 League games, scoring four goals, two FA Cup ties, and four League Cup ties, scoring one goal.
The 1977/78 side saw him in and out of the League side and when substituted against Southampton on 17 December 1977 he was 'clearly upset' and went 'straight to the dressing room after looking angrily at manager Allan Brown' as Blackpool lost 1-0. Knowing that he was unsettled, he was a target for Aston Villa in December 1977 but he said that he would be content to stay at Blackpool provided he played in the first team. Brown commented, 'They want first team soccer and it is only natural that they are upset when they are dropped. But they must always remember that a manager cannot play for them. If they want to stay in the first team they have to fight to maintain their form. If they want a move they have to fight to impress prospective buyers. If they don’t put the effort and tight attitude into their play they will be dropped from the first team and have no chance of moving. It has always been a two-way process. And my experience shows that once a player is reinstated in the first team and he and the team are playing well everyone forgets he is transfer-listed. Really it is meaningless.'
Ronson didn't let the talk of a possible transfer affect his performances and the press comment was 'Ronson battled incessantly to keep Blackpool ticking over when it seemed to many fans that both sides had left the pitch a fortnight ago. He has played consistently well for the past four games' as Blackpool drew 2-2 with Notts County on 7 March 1978. And he finished the 1977/78 season having played 32 League games plus making two substitute appearances, scoring three goals, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties and two Central League games.
Along with Jimmy Weston, he missed the start of the 1978/79 season through having played football in the North American League during the summer and on 14 August 1978 manager Bob Stokoe commented. 'As far as we know they are involved in regional play-offs, which could take until the end of the month. We want them back as soon as possible.' In the event he was four weeks late in returning and then Blackpool had to rush clearance through so that he could play for the club.
On his return he said that he would not be keen to go back to America unless it was on a two-year contract. He commented, 'The only way to make it big out there is to sign up a lucrative two-year contract but I have ambitions in English football and I will see if I can fulfil them.' He added, 'The standard of football was remarkably high and they give you the four-star treatment but England is still tops for me.'
He returned to action in a second round League Cup tie against Ipswich Town on 30 August 1978 when his 'presence in midfield was decisive' as he 'buzzed around adding defensive solidity and accuracy in distribution to the department, inspiring his team-mates in counter attacks and directing things with composure and authority' as Blackpool won 2-0.
His consistently good performances were attracting scouts from other clubs and in mid-September 1978 a number of First and Second Division clubs were regularly watching him but Blackpool announced that they were not prepared to sell him. Even so, subsequently moves to Ipswich Town and Aston Villa fell through because neither club would meet Blackpool’s valuation of £150,000, a price tag made to put other clubs off signing him.
In a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in a third round League Cup tie on 4 October 1978 he 'did everything he does best, picking up well, using the ball nicely and controlling the midfield flow with a performance full of authority'. But by mid-November all was not well with manager Bob Stokoe saying that had he had a stronger squad Ronson would have been in the reserve team following some of his displays at the time. He felt that the player’s heart was not in Third Division football.
Stokoe commented, 'Billy thinks I should pat him on the back when I believe he should be criticised for aspects of his game. I am only trying to help the lad become a better player. Had Alan Waldron’s form and attitude been better he would have replaced Billy in the side. I have spoken to Billy about his future at Blackpool. If he wants First division football he has got to prove his ability. I don’t want to keep players who don’t want to play for the club but the current state of the squad means everyone must knuckle down. Billy plays his last game today [11 November 1978] before possibly a three week suspension [he had accumulated 20 penalty points and was to appear before a tribunal the following Tuesday]. If clubs come in for him and he is not prepared to stay and fight for us we will consider it in the appropriate light but I want him to stay and play well for us.'
Ipswich were then back interested in signing him, as were Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall. Stokoe spoke of his appearance before the FA hearing and said, 'I have tried my best to help Billy understand that he cannot take out his own personal frustrations by getting involved in incidents on the pitch. In view of some of the blatant offences he has committed to pick up the 20 penalty points I felt I could not defend his conduct.' Rosnon earned a two-match ban.
He knuckled down after the disappointment of suspension and hearing the transfer news and in January 1979 Stokoe commented, 'I am thrilled with Billy’s attitude. It must have been frustrating for him to undergo trials with Villa and Ipswich and then find that neither were prepared to pay what we wanted, but Billy’s first debt is to himself and the team and if he continues to play well he will get his reward.'
But Stokoe had to apologise publicly to Ronson on 21 February 1979 after the news that he had been placed on the transfer list on 19 February had been leaked to the national press before the player had been told. Stokoe commented, 'I am trying to get everyone pulling together and someone in the boardroom has let me and Billy down. Billy had to bind out about it when he picked up his daily paper and this is just not on.' Stokoe then explained that Ronson’s suspension was over the following Saturday and that he would play for the reserve team on the Monday after. He added, 'I have told Billy he will continue in the first team squad although I hope our midfield trio can prove they have the stuff to battle for points away as well as at home. I have not put a fee on Billy. I will try and get the best deal I can and I would prefer player exchanges. We were fined heavily by the FA last season and are already past 100 [penalty points] with 30 matches to go. The way Billy was going he’d get them on his own and the club cannot afford this problem of Billy niggling at referees.'
Scoring two goals in the League game against Chesterfield on 14 March 1979 earned him the headlines with Ronson Shines As Pool Glow. He 'got into good attacking positions and his finishing was clinical' as Blackpool won 3-1.
In late March 1979 there still had been no bids for Ronson from clubs in the First Division, where he wanted to play. He said that should no club bid for him he was happy to give 100% to the Blackpool cause and added, 'I am not upset that clubs have not come in. I’m happy to do my best for Blackpool as I promised I would.' He had bought a house in the area and was to be married in June and had recently appeared on television. Of that Stokoe commented, 'I let Billy go on television recently to state his case and he has had ample chance to say his piece. Now I want him to keep his mouth shut and let the future take care of itself. I have preached to all the players the need to build a team to have players who respect each other and enjoy playing together.'
The club served him with a two-week ban starting with the game against Bury on 7 April 1979 and he went on to miss four matches because on 14 April he received a two-match ban from the FA, but in effect he only missed one game through the suspension for his club ban did not finish until the first of his two games had passed. The FA suspension was his third of the season and encompassed seven matches as he was banned for reaching 20, 30 and then 40 penalty points. He had gathered 19 bookings in two seasons. He stated that he intended to keep out of trouble adding, 'I have not gone out looking for bother with referees, but I will obviously have to do something about it.'
Despite his disciplinary problems, he played 32 League games, scoring three goals, one FA Cup tie, three League Cup ties and two Central League games for Blackpool in the 1978/79 season. But it was to be his final season in the tangerine jersey.
Blackpool transferred him to Cardiff City for a fee of £135,000 on 14 July 1979 and he missed only one League game for Cardiff in his first season at the club and he won the Cardiff Supporters’ Club ‘Player of the Season’ award. He did even better in his second season for he was an ever-present, was deservedly made club captain and he once again won the ‘Player of the Season’ award.
He had played 90 League games and scored four goals for Cardiff City when he was transferred to Wrexham for a fee of £90,000 in October 1981. He played 31 League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, four FA Cup ties and three Welsh Cup ties for Wrexham before he was transferred to Barnsley in August 1982 for a fee of £50,000.
Barnsley loaned him out to Birmingham City on 8 November 1985 and he played two League games for the Midlands club. Back at Barnsley, he went on to play 111 League games, make two substitute appearances and score three goals.
