17 January 1948 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Blackpool 1

HANCOCKS’ THUNDERBOLT MADE IT A DRAW

Great goal in last few minutes

FINE DEFENCES

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Blackpool 1

By “Spectator”

HEAVY rain was falling as they began to pack in their thousands into the Molineaux ground, Wolverhampton, this afternoon. Rain cannot keep them away from football matches in this town where Major Frank Buckley and Mr. Ted Vizard have built one of the biggest publics for the game in the provinces.

There were nearly 40,000 inside the gates and long queues still outside them when the teams took the field.

The Wanderers, whose "forwards have scored the highest total of goals - 55 - in the First Division, played the men who won at Bournemouth in the Cup a week ago. Willie Buchan, who was appearing in his first game for Hull City this afternoon, scored the two goals for Blackpool in the 2-2 draw which these teams played last September.

BLACKPOOL: Robinson, Shimwell, Suart, Johnston. Hayward, Kelly (H), Matthews, Mortensen, McKnight, Dick, Munro.

WOLVES: Williams; Kelly (L). McLean, Crook (W), Shorthouse, Wright, Hancocks, Dunn (J), Westcott, Stevenson, Mullen.

Referee : Mr. S. Boardman (Altrincham)

THE GAME

Blackpool, who played in white, lost the toss, faced the rain, but in the first half minute were near the lead as Matthews from his partner’s pass, crossed a high centre which Dick lost in front of an open goal.

He retrieved the ball and shot into Williams’ arms.

The Wanderers’ answer was a crossfield raid which' ended in Hancocks centring a ball which Hayward headed out of a press of men almost under the bar.

FAST FORWARDS

Both front lines were fast and assertive. Kelly built one raid with Munro and Dick, which the packed Wolverhampton defence repelled before McKnight could reach the inside man’s centre.

In the next minute, with the right flank of Blackpool’s defence out of position, Mullen raced from the halfway line before shooting a ball which missed the far post by inches.

These Wolverhampton wing raiders required a lot of watching, were fast and direct. Williams lost a throw in by Johnston - one of the long distance sort - to concede the game’s first corner in the seventh minute of a half still as fast and nearly as exciting as a Cup-tie.

MISUNDERSTANDING

Three minutes later Hayward and Robinson each waited for the other, lost the ball between them with the goalkeeper yards out of his goal.

Hancocks darted to the loose ball, crossed it in front of a gaping goal where Westcott, standing alone with the open line in front of him. could merely watch the ball fly out high by the far post.

HELTER SKELTER

There was still little in it. Blackpool won the second corner in the 15th minute, Johnston shooting over the bar at a great pace when Matthews’ flag kick had given him a shooting position 15 yards out.

ALL OUT

Blackpool’s raid after raid

Within the next two minutes Mortensen missed a post from 30 yards, and nearly grazed the other with a free kick from a greater distance with Blackpool pressing all out raid after raid.

Not for a long time have I seen the Blackpool forwards and half-backs find each other with such confidence and precision.

Stevenson hooked Hancocks’ centre over the bar in one Wolves raid, which for nearly 10 minutes was the only interruption of a constant Blackpool pressure.

In another breakaway Hayward made a remarkable headed clearance almost on the penalty spot, but 15 of the first 25 minutes had definitely been Blackpool’s.

Wolves’ first corner came in the 25th minute. By that time Blackpool had won four.

LONG PASS

Yet whenever these Wanderers’ forwards escaped they moved at such a pace and employed the long pass with such intelligence that every raid had menace in it.

It is a long time. I am told, since the Wanderers were as outplayed on this ground

Yet no goals were coming, and it was, in fact, the Wanderers who were nearer a goal as Stevenson again hit a ball as it was crossing his path v and was only inches off a post.

That raid prefaced an amazing and unexpected storm in Blackpool’s goal area.

The Wanderers won three corners in a couple of minutes and Hancocks hit the bar.

