|
|
Stan Mortensen
He played 345 times for the club and scored 222 goals including three
in the 1953 FA Cup "Matthews" Final victory over Bolton Wanderers. The England
star remains the only player to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup Final at Wembley
Stadium. Morty - as he was known - also managed to score 23 goals in 25 England
appearances
|
|
|
Stanley Matthews
The first professional footballer to be knighted - was the most
renowned player of modern times. His professional career covered some 33 years.
When he retired in 1965 -aged 50 - he had made nearly 700 League appearances
for Stoke City and Blackpool and had played for England 84 times, including two
appearances for Great Britain. It was said Matthews' presence in a team could
add 10,000 to away gates. Matthews did not receive a single booking during his
long career.
|
|
|
Bill Perry
Born in Johannesburg Bill Perry found himself signing for Blackpool
after being recommended his manager at Johannesburg Rangers. He had previously
turned down the chance to come to England and play for Charlton but found the
idea of playing first division hard to turn down when joining the seasiders.
Bill made his debut at Old Trafford in a 2-1 win for the seasiders. Bill played
for Blackpool in the FA Cup final defeat against Newcastle in 1951 but his
sadness turned to joy after scoring the winning goal in the seasiders 4-3 over
Bolton in 1953. Bill went on to represent England three times after
qualifyingfor England via his father. Bill left Blackpool in 1962 joining
Southport for the sum of £3,500. He stayed at Southport for just one season
before moving to Australia to play there.
|
|
|
Harry Johnston
Before joining Blackpool Harry played for Droylsdon Athletic. He
became a seasider and made his debut in a 2-0 defeat at Deepdale. Harry made
157 appearances during the war between spending time serving in the Middle
East. Harry became the seasiders captain and lead the team out in all three FA
Cup finals. After leaving Blackpool Harry beacame manager of Reading. Harry
returned up north to the seaside town and became Blackpools chief scout and
then went on to run a newsagents in the town. Harry died aged just 54 and was
mourned in the town as one of the greatest ever Blackpool players.
|
|
|
Allan Brown
Signed for Blackpool for £26,500 in December 1950. Made his seasiders
debut in a 3-2 win against Charlton. Missed both FA Cup finals in 51 and 53
through injury. In 1953 he scored the winning goal for Blackpool against
Arsenal to put the Seasiders in the FA Cup semi final, breaking his leg in the
process. Played in the 1954 world cup for Scotland. Left Blackpool in feb 1957
to join Luton. Finished his carreer at Portsmouth and then went on to manage
then Cheshire League side Wigan Athletic winning four trophies in a season and
went 52 games without defeat. From there he went on to manage Luton Town,
Torquay, Bury, Nottingham Forest, Southport and then to Blackpool. After a
spell coaching in Kuwait he returned to Bloomfield Road for a second spell as
manager in 1981.
|