He re-joined Blackpool as a non-contract player on a month’s trial in January 1986 but he played only three League games and was not on the winning side in any of them. Blackpool drew 0-0 with Reading on 18 January 1986, and lost 1-0 to Derby County and similarly to Chesterfield on 1 and 4 February 1986.
The club released him after three League games in the 1985/86 season by which time he had played over 200 senior games for the club.
After being released by Blackpool he almost immediately jetted off to America after signing for Baltimore Blast on a two-year contract under ex-Fleetwood goalkeeper Kenny Cooper. He subsequently settled in the United States of America, where he died, aged just 58, on 8 April 2015.
Billy Ronson was born in Fleetwood, where his father Percy was a record-breaking Fleetwood FC player, on 22 January 1957. After schoolboy football, Blackpool signed him as an apprentice professional on 14 August 1972. At the time he was a forward but later became a midfield player. He played only in the junior sides in the 1972/73 season before being signed as a full-time professional on 31 January 1974.
He made his senior debut for Blackpool as a 60th-minute substitute for Micky Walsh in the Lancashire Senior Cup second round tie against Bolton Wanderers on 12 February 1974 when he 'made a lively entry, giving the Blackpool attack more width but the finishing let the visitors down'. Blackpool lost the game 1-0. He also played in the final Central League game of the season against Nottingham Forest reserves on 29 April 1974 when Blackpool won with a Mickey Walsh goal.
Although only playing Central League football at the start of the
1974/75 season his form was good enough to attract attention and he was selected for training with the England Youth team at Lilleshall in September 1974 and again in October 1974.
He subsequently made his League debut for Blackpool against Nottingham Forest in a 0-0 draw on 29 March 1975, also played in a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa on 19 April 1975 and he made two League appearances and 27 Central League appearances, scoring five goals, in the 1974/75 season. And to crown a fine season, he won the Blackpool Young Player of the Year award, the Harry Glossop Trophy.
He started the 1975/76 season at an unaccustomed centre forward position in the League side, appearing in a 0-0 draw with Fulham on 16 August 1975, but thereafter he was an infrequent member of the League side. His combative style caused Blackpool to suspended him for three games after he had been sent off in a reserve game against Leeds United on 20 March 1976. But, having missed three Central League games, fresh from his suspension, he played what was described as 'his best-yet senior game' in a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion on 31 March 1976 although he 'spurned a couple of good chances by electing to pass square when a dip was in order'. However, up front, he was 'always a handful'. Unfortunately, The Football Association suspended him for three games starting on 1 April 1976 for the same sending offence against Leeds United reserves.
He returned to League action against York City on 19 April 1976 and he scored Blackpool’s equaliser three minutes from time in a 1-1 draw. His 'second League goal crowned a lively second half showing, despite the fact that he had found himself thrust into a strange midfield role'. The goal came after manager Harry Potts 'waved him to the right wing and Alan Ainscow back in midfield'.
And after a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on 20 April 1976 he earned the headlines RONSON LEADS CHAMPAGNE PARADE. Amplifying the headline the comment was 'Young Billy Ronson led the parade with a magnificent display of non-stop effort and skill, which marked his best game for the club. In only his second game back after suspension [sic], Ronson, who scored the equaliser at York, covered every inch of turf in a remarkably assured show of generalship. One minute he was back in defence cooling things down and mopping up anything loose. The next he was sweeping into the attack, prompting and probing. It was a shame he could not score to cap the performance.'
He played 17 League games plus making two substitute appearances, scoring two goals, one League Cup tie and 15 Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1975/76 season.
He began the 1976/77 season in the pre-season Anglo-Scottish Cup ties and against Burnley on 11 August 1976 he 'had a fine match' and looked 'a more confident player' as he 'did well to keep ticking away in his first match after injury'. Blackpool won 2-1.
Having established himself as a combative midfield player he was rarely out of the side and after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the League Cup on 21 September 1976 he earned the headlines RONSON’S DISPLAY ONE TO TREASURE and the supporting comment was 'But only Ronson was getting up regularly in support and I cannot praise his almost single-handed efforts too highly. It was his best game for Blackpool, and one he should treasure.'
In mid-December 1976 manager Allan Brown felt that Dave Tong and Billy Ronson could have been in the reckoning for England Under-21 honours and only Tong’s ankle injury and Ronson’s switch to midfield kept them out of Don Revie’s reckoning. Of Ronson he said, 'If Billy had still been on the wing he would have stood out. Forwards always take glory, but since Billy has moved into midfield he has done all the hard work, but it is seldom the workers who get noticed.'
He missed only one game that season, playing 41 League games, scoring four goals, two FA Cup ties, and four League Cup ties, scoring one goal.
The 1977/78 side saw him in and out of the League side and when substituted against Southampton on 17 December 1977 he was 'clearly upset' and went 'straight to the dressing room after looking angrily at manager Allan Brown' as Blackpool lost 1-0. Knowing that he was unsettled, he was a target for Aston Villa in December 1977 but he said that he would be content to stay at Blackpool provided he played in the first team. Brown commented, 'They want first team soccer and it is only natural that they are upset when they are dropped. But they must always remember that a manager cannot play for them. If they want to stay in the first team they have to fight to maintain their form. If they want a move they have to fight to impress prospective buyers. If they don’t put the effort and tight attitude into their play they will be dropped from the first team and have no chance of moving. It has always been a two-way process. And my experience shows that once a player is reinstated in the first team and he and the team are playing well everyone forgets he is transfer-listed. Really it is meaningless.'
Ronson didn't let the talk of a possible transfer affect his performances and the press comment was 'Ronson battled incessantly to keep Blackpool ticking over when it seemed to many fans that both sides had left the pitch a fortnight ago. He has played consistently well for the past four games' as Blackpool drew 2-2 with Notts County on 7 March 1978. And he finished the 1977/78 season having played 32 League games plus making two substitute appearances, scoring three goals, one FA Cup tie, two League Cup ties and two Central League games.
Along with Jimmy Weston, he missed the start of the 1978/79 season through having played football in the North American League during the summer and on 14 August 1978 manager Bob Stokoe commented. 'As far as we know they are involved in regional play-offs, which could take until the end of the month. We want them back as soon as possible.' In the event he was four weeks late in returning and then Blackpool had to rush clearance through so that he could play for the club.
On his return he said that he would not be keen to go back to America unless it was on a two-year contract. He commented, 'The only way to make it big out there is to sign up a lucrative two-year contract but I have ambitions in English football and I will see if I can fulfil them.' He added, 'The standard of football was remarkably high and they give you the four-star treatment but England is still tops for me.'
He returned to action in a second round League Cup tie against Ipswich Town on 30 August 1978 when his 'presence in midfield was decisive' as he 'buzzed around adding defensive solidity and accuracy in distribution to the department, inspiring his team-mates in counter attacks and directing things with composure and authority' as Blackpool won 2-0.
His consistently good performances were attracting scouts from other clubs and in mid-September 1978 a number of First and Second Division clubs were regularly watching him but Blackpool announced that they were not prepared to sell him. Even so, subsequently moves to Ipswich Town and Aston Villa fell through because neither club would meet Blackpool’s valuation of £150,000, a price tag made to put other clubs off signing him.
In a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in a third round League Cup tie on 4 October 1978 he 'did everything he does best, picking up well, using the ball nicely and controlling the midfield flow with a performance full of authority'. But by mid-November all was not well with manager Bob Stokoe saying that had he had a stronger squad Ronson would have been in the reserve team following some of his displays at the time. He felt that the player’s heart was not in Third Division football.