That was the sort of white hot blitz in which these Wanderers still specialise.

NO MERCY

For minutes afterwards Blackpool were in retreat and were being battered without mercy.

Two minutes before the interval McKnight missed the chance of the half.

Matthews left McLean standing as a rebounding ball reached him reached shooting position and shot. Williams could only beat down the flying ball.

At the feet of McKnight it fell, was hooked wide of a post as a couple of men went late into the tackle of the centre-forward That should have been a goal.

Half-time: Wolves 0, Blackpool 0.

Second Half

The Wanderers raided persistently early in the half. Robinson made a daring clearance as Westcott hurled all his 12st. at him conceded a corner a minute later and in the next minute fell full length to hold a ball shot wide of him from 25yds. by the England wing half, Wright.

UNFORTUNATE Two minutes later Blackpool were unfortunate not to be in front. Mortensen zig-zagged through the Wolves’ defence, outpaced two men, shot from 20yds. a ball which hit the underside of the bar, cannoned back into play again where it skidded away from McKnight almost in the jaws of goal.

A corner for Blackpool followed which, unexpectedly Dick took. and Mortensen headed into Williams arms.

There came another corner for Blackpool, and yet another with the Wanderers’ defence still retreating and often reduced to little except desperation.

Still the Blackpool pressure continued. Minute after minute the game swept on the Wanderers' goal. Yet few shots came and they were far off the target Robinson took only his second goal kick in the 22nd minute of this half.

THE LEAD

Seventeen minutes from time Blackpool took the lead and took it deservedly, however uncertain it may have been who actually put the ball past the goalkeeper A long headed clearance by Suart put Munro in possession on his own. The wing forward crossed a high centre McKnight leaped at it. headed it against the bar. Back it cannoned to MORTENSEN whose shot appeared to hit Shorthouse who, in the end, facing his own goal, seemed to stab the ball past his own goalkeeper in a riotous confusion.

That put the Wanderers on the warpath again.

Robinson made one wonder clearance from Westcott two minutes after the goal, but with the Wanderers all out again it was 1-1 with nine minutes left.

This was a great goal - the culmination of a full line advance. HANCOCKS took the last pass, raced 20yds, swerved two men, and from the edge of the penalty area shot a ball of such pace that it past Robinson, hit the back of the net and cannoned out almost outside the penalty area.

Blackpool’s goal was in a state of siege in the last few minutes.

Result:

WOLVES 1 (Hancocks 81 min)

BLACKPOOL 1 (Mortensen 73 min)

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COMMENTS ON THE GAME

A draw was a fair result, Blackpool had forwards who could play, and for minutes on end they played football which, in approach, had class all over it.

The Wanderers had forwards who with less of the game always packed the greater punch. That was the difference between the two teams.

Otherwise there was as little in it as the score indicates. Both defences were firm under pressure and admirably served by their wing half-backs.

Johnston played the game of an England man. Kelly was nearly all the time his equal which is a big compliment to a young man whose football in recent games has been a revelation.

Blackpool obviously required only one marksman to have won this game.

The front line was infinitely stronger on the right than on the left for the Mortensen-Matthews partnership was never mastered and often raced almost at will on the Wanderers’ goal.

The full-backs had a good game against two of the fastest wing raiders in football, and now that Robinson has at last had his baptism of fire his inclusion in this team has been completely justified.

This was not Blackpool’s best game of the season, but. it was among the best. If only there had been a forward to complete those glittering advances.

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ONCE MORE —THERE IS NO REVOLT

Crisis rumours unfair to board and players

By “Spectator”

WHEREVER I go these days I am assured solemnly by people who cannot conceivably have inside information on the subject that there is a crisis in Blackpool football.

It depends, I suppose, as Professor Joad would say, on what you call a crisis. What I call a crisis - well, there isn’t one of those - not so as you’d notice.