Stokoe commented, 'Billy thinks I should pat him on the back when I believe he should be criticised for aspects of his game. I am only trying to help the lad become a better player. Had Alan Waldron’s form and attitude been better he would have replaced Billy in the side. I have spoken to Billy about his future at Blackpool. If he wants First division football he has got to prove his ability. I don’t want to keep players who don’t want to play for the club but the current state of the squad means everyone must knuckle down. Billy plays his last game today [11 November 1978] before possibly a three week suspension [he had accumulated 20 penalty points and was to appear before a tribunal the following Tuesday]. If clubs come in for him and he is not prepared to stay and fight for us we will consider it in the appropriate light but I want him to stay and play well for us.'
Ipswich were then back interested in signing him, as were Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall. Stokoe spoke of his appearance before the FA hearing and said, 'I have tried my best to help Billy understand that he cannot take out his own personal frustrations by getting involved in incidents on the pitch. In view of some of the blatant offences he has committed to pick up the 20 penalty points I felt I could not defend his conduct.' Rosnon earned a two-match ban.
He knuckled down after the disappointment of suspension and hearing the transfer news and in January 1979 Stokoe commented, 'I am thrilled with Billy’s attitude. It must have been frustrating for him to undergo trials with Villa and Ipswich and then find that neither were prepared to pay what we wanted, but Billy’s first debt is to himself and the team and if he continues to play well he will get his reward.'
But Stokoe had to apologise publicly to Ronson on 21 February 1979 after the news that he had been placed on the transfer list on 19 February had been leaked to the national press before the player had been told. Stokoe commented, 'I am trying to get everyone pulling together and someone in the boardroom has let me and Billy down. Billy had to bind out about it when he picked up his daily paper and this is just not on.' Stokoe then explained that Ronson’s suspension was over the following Saturday and that he would play for the reserve team on the Monday after. He added, 'I have told Billy he will continue in the first team squad although I hope our midfield trio can prove they have the stuff to battle for points away as well as at home. I have not put a fee on Billy. I will try and get the best deal I can and I would prefer player exchanges. We were fined heavily by the FA last season and are already past 100 [penalty points] with 30 matches to go. The way Billy was going he’d get them on his own and the club cannot afford this problem of Billy niggling at referees.'
Scoring two goals in the League game against Chesterfield on 14 March 1979 earned him the headlines with Ronson Shines As Pool Glow. He 'got into good attacking positions and his finishing was clinical' as Blackpool won 3-1.
In late March 1979 there still had been no bids for Ronson from clubs in the First Division, where he wanted to play. He said that should no club bid for him he was happy to give 100% to the Blackpool cause and added, 'I am not upset that clubs have not come in. I’m happy to do my best for Blackpool as I promised I would.' He had bought a house in the area and was to be married in June and had recently appeared on television. Of that Stokoe commented, 'I let Billy go on television recently to state his case and he has had ample chance to say his piece. Now I want him to keep his mouth shut and let the future take care of itself. I have preached to all the players the need to build a team to have players who respect each other and enjoy playing together.'
The club served him with a two-week ban starting with the game against Bury on 7 April 1979 and he went on to miss four matches because on 14 April he received a two-match ban from the FA, but in effect he only missed one game through the suspension for his club ban did not finish until the first of his two games had passed. The FA suspension was his third of the season and encompassed seven matches as he was banned for reaching 20, 30 and then 40 penalty points. He had gathered 19 bookings in two seasons. He stated that he intended to keep out of trouble adding, 'I have not gone out looking for bother with referees, but I will obviously have to do something about it.'
Despite his disciplinary problems, he played 32 League games, scoring three goals, one FA Cup tie, three League Cup ties and two Central League games for Blackpool in the 1978/79 season. But it was to be his final season in the tangerine jersey.
Blackpool transferred him to Cardiff City for a fee of £135,000 on 14 July 1979 and he missed only one League game for Cardiff in his first season at the club and he won the Cardiff Supporters’ Club ‘Player of the Season’ award. He did even better in his second season for he was an ever-present, was deservedly made club captain and he once again won the ‘Player of the Season’ award.
He had played 90 League games and scored four goals for Cardiff City when he was transferred to Wrexham for a fee of £90,000 in October 1981. He played 31 League games plus making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, four FA Cup ties and three Welsh Cup ties for Wrexham before he was transferred to Barnsley in August 1982 for a fee of £50,000.
Barnsley loaned him out to Birmingham City on 8 November 1985 and he played two League games for the Midlands club. Back at Barnsley, he went on to play 111 League games, make two substitute appearances and score three goals.
He re-joined Blackpool as a non-contract player on a month’s trial in January 1986 but he played only three League games and was not on the winning side in any of them. Blackpool drew 0-0 with Reading on 18 January 1986, and lost 1-0 to Derby County and similarly to Chesterfield on 1 and 4 February 1986.
The club released him after three League games in the 1985/86 season by which time he had played over 200 senior games for the club.
After being released by Blackpool he almost immediately jetted off to America after signing for Baltimore Blast on a two-year contract under ex-Fleetwood goalkeeper Kenny Cooper. He subsequently settled in the United States of America, where he died, aged just 58, on 8 April 2015.
March 29, 2015
From Busby Babe to Blackpool
Ian Moir 1943-2015
Ian Moir was born in Aberdeen on 30 June 1943 and, as a right or left winger, he had played for Aberdeen schoolboys and had represented Scotland at junior level. He was spotted by Manchester United as a junior and Andy Beattie, United’s Scottish scout, said of him 'When I first saw young Moir, I was convinced I had found the greatest of them all.' He was duly signed by United as a schoolboy in 1958, signing as a professional in July 1960 and going on to play 45 League games and score five goals for the club. When he was injured and missing from the team, he was replaced by a 17-year-old named George Best.
He was signed by Blackpool from Manchester United for a fee of £10,000 on 12 February 1965 at a weekly wage of £30 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team with such terms to be in place for two seasons. Of the day he signed he later said, 'It was just one of those days which start off terribly then have a happy ending. I wanted away because I wanted to play first team football more than anything else in the world. The news that they were willing to transfer me to Blackpool came as a complete shock. I like the look of the place and I’m sure we will be happy here.'
He made his league debut for Blackpool at outside left in 1-1 home draw with Leicester City on 13 February 1965 and the press reaction was 'Young Moir, who switched wings with Lea in the first half, did not have a brilliant debut, but he did show nice touches and offered some hope for his future at Bloomfield Road.' And about the supporters, Moir commented, 'They were very fair to me. Not over-critical. And Blackpool are a good side to play with. They play football. And they’re a good bunch of lads. They’ve made me very welcome. Just before the game Jimmy Armfield had a talk with me and put me right at ease.'
He played on the right wing in his second game on 20 February 1965 and he scored the equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United. The press comment was 'Moir and Ball made a good right wing partnership, the former being particularly prominent in the last 20 minutes' and this comment came under the headline 'New Boy Top of the Form'. He went on to played 14 League games and score four goals for Blackpool in the 1964/65 season and he went on the club tour to New Zealand in the close season of 1965.
He began the 1965/66 season on the right wing in the league side and only missed four of the first 25 games but thereafter Leslie Lea moved into that position and Moir was restricted to four further games that season, playing two at outside left, one at outside right and one in the unaccustomed position of inside left.
However, he made quite an impression in the Central League side with one report reading, 'The skilful aggression of Moir went for nothing' as Blackpool lost 4-2 to Stoke City reserves on 5 February 1966. And then, when Jimmy Robson scored four goals in the Central League side’s 6-1 victory over Everton reserves on 23 April 1966 he was 'fed by a stream of passes through the middle by wingers Horne and Moir and really rocked the Mersey boat as Everton finished a bemused and battered team'. He played 25 League games, scoring three goals, one League Cup tie and 13 Central League games, scoring five goals, for Blackpool in the 1965/66 season.
In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 15 August 1966, he missed chances that prompted one critic to note ominously in view of what was to come, 'a warning that more sharpness near goal is still required'. But overall, playing at centre forward, he 'moved well enough to create room for his other forwards' as Blackpool won 2-0.
He began the 1966/67 league season at outside left but then played a couple of games at outside right before being given an extended run at inside left, beginning with the game against Burnley on 1 October 1966 when Blackpool lost 1-0. However, after a couple of games, the press comment was 'Ian Moir, that sometimes brilliant and often erratic wingman, has added a lot more drive to the attack in two games at inside left [he also played in the same position in a drawn League Cup tie against Chelsea on 5 October 1966]. The overall net product of the switch has been modest but Moir was definitely a rejuvenated player in both forward role and adding more drive to the attack.' Asked if this was the start of a bright new beginning he said, 'It’s a bit early to say yet but things went quite well for me in both games.'
Blackpool had a dreadful season at home, winning only one game and in that game Moir, from his new inside left position, scored twice as Newcastle United were routed 6-0 on 22 October 1966. He continued in the inside left position for 15 games, missing only one game through injury.
When he lost his place in the league side he scored three goals from centre forward for the Central League side in a 5-0 victory over Preston North End reserves on 25 February 1967 and then, once again playing at centre forward for the Central League side against Leeds United reserves on 15 April 1967, he 'flickered through the game with occasional touches of brilliance but failed to stamp his personality on the game' as Blackpool won 2-1. He played 22 League games, scoring five goals, four League Cup ties, scoring two goals, and 15 Central League games, scoring 10 goals, for Blackpool in the 1966/67 relegation season.
His two and a half seasons at Blackpool saw him play 61 league games, scoring 12 goals, five League Cup ties, scoring two goals, and 28 Central League games, scoring 15 goals. With Alan Skirton claiming the right wing position, Blackpool felt that they could release Moir and he was transferred to Chester City for a fee of £7,000 on 12 May 1967.
He played 25 League games and scored three goals in his short spell at Chester when he was reported as being 'the shining light in the team, but [had] lacked support up front thus reducing his effectiveness'. Chester transferred him to Wrexham for a fee of £8,000 plus Graham Turner on 12 January 1968.
He had a fine career at Wrexham where he helped the side to promotion to the Third Division in 1969/70. In total he played a total of 144 League games, made six substitute appearances and scored 20 goals for the club and he was described as 'a brilliant ball player, who could be devastating on his day'. He was in the side that lost the Welsh Cup final 4-1 to Cardiff City in 1971.
Wrexham transferred him to Shrewsbury Town on 9 March 1972 for a fee of £10,000 and he played 22 League games, made three substitute appearances and scored two goals for the club. He was then re-signed by Wrexham on a free transfer on 5 July 1973 but his stay was short-lived as he played only a further 11 League games and made four substitute appearances, taking his overall statistics for the club to 189 League and Cup games, 10 substitute appearances and 24 goals.
He went to South Africa in the summer of 1975 and he played football for Arcadia Shepherds while over there. On his return to England, he signed for Oswestry Town on 28 October 1975 but his stay was only to last a couple of months and he joined Colwyn Bay on 2 February 1976 and played there for the remainder of the 1975/76 season.
He retired from football after the 1975/76 season, settled in Chester and took up employment at BNFL Capenhurst although he did have a spell of manager of Tarvin FC in Cheshire.
He died on 26 March 2015.
Gerry Wolstenholme
Ian Moir was born in Aberdeen on 30 June 1943 and, as a right or left winger, he had played for Aberdeen schoolboys and had represented Scotland at junior level. He was spotted by Manchester United as a junior and Andy Beattie, United’s Scottish scout, said of him 'When I first saw young Moir, I was convinced I had found the greatest of them all.' He was duly signed by United as a schoolboy in 1958, signing as a professional in July 1960 and going on to play 45 League games and score five goals for the club. When he was injured and missing from the team, he was replaced by a 17-year-old named George Best.
He was signed by Blackpool from Manchester United for a fee of £10,000 on 12 February 1965 at a weekly wage of £30 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team with such terms to be in place for two seasons. Of the day he signed he later said, 'It was just one of those days which start off terribly then have a happy ending. I wanted away because I wanted to play first team football more than anything else in the world. The news that they were willing to transfer me to Blackpool came as a complete shock. I like the look of the place and I’m sure we will be happy here.'
He made his league debut for Blackpool at outside left in 1-1 home draw with Leicester City on 13 February 1965 and the press reaction was 'Young Moir, who switched wings with Lea in the first half, did not have a brilliant debut, but he did show nice touches and offered some hope for his future at Bloomfield Road.' And about the supporters, Moir commented, 'They were very fair to me. Not over-critical. And Blackpool are a good side to play with. They play football. And they’re a good bunch of lads. They’ve made me very welcome. Just before the game Jimmy Armfield had a talk with me and put me right at ease.'
He played on the right wing in his second game on 20 February 1965 and he scored the equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United. The press comment was 'Moir and Ball made a good right wing partnership, the former being particularly prominent in the last 20 minutes' and this comment came under the headline 'New Boy Top of the Form'. He went on to played 14 League games and score four goals for Blackpool in the 1964/65 season and he went on the club tour to New Zealand in the close season of 1965.
He began the 1965/66 season on the right wing in the league side and only missed four of the first 25 games but thereafter Leslie Lea moved into that position and Moir was restricted to four further games that season, playing two at outside left, one at outside right and one in the unaccustomed position of inside left.
However, he made quite an impression in the Central League side with one report reading, 'The skilful aggression of Moir went for nothing' as Blackpool lost 4-2 to Stoke City reserves on 5 February 1966. And then, when Jimmy Robson scored four goals in the Central League side’s 6-1 victory over Everton reserves on 23 April 1966 he was 'fed by a stream of passes through the middle by wingers Horne and Moir and really rocked the Mersey boat as Everton finished a bemused and battered team'. He played 25 League games, scoring three goals, one League Cup tie and 13 Central League games, scoring five goals, for Blackpool in the 1965/66 season.
In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 15 August 1966, he missed chances that prompted one critic to note ominously in view of what was to come, 'a warning that more sharpness near goal is still required'. But overall, playing at centre forward, he 'moved well enough to create room for his other forwards' as Blackpool won 2-0.
He began the 1966/67 league season at outside left but then played a couple of games at outside right before being given an extended run at inside left, beginning with the game against Burnley on 1 October 1966 when Blackpool lost 1-0. However, after a couple of games, the press comment was 'Ian Moir, that sometimes brilliant and often erratic wingman, has added a lot more drive to the attack in two games at inside left [he also played in the same position in a drawn League Cup tie against Chelsea on 5 October 1966]. The overall net product of the switch has been modest but Moir was definitely a rejuvenated player in both forward role and adding more drive to the attack.' Asked if this was the start of a bright new beginning he said, 'It’s a bit early to say yet but things went quite well for me in both games.'