Rumours ranging from the malicious to the ridiculous have been raging through the town again since the Jock Wallace Bombshell exploded all over the front pages.

People say, “There must be something wrong.” But why exactly should they say it?

Consider this Jock Wallace ease. The big goalkeeper has been one of my friends - and one of the best goalkeepers in the game - for 13 or 14 years. His loyalty to Blackpool has never been in dispute.

When about a year ago it was put to the supreme test he revealed himself as a Blackpool man first, last and all the time. Nobody has ever given service of greater devotion or fidelity to Blackpool.

Offered house

Blackpool have recognised this service.

The men who, according to the gossip-mongers have today treated Wallace with such injustice that he has been compelled to walk out of the club, have offered him a house in Blackpool - a house, which, when he declined it, Andy McCall, another married man on the staff, gladly accepted.

They knew of his concern about his wife’s health and gave him permission to go home to Scotland after every match and remain there until the eve of the following week’s game. 

They gave him a £650 benefit.

They could give him nothing else, with the best will in the world.

"Unsettling”

I HAVE seen all the correspondence which has passed between club and player.

The only grievance Wallace expressed in the letter announcing that he did not intend to return to play in the Cup-tie was that the weekend separations from his wife and three children were unsettling, and the long railway journeys they entailed and that he had decided to go back to work in the pits near his home.

Behind the closed doors of the boardroom this week he may have given another reason for absenting himself from training and - a fact which seems to have escaped notice - breaking a contract which is not the mere scrap of paper which too many people nowadays seem to think football contracts are.

Board's "No"

WHATEVER the reason - and I understand it was not unrelated to £ s. d. - the Blackpool board said “No” to it, as adamantly as ever Mr. Molotov uttered that word - and out stalked the aggrieved goalkeeper, possibly never to play in Blackpool football again.

I only hope that it is not the end.

I can reveal now that months ago Wallace said that this might be his last year in football, that at the end of the season he might retire and seek work in the pits again.

One’s chief regret now is that he could not be persuaded to wait until the termination of his present contract before taking a course which alone - or so he was convinced - would ensure his future.

With trumpets -

THEN, not only could he have left Blackpool football with all the trumpets blowing for him instead of the muffled drums which seem to have been attending his departure this week, but he would have had a bigger balance in the bank.

For, in or out of the first team, he would still have had a minimum of £10 a week for the remaining three months f the season, and another £10 a week from the beginning of May to the end of July without ever putting on his goalkeeper’s jersey at all.

I hold no brief for one side or the other, but in these circumstances and in the absence of any other facts it is manifestly unfair to blame the board or its manager for what has happened. And to call it a crisis is extravagant.

Case of Buchan

SIMILARLY, in the case of the other Scot, Willie Buchan, one of Wallace’s closest friends, who asked for a transfer and became a Hull City player yesterday - this was no one-man revolt either.

Buchan’s only complaint was that out of the first team he was paid £10 a week instead of £12 - a reduction in income which for a man with a wife and three children was, admittedly, important.

He was entitled in such circumstances to ask to go elsewhere, and with his record in England - 35 goals in 93 games, a remarkable record for a forward who has always been labouring under the milestone of one of those exorbitant £10,000 fees - it was not surprising that he should so soon find a new club.

The sliding scale

NEARLY all the other players who have asked for transfers at Blackpool in recent weeks have made their requests for similar reasons.

In these hard times nobody is blaming them, but as Blackpool are only permitted to field 11 men in the first team every week - how nice it would be if they could field a few others sometimes! - nothing can be done about it.

Only the abolition of the sliding scale - the rock on which Jock Dodds’ career at Blackpool foundered - 
could, I suppose, end it, but as this clause is not peculiar to Blackpool contracts, but is, I am told, in those of most First and Second Division clubs, the Blackpool board probably consider that they cannot afford such a luxury.

An injustice

BUT this is no crisis, no players’ revolt.