Blackpool had a dreadful season at home, winning only one game and in that game Moir, from his new inside left position, scored twice as Newcastle United were routed 6-0 on 22 October 1966. He continued in the inside left position for 15 games, missing only one game through injury.
When he lost his place in the league side he scored three goals from centre forward for the Central League side in a 5-0 victory over Preston North End reserves on 25 February 1967 and then, once again playing at centre forward for the Central League side against Leeds United reserves on 15 April 1967, he 'flickered through the game with occasional touches of brilliance but failed to stamp his personality on the game' as Blackpool won 2-1. He played 22 League games, scoring five goals, four League Cup ties, scoring two goals, and 15 Central League games, scoring 10 goals, for Blackpool in the 1966/67 relegation season.
His two and a half seasons at Blackpool saw him play 61 league games, scoring 12 goals, five League Cup ties, scoring two goals, and 28 Central League games, scoring 15 goals. With Alan Skirton claiming the right wing position, Blackpool felt that they could release Moir and he was transferred to Chester City for a fee of £7,000 on 12 May 1967.
He played 25 League games and scored three goals in his short spell at Chester when he was reported as being 'the shining light in the team, but [had] lacked support up front thus reducing his effectiveness'. Chester transferred him to Wrexham for a fee of £8,000 plus Graham Turner on 12 January 1968.
He had a fine career at Wrexham where he helped the side to promotion to the Third Division in 1969/70. In total he played a total of 144 League games, made six substitute appearances and scored 20 goals for the club and he was described as 'a brilliant ball player, who could be devastating on his day'. He was in the side that lost the Welsh Cup final 4-1 to Cardiff City in 1971.
Wrexham transferred him to Shrewsbury Town on 9 March 1972 for a fee of £10,000 and he played 22 League games, made three substitute appearances and scored two goals for the club. He was then re-signed by Wrexham on a free transfer on 5 July 1973 but his stay was short-lived as he played only a further 11 League games and made four substitute appearances, taking his overall statistics for the club to 189 League and Cup games, 10 substitute appearances and 24 goals.
He went to South Africa in the summer of 1975 and he played football for Arcadia Shepherds while over there. On his return to England, he signed for Oswestry Town on 28 October 1975 but his stay was only to last a couple of months and he joined Colwyn Bay on 2 February 1976 and played there for the remainder of the 1975/76 season.
He retired from football after the 1975/76 season, settled in Chester and took up employment at BNFL Capenhurst although he did have a spell of manager of Tarvin FC in Cheshire.
He died on 26 March 2015.
Gerry Wolstenholme
First-class full back and first-rate manager
Ronald (Ronnie) Suart 1920-2015
Ronnie Suart was born in Barrow on 18 November 1920 and, after school football, he signed as an amateur centre half for Netherfield. Blackpool were alerted to his potential and he was signed by the club on 30 December 1938. His wage was to be £3 per week up to 26 January 1939 but after he 'played remarkably well' in a private practice match held mid week in January 1939, his contract was extended and his weekly terms for the remainder of the season were revised to £4 per week plus £1 extra when playing in the first team. Then later in the year, Blackpool were so pleased with his progress that they made a generous 'three-figure' payment to Netherfield.
After playing in the junior teams, he made his senior debut for Blackpool in the Central League side against Sheffield United reserves on 21 January 1939 when Blackpool won 3-0. Then, playing for the ‘A’ team against Lancaster City Reserves on 28 January 1939 he and fellow half back Bray were spoken of as 'noteworthy players' in Blackpool's 3-2 defeat. He played in two further Central League games in that season, a 2-0 victory over Stoke City reserves, when he was moved to left back, and a 3-1 defeat by Bury reserves. He also appeared for a strong Blackpool representative side against a Scottish Juvenile FA XI on 22 April 1939 when Blackpool won 6-0.
He had also appeared for Blackpool in the North West Midweek League during the 1938/39 season and his form was so good that at the end of the season he was selected to play for the Rest of the League XI against Preston North End.
He began the 1939/40 season at centre half for the reserve side in the Football League Benevolent Fund match against Preston when Blackpool won 4-2 but then, just as he was being spoken of as a possible first team player, World War II broke out and his career was put on hold. In that first wartime season he did play a few unofficial reserve games and he made his initial appearance in the first team, at centre half, in a North West Regional League game against Rochdale on 28 May 1940; the game was drawn 3-3.
Wartime duties severely restricted his appearances but over the four season 1941/42 to 1945/46 he managed to make 64 appearances for Blackpool, alternating between centre half and full back. Then when the official FA Cup re-started in the 1945/46 season he made his first team debut, again at centre half, in the third round tie against Wrexham on 5 January 1946. The ties were played over two legs that season and Blackpool won both games 4-1. He went on to play in three of the other four FA Cup ties that season.
He began the 1946/47 season as the regular centre half in the league side, making his league debut in the opening game, a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town on 31 August 1946. He missed five games through injury but played in 11 of the first 16 games before Blackpool signed a new centre half named Eric Hayward, who took over Suart's spot in the league side. Mid-season he replaced an injured Hayward for five games and then he reverted to left back to replace Eric Sibley for the final three games of the season. In all he played 19 league games and one FA Cup tie in the 1946/47 season and in addition he played in 10 Central League games.
His emergence as left full back earned him the spot in the league side for the 1947/48 season and by early April 1948 he was reported as 'playing with a confidence which is increasing with every match'. The turning point was noted as being the game against Preston North End in December when he had played an excellent game against Tom Finney even though Blackpool lost 1-0. Sadly the season was to end in tragedy for injury in the game against Sunderland on 12 April 1948 put him out for the remainder of the season and cost him his place in the FA Cup Final side. He was later awarded a runners-up medal by The Football Association. He had played in 38 league games and five FA Cup ties in the 1947/48 season.
He won a trophy as the Blackpool Football Club Two-Ball Champion, Scratch Prize presented by George Mee and Dick Seed, in the summer of 1948 and, fit again, he started the 1948/49 season in the league side against Sheffield United on 21 August when Blackpool lost 3-2. And he went on to be an ever-present in the side in that season, playing in all 42 League games and three FA Cup ties.
Although he began the 1949/50 season in the league side, his place was under threat from the emerging Tommy Garrett and after five games, two at right back, he was replaced by Bill Lewis and then Garrett. He reverted to centre half and played four games in the Central League side, his last for Blackpool being a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield reserves on 17 September 1949.
Seeing that he was temporarily out of favour, Blackburn Rovers were interested in signing him and they duly did so for a fee of £12,000 on 23 September 1949; it was at the time Blackpool’s record receipts from a transfer. His Blackpool career had encompassed 104 league games, nine FA Cup ties and 14 Central League games.
He went on to play 176 League games and 11 FA Cup ties for Blackburn Rovers up to the end of the 1954/55 season when he moved into management, taking over as player-manager of then non-league Wigan Athletic in September 1955. He was to return to league football when he was appointed manager of Scunthorpe United in July 1956 and he held the post until becoming manager of Blackpool on the retirement of Joe Smith.
He was announced as the next Blackpool manager on 11 March 1958 when Joe Smith decided that he would retire through ill health at the end of the 1957/58 season. Suart was by then a qualified FA coach and he was selected from a short list of three, the two others being Eric Hayward and Walter Galbraith, manager of Accrington Stanley.
It was stated that he was the first ex player to be appointed manager of Blackpool, although there is some possibility that Jack Cox could claim the honour for although Blackpool did not officially have a manager at the time Cox was re-signed from Liverpool in August 1909, he was unofficially known as 'player-manager'.