To pretend that it is or even threatens to be would make a good headline, I know, but it would be contrary to all the ascertainable facts and would be an injustice to the men - the Blackpool manager and his board - who deserve treatment a little less uncharitable than a lot of people these days are according them.

On the team, too, it casts an unwarrantable reflection, for if ever there was a team out to win every time it plays it is the one Blackpool are fielding today.

To assert that it is packed with malcontents is insulting and obvious nonsense.

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BLACKPOOL INTERESTED IN BROADIS

BLACKPOOL are among the 10 clubs interested in Ivor Broadis, Carlisle United’s 25- years-old player-manager and inside-forward.

A director stated today: “We have made inquiries about the player. But judging by the newspaper reports of the price wanted, the position will have to be discussed by the directors.

“We now await the return after the Wolves match of the manager, Mr. Joe Smith.”

Yesterday Carlisle turned down a £10,000 offer from Sunderland, saying it was “insufficient.”

Tottenham Hotspur, one of the clubs in the market, once had Broadis on their books as an amateur.

During the war he “guested” for Carlisle, and was eventually released by the ’Spurs to go to them.

Other, clubs interested in Broadis are Chelsea, Fulham, Blackburn, Bolton, Liverpool and Hull City.

Broadis, who has scored 16 goals this season, asked for a transfer to get into big-time football.

Buchan transfer hustler

A FEW minutes after arriving in Hull yesterday, Willie Buchan, the Blackpool inside-forward, signed for the city.

Several estimates have been given of the fee, but I believe it to be £6,000, the highest the Yorkshire club has ever paid.

City’s manager, Major Frank Buckley, who has formerly held a similar position at Blackpool, anxious to build up a promotion winning side, rushed the details through in quick time.

His assistant, Mr. Frank Taylor, sped to Blackpool by car on Thursday. He and Buchan went to Hull yesterday, and the transfer was completed at once.

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Jottings from all parts  

BY "SPECTATOR" 17 January 1948

THEY SAID IT WITH CAKE

AMONG all the Cup-tie telegrams addressed to Blackpool on the eve of the Leeds match was a parcel.

When it was opened there was disclosed the sort of mascot which the professional footballer in these austere days prefers to horseshoes, sprays of white heather, and all the rest.

For you can’t eat white heather - not even Scottish footballers! -or horseshoes, but you could eat the cake inside this parcel.

The girls of the Junior Supporters Club made it, decorated it with a sugar rose, and in the white icing inscribed in tangerine, “Up the ’Pool”

The cake was made by four Lytham St. Annes girls whose faith in the Blackpool team is sublime - Patsy and Vivien Lawton, Betty Crossley and Jill Horridge.

I am assured by the Blackpool players that it was a good cake. So it ought to have been. It had four eggs in it - the girls own ration.

***

You can call Bob Finan now “The Man Who Came Back.” He is one of those men -and I can name half a dozen others at random - who a after a cartilage operation, lose all their confidence. His deserted him at the beginning of last season.

“I can’t make it,” he said to me time after time. Blackpool sent him home for a holiday. It made no difference.

When, early this season, Manager Frank Hill, of Crewe Alexandra, wanted a centre-forward, he remembered the Scot who had led the front line in his promotion year at Blackpool. So he signed Bob, told him that he was nearly as good as ever, and persuaded him that he had to be.

And he has been since he went to Crewe. He shot two of the goals which defeated Sheffield United last weekend, and was chaired off the field.

Louis Cardwell, the ex-Blackpool centre-half, was in this conquering Crewe team, too, another star in a coupon-wrecking smash-hit.

***

BLACKPOOL’S 4-0 defeat of Leeds United a week ago was the club’s biggest victory ever in the F.A. Cup. That’s a fact which has escaped notice.

In all Cup-ties since 1906 only one other Blackpool team ever scored four goals in a match. That was a sensational game - the 4-1 defeat of Derby County at the Baseball Ground in 1920 after the County had played a goalless draw at Blackpool.