Suart said on his appointment 'Naturally I want to get to Blackpool as soon as possible, certainly before Mr Joe Smith goes, so that he can put me in the picture, as I am sure he will do.' He added, 'It all depends on how quickly Scunthorpe United settle the promotion issue. If we get four points out of the Easter fixtures then it could be virtually decided then, but in any case Scunthorpe have to play seven matches in the last 15 days of the season so, with average luck, we should get the necessary points from the first few of those games.' Apparently he had said on leaving Blackpool nine years earlier that he would like to come back one day and when reminded of that he said, 'I can well understand my saying that. Blackpool treated me wonderfully well when I was a player with them.' He added, 'I like the town too. So does my wife. We have two little girls and they should be very happy at Blackpool.'
Of his future plans at the club he said, 'I intend to work really hard at Blackpool. I have my own plans and, with the co-operation of the directors, players, staff and public, I am sure they will work out to the good. Following a man like Joe Smith, with his wonderful record, will not be easy, but I feel confident, and the thought of managing the club I once played for gives me a great thrill.' And he took up his duties at Bloomfield Road in May 1958 apparently without a contract. He was eventually given a contract but it was said that he was asked to resign after a humiliating 6-2 defeat by his former club Scunthorpe United in January 1961. He did not do so and, although Blackpool were becoming a spent force in First Division football, he was a well-respected manager and he signed a new three-year contract in October 1962 after he had turned down an offer to manage Cardiff City.
When offered another three-year contract, at better terms, in January 1966, he was expected to sign it within a week and he said, 'That is just a formality.' However, Blackpool's results faltered and when they were firm relegation candidates in the 1966/67 season, he resigned as manager in January 1967.
He was not out of work for long for in April 1967 he was appointed Chelsea’s assistant-manager under Tommy Docherty. When Docherty left Chelsea, he took over as caretaker-manager in October 1967 before the appointment of Dave Sexton. When Sexton left the club in October 1974, he was appointed manager, a post he held until April 1975. He then became general manager of Chelsea from April 1975 until 1978 and was appointed chief scout at the club in February 1983.
He later did some scouting for Portsmouth and Arsenal before being appointed chief scout at Wimbledon in 1992, a job he held until 2002 when he was released as the club struggled financially.
He later moved back to the Fylde, living in Staining and he died on 25 March 2015, aged 94.
Gerry Wolstenholme
Ronnie Suart was born in Barrow on 18 November 1920 and, after school football, he signed as an amateur centre half for Netherfield. Blackpool were alerted to his potential and he was signed by the club on 30 December 1938. His wage was to be £3 per week up to 26 January 1939 but after he 'played remarkably well' in a private practice match held mid week in January 1939, his contract was extended and his weekly terms for the remainder of the season were revised to £4 per week plus £1 extra when playing in the first team. Then later in the year, Blackpool were so pleased with his progress that they made a generous 'three-figure' payment to Netherfield.
After playing in the junior teams, he made his senior debut for Blackpool in the Central League side against Sheffield United reserves on 21 January 1939 when Blackpool won 3-0. Then, playing for the ‘A’ team against Lancaster City Reserves on 28 January 1939 he and fellow half back Bray were spoken of as 'noteworthy players' in Blackpool's 3-2 defeat. He played in two further Central League games in that season, a 2-0 victory over Stoke City reserves, when he was moved to left back, and a 3-1 defeat by Bury reserves. He also appeared for a strong Blackpool representative side against a Scottish Juvenile FA XI on 22 April 1939 when Blackpool won 6-0.
He had also appeared for Blackpool in the North West Midweek League during the 1938/39 season and his form was so good that at the end of the season he was selected to play for the Rest of the League XI against Preston North End.
He began the 1939/40 season at centre half for the reserve side in the Football League Benevolent Fund match against Preston when Blackpool won 4-2 but then, just as he was being spoken of as a possible first team player, World War II broke out and his career was put on hold. In that first wartime season he did play a few unofficial reserve games and he made his initial appearance in the first team, at centre half, in a North West Regional League game against Rochdale on 28 May 1940; the game was drawn 3-3.
Wartime duties severely restricted his appearances but over the four season 1941/42 to 1945/46 he managed to make 64 appearances for Blackpool, alternating between centre half and full back. Then when the official FA Cup re-started in the 1945/46 season he made his first team debut, again at centre half, in the third round tie against Wrexham on 5 January 1946. The ties were played over two legs that season and Blackpool won both games 4-1. He went on to play in three of the other four FA Cup ties that season.
He began the 1946/47 season as the regular centre half in the league side, making his league debut in the opening game, a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town on 31 August 1946. He missed five games through injury but played in 11 of the first 16 games before Blackpool signed a new centre half named Eric Hayward, who took over Suart's spot in the league side. Mid-season he replaced an injured Hayward for five games and then he reverted to left back to replace Eric Sibley for the final three games of the season. In all he played 19 league games and one FA Cup tie in the 1946/47 season and in addition he played in 10 Central League games.
His emergence as left full back earned him the spot in the league side for the 1947/48 season and by early April 1948 he was reported as 'playing with a confidence which is increasing with every match'. The turning point was noted as being the game against Preston North End in December when he had played an excellent game against Tom Finney even though Blackpool lost 1-0. Sadly the season was to end in tragedy for injury in the game against Sunderland on 12 April 1948 put him out for the remainder of the season and cost him his place in the FA Cup Final side. He was later awarded a runners-up medal by The Football Association. He had played in 38 league games and five FA Cup ties in the 1947/48 season.
He won a trophy as the Blackpool Football Club Two-Ball Champion, Scratch Prize presented by George Mee and Dick Seed, in the summer of 1948 and, fit again, he started the 1948/49 season in the league side against Sheffield United on 21 August when Blackpool lost 3-2. And he went on to be an ever-present in the side in that season, playing in all 42 League games and three FA Cup ties.
Although he began the 1949/50 season in the league side, his place was under threat from the emerging Tommy Garrett and after five games, two at right back, he was replaced by Bill Lewis and then Garrett. He reverted to centre half and played four games in the Central League side, his last for Blackpool being a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield reserves on 17 September 1949.
Seeing that he was temporarily out of favour, Blackburn Rovers were interested in signing him and they duly did so for a fee of £12,000 on 23 September 1949; it was at the time Blackpool’s record receipts from a transfer. His Blackpool career had encompassed 104 league games, nine FA Cup ties and 14 Central League games.
He went on to play 176 League games and 11 FA Cup ties for Blackburn Rovers up to the end of the 1954/55 season when he moved into management, taking over as player-manager of then non-league Wigan Athletic in September 1955. He was to return to league football when he was appointed manager of Scunthorpe United in July 1956 and he held the post until becoming manager of Blackpool on the retirement of Joe Smith.
He was announced as the next Blackpool manager on 11 March 1958 when Joe Smith decided that he would retire through ill health at the end of the 1957/58 season. Suart was by then a qualified FA coach and he was selected from a short list of three, the two others being Eric Hayward and Walter Galbraith, manager of Accrington Stanley.
It was stated that he was the first ex player to be appointed manager of Blackpool, although there is some possibility that Jack Cox could claim the honour for although Blackpool did not officially have a manager at the time Cox was re-signed from Liverpool in August 1909, he was unofficially known as 'player-manager'.
Suart said on his appointment 'Naturally I want to get to Blackpool as soon as possible, certainly before Mr Joe Smith goes, so that he can put me in the picture, as I am sure he will do.' He added, 'It all depends on how quickly Scunthorpe United settle the promotion issue. If we get four points out of the Easter fixtures then it could be virtually decided then, but in any case Scunthorpe have to play seven matches in the last 15 days of the season so, with average luck, we should get the necessary points from the first few of those games.' Apparently he had said on leaving Blackpool nine years earlier that he would like to come back one day and when reminded of that he said, 'I can well understand my saying that. Blackpool treated me wonderfully well when I was a player with them.' He added, 'I like the town too. So does my wife. We have two little girls and they should be very happy at Blackpool.'
Of his future plans at the club he said, 'I intend to work really hard at Blackpool. I have my own plans and, with the co-operation of the directors, players, staff and public, I am sure they will work out to the good. Following a man like Joe Smith, with his wonderful record, will not be easy, but I feel confident, and the thought of managing the club I once played for gives me a great thrill.' And he took up his duties at Bloomfield Road in May 1958 apparently without a contract. He was eventually given a contract but it was said that he was asked to resign after a humiliating 6-2 defeat by his former club Scunthorpe United in January 1961. He did not do so and, although Blackpool were becoming a spent force in First Division football, he was a well-respected manager and he signed a new three-year contract in October 1962 after he had turned down an offer to manage Cardiff City.
When offered another three-year contract, at better terms, in January 1966, he was expected to sign it within a week and he said, 'That is just a formality.' However, Blackpool's results faltered and when they were firm relegation candidates in the 1966/67 season, he resigned as manager in January 1967.
He was not out of work for long for in April 1967 he was appointed Chelsea’s assistant-manager under Tommy Docherty. When Docherty left Chelsea, he took over as caretaker-manager in October 1967 before the appointment of Dave Sexton. When Sexton left the club in October 1974, he was appointed manager, a post he held until April 1975. He then became general manager of Chelsea from April 1975 until 1978 and was appointed chief scout at the club in February 1983.
He later did some scouting for Portsmouth and Arsenal before being appointed chief scout at Wimbledon in 1992, a job he held until 2002 when he was released as the club struggled financially.
He later moved back to the Fylde, living in Staining and he died on 25 March 2015, aged 94.
Gerry Wolstenholme
January 6, 2015
Mr Dependable
John McPhee 1937-2015
John McPhee was born in Motherwell on 21 November 1937 and he began his football career with Douglas Water Thistle and North Motherwell before moving to Motherwell in 1955 as a part-time professional, this so that he could continue his engineering studies. When Blackpool signed him from Motherwell, where he had been one of manager Bobby Ancell's dynamic young side that was nicknamed 'Ancell's Babes', for a fee of £10,000 on 25 July 1962 he was primarily a wing half although he had reportedly played in 10 different positions in his last season at Motherwell, where he had become a full-time professional. On signing him on a two-year deal Blackpool announced, 'he should turn out to be a useful player' and his weekly terms at the club were £24 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He made his debut for Blackpool in the Central League side at right half against Bury reserves on 21 August 1962 when he scored one of the goals in a 3-1 victory. Then, after three Central League games, he made his League debut at inside left against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw on 1 September 1962. Manager Ronnie Suart introduced him in the forward line to revitalise the attack and he made a very favourable impression as he 'started really well and throughout showed himself to be a vigorous player'. Thereafter in his first season he missed only one game, playing 37 League games, scoring six goals, two FA Cup ties, scoring one goal, and three League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He had also played in three Central League games, scoring two goals.
Starting the 1963/64 season in the half back line and then moving to inside left, he showed his versatility when he was tried at centre forward against Bolton Wanderers on 7 March 1964 and he repaid the manager's faith by scoring one of the goals in a 2-0 victory. That season saw him play 30 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties and 10 Central League games. He secured a new two-year deal for the 1964/65 season when his terms were marginally revised to £25 per week plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He started the 1964/65 season at centre forward in the Central League side and began in goalscoring form as he scored twice in a 4-2 victory second game over Liverpool reserves and twice in the Central League side’s 4-1 victory over Bury reserves on 5 September 1964.
His form was such that he deservedly regained his League place, perhaps surprisingly
at outside right, against West Bromwich Albion on 7 November 1964 when Blackpool won 3-1. The following week he reverted to a more usual right half for the game against Manchester United on 14 November 1964 when Blackpool lost 2-1. Thereafter he played occasional games at inside left, inside right, centre forward and outside right again but mostly he filled the right half position, finishing the 1964/65 season having played 26 League games, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and 12 Central League games, scoring four goals.
His wholehearted displays earned him the fans' nickname of 'Chopper', and he certainly was a hard tackler, and he was voted Blackpool Supporters’ Club Player of the Year in the 1964/65 season. Chairman Harry Alker said, 'John was a reasonably clear winner and a popular one. I think the supporters picked him because of his loyalty and play-anywhere attitude, rather than someone who does something spectacular one day and nothing the next.' A delighted McPhee commented modestly, 'I wasn’t expecting it. I thought it would have gone to a better-known player. But I am naturally very pleased about it.' And manager Ronnie Suart remarked, 'In view of what John has done for the club I think it was a very fitting award. He has always been willing to play in any position without any grumbles and has more than adequately filled the positions he has played in. There is no finer clubman than John. He is an example to every player who feels that because he is termed a utility player he is something less than other players.'
He wrote his name forever in the Blackpool record books when he became the club’s first participating substitute against Leicester City on 14 September 1965 when he replaced John Craven after 83 minutes. Blackpool, who won the game 3-0, had to that point played 713 minutes first team football without using a substitute. Injury thereafter interrupted his season but he still played 26 League games, made four substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie, one League Cup tie and six Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1965/66 season.
In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 8 August 1966 he strained knee ligaments that caused him to miss the start of the 1966/67 season and, once again caused him problems throughout the season. However he was still one of the club's stalwarts and played 25 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties and 13 Central League games in that season.
Over the following two seasons he only missed three games, being ever-present with 42 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1967/68 season and playing 38 League games, making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, five League Cup ties plus one Central League game (on his return from injury) in the 1968/69 season. Then, speaking of the ‘play anywhere’ brigade of footballers in mid-September 1969, one national critic pointed out that Blackpool had such a player in John McPhee who he stated, 'has filled a number of positions in defence, midfield and up front with notable success in recent seasons'. He most certainly had been a success and the fans knew it and loved him for it.
He lost nothing the following season as, in Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Millwall on 11 October 1969, one critic reported, 'McPhee, the driving force and chief schemer in the Blackpool side was probably the best player on the field'. And, in what turned out to be his final season at Bloomfield Road, he went on to play 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, and play in three FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1969/70 season.
As a reward for his sterling service he was given a free transfer on 30 June 1970 after having played in 291 games for Blackpool, 249 League games plus 10 substitute appearances in which he scored 14 goals, 13 FA Cup ties, in which he scored one goal, and 19 League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He also played in 41 Central League games, scoring seven goals.
He was transferred Barnsley in June 1970 and he went on to play 26 League games and score three goals for the club in his one season at Oakwell. Barnsley then transferred him to Southport in July 1971. He went on to play 85 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and four League Cup ties for Southport where he was recognised as 'Southport’s most inspiring skipper since Arthur Turner.' In addition, he led the team to the Fourth Division championship title in his final season, 1972/73.
In 1964, he had acquired what became the Sheraton Hotel on North Promenade and after retirement from football he and his family continued to run, and expand, the thriving business. He also played golf and was a well respected and talented player at North Shore Golf Club.
He sadly died after a long illness on 4 January 2014. His former skipper Jimmy Armfield paid tribute to him with “It’s a sad time for everyone. He’s a player and a person who will always be remembered. John was full of life and a terrific person to have around the club. He was such a vibrant character. The first thing you’d say about him as a footballer is – what a fantastic competitor. He didn’t join as a defender but soon settled into the back line alongside Glynn James [sic]. They became a great friends. The nickname 'Chopper' was something we never heard in the dressing room. It was more of a fan thing. He was a tough player. He played for keeps, put it that way.” He added, "Although he came down from Motherwell, John really bought into Blackpool as a place. He loved Blackpool, became a successful businessman in the town and lived here ever since first arriving from Scotland. I think I played in all of John’s 291 games at the club, so it’s fair to say I knew him well. He’s someone I was very fond of and kept in touch with long after we hung up our boots. He’ll be fondly remembered.”
He will be sadly missed by family, friends and football fans everywhere, particularly those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed his competitive skills while he wore the tangerine and white shirt of Blackpool. Rest in peace John McPhee.
John McPhee was born in Motherwell on 21 November 1937 and he began his football career with Douglas Water Thistle and North Motherwell before moving to Motherwell in 1955 as a part-time professional, this so that he could continue his engineering studies. When Blackpool signed him from Motherwell, where he had been one of manager Bobby Ancell's dynamic young side that was nicknamed 'Ancell's Babes', for a fee of £10,000 on 25 July 1962 he was primarily a wing half although he had reportedly played in 10 different positions in his last season at Motherwell, where he had become a full-time professional. On signing him on a two-year deal Blackpool announced, 'he should turn out to be a useful player' and his weekly terms at the club were £24 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He made his debut for Blackpool in the Central League side at right half against Bury reserves on 21 August 1962 when he scored one of the goals in a 3-1 victory. Then, after three Central League games, he made his League debut at inside left against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw on 1 September 1962. Manager Ronnie Suart introduced him in the forward line to revitalise the attack and he made a very favourable impression as he 'started really well and throughout showed himself to be a vigorous player'. Thereafter in his first season he missed only one game, playing 37 League games, scoring six goals, two FA Cup ties, scoring one goal, and three League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He had also played in three Central League games, scoring two goals.
Starting the 1963/64 season in the half back line and then moving to inside left, he showed his versatility when he was tried at centre forward against Bolton Wanderers on 7 March 1964 and he repaid the manager's faith by scoring one of the goals in a 2-0 victory. That season saw him play 30 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties and 10 Central League games. He secured a new two-year deal for the 1964/65 season when his terms were marginally revised to £25 per week plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He started the 1964/65 season at centre forward in the Central League side and began in goalscoring form as he scored twice in a 4-2 victory second game over Liverpool reserves and twice in the Central League side’s 4-1 victory over Bury reserves on 5 September 1964.
His form was such that he deservedly regained his League place, perhaps surprisingly
at outside right, against West Bromwich Albion on 7 November 1964 when Blackpool won 3-1. The following week he reverted to a more usual right half for the game against Manchester United on 14 November 1964 when Blackpool lost 2-1. Thereafter he played occasional games at inside left, inside right, centre forward and outside right again but mostly he filled the right half position, finishing the 1964/65 season having played 26 League games, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and 12 Central League games, scoring four goals.
His wholehearted displays earned him the fans' nickname of 'Chopper', and he certainly was a hard tackler, and he was voted Blackpool Supporters’ Club Player of the Year in the 1964/65 season. Chairman Harry Alker said, 'John was a reasonably clear winner and a popular one. I think the supporters picked him because of his loyalty and play-anywhere attitude, rather than someone who does something spectacular one day and nothing the next.' A delighted McPhee commented modestly, 'I wasn’t expecting it. I thought it would have gone to a better-known player. But I am naturally very pleased about it.' And manager Ronnie Suart remarked, 'In view of what John has done for the club I think it was a very fitting award. He has always been willing to play in any position without any grumbles and has more than adequately filled the positions he has played in. There is no finer clubman than John. He is an example to every player who feels that because he is termed a utility player he is something less than other players.'
He wrote his name forever in the Blackpool record books when he became the club’s first participating substitute against Leicester City on 14 September 1965 when he replaced John Craven after 83 minutes. Blackpool, who won the game 3-0, had to that point played 713 minutes first team football without using a substitute. Injury thereafter interrupted his season but he still played 26 League games, made four substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie, one League Cup tie and six Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1965/66 season.
In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 8 August 1966 he strained knee ligaments that caused him to miss the start of the 1966/67 season and, once again caused him problems throughout the season. However he was still one of the club's stalwarts and played 25 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties and 13 Central League games in that season.
Over the following two seasons he only missed three games, being ever-present with 42 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1967/68 season and playing 38 League games, making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, five League Cup ties plus one Central League game (on his return from injury) in the 1968/69 season. Then, speaking of the ‘play anywhere’ brigade of footballers in mid-September 1969, one national critic pointed out that Blackpool had such a player in John McPhee who he stated, 'has filled a number of positions in defence, midfield and up front with notable success in recent seasons'. He most certainly had been a success and the fans knew it and loved him for it.
He lost nothing the following season as, in Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Millwall on 11 October 1969, one critic reported, 'McPhee, the driving force and chief schemer in the Blackpool side was probably the best player on the field'. And, in what turned out to be his final season at Bloomfield Road, he went on to play 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, and play in three FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1969/70 season.
As a reward for his sterling service he was given a free transfer on 30 June 1970 after having played in 291 games for Blackpool, 249 League games plus 10 substitute appearances in which he scored 14 goals, 13 FA Cup ties, in which he scored one goal, and 19 League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He also played in 41 Central League games, scoring seven goals.
He was transferred Barnsley in June 1970 and he went on to play 26 League games and score three goals for the club in his one season at Oakwell. Barnsley then transferred him to Southport in July 1971. He went on to play 85 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and four League Cup ties for Southport where he was recognised as 'Southport’s most inspiring skipper since Arthur Turner.' In addition, he led the team to the Fourth Division championship title in his final season, 1972/73.
In 1964, he had acquired what became the Sheraton Hotel on North Promenade and after retirement from football he and his family continued to run, and expand, the thriving business. He also played golf and was a well respected and talented player at North Shore Golf Club.
He sadly died after a long illness on 4 January 2014. His former skipper Jimmy Armfield paid tribute to him with “It’s a sad time for everyone. He’s a player and a person who will always be remembered. John was full of life and a terrific person to have around the club. He was such a vibrant character. The first thing you’d say about him as a footballer is – what a fantastic competitor. He didn’t join as a defender but soon settled into the back line alongside Glynn James [sic]. They became a great friends. The nickname 'Chopper' was something we never heard in the dressing room. It was more of a fan thing. He was a tough player. He played for keeps, put it that way.” He added, "Although he came down from Motherwell, John really bought into Blackpool as a place. He loved Blackpool, became a successful businessman in the town and lived here ever since first arriving from Scotland. I think I played in all of John’s 291 games at the club, so it’s fair to say I knew him well. He’s someone I was very fond of and kept in touch with long after we hung up our boots. He’ll be fondly remembered.”
He will be sadly missed by family, friends and football fans everywhere, particularly those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed his competitive skills while he wore the tangerine and white shirt of Blackpool. Rest in peace John McPhee.