That was the day when the street hawkers were selling memorial cards, “To the memory of Blackpool in the Cup...........” and sold a lot until the bottom fell out of the market.

***

THE records will always contain the line for the F.A. Cup (Third Round) this year: Blackpool 4, Leeds United 0. 

Nobody in Blackpool will complain about it, either. Yet it should have been: “Blackpool 5 Leeds United 0.”

Press photographers close to the south goal are prepared to go on oath - and one of them has a negative which confirms it - that the ball was not less than 18 inches over the line in one Blackpool attack which ended in a claim for a goal which the referee - and an efficient referee he was, too, Mr. H. Bryan, of Tipton, Staffs. - refused.

***

GEORGE TWOMEY of Leeds is a goalkeeper who no longer wants to be beside the seaside - not if it’s Blackpool.

Last season he came to town in a Central League match, finished the game as a stretcher case in the Victoria Hospital, and was there informed that the final score was 11-0 for Blackpool’s second team. 

A few months earlier in Leeds these second - team forwards had shot four goals past him.

Now the first team forwards have had a go at him and beaten. him four times in last week’s Cup-tie.

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BARROW’S undefeated away record was lost at Stamford Bridge in the Cup-tie last weekend. Yet one man in the Barrow team lost nothing of his reputation.

Alec Roxburgh, who still lives and trains at Blackpool and who made one of his last previous appearances in London when he played for England in a wartime international, had all the critics praising him.

Five goals were shot past him, but, according to one writer, “there might have been 15 if he had not been a goalkeeper out of the ordinary.”

A saved penalty was one of his achievements.

 ***

IF Jock Wallace has played his last match for Blackpool - and I hope that he has not, for nobody can deny that he’s still a first-class goalkeeper -he will leave the town with a record achieved by no other goalkeeper in the club’s history.

He has missed only 32 games since he played his first match for Blackpool at Lincoln on February 17, 1934, made 220 out of a possible 252 appearances, and in 1935-36 became the first Blackpool goalkeeper between the wars to play in every match of a season.

 ***

GEORGE FARROW played his second game for Sheffield United last Saturday - another Central League match - and at left-half this time.

I was watching a few of the Blackpool players at practice as I talked to him one day this week. “It’s a bit thick - the mud,” I said. “You should go to Bramall-lane,” said George.

The Sheffield ground is a notorious glue-pot. These days, after all the January rains, it resembles a slice of the Goodwin Sands.

Not that George minds. Some of the best games I have ever seen him play have been in the slime.

Remember the Blackburn Rovers match at Christmas, 1946?

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WALTER RICKETT, Blackpool’s new forward from Sheffield, watched the Blackpool - Leeds United Cup-tie. He hurt himself m training at Bramall-lane during' the week, and could not play for the second team.

I hear that he revealed his versatility in his first game in a tangerine jersey at Bury a fortnight ago, when he transferred to the outside-right position late in the match and gave no impression of being out of position.

He is one of the few wing forwards in present-day football who can play on either flank.

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TWO of the happiest men in London a week ago:

Mr. Allan Ure, the Bradford trainer, who three times held the trainer’s post at Blackpool, and George Ainsley, the Bradford centre - forward and first of Blackpool’s wartime captains.

Why the rejoicing? Well, you know what happened at Highbury, where Bradford happened to be playing.

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MANAGER JOE SMITH was not at Blackpool to watch his team defeat Leeds United in the Cup. He saw instead the sensational dismissal of last season’s Cup Finalists, Burnley, at Turf Moor.

Whatever designs he may have had on a Swindon Town forward had, as a result, to be deferred. The Town’s answer to all offers, after this match was: “Not until we’re out of the Cup.”

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NEVER a dull moment in Blackpool football.........

The Jock Wallace case inevitably recalls even if it is not half as dramatic, the disappearance way back in the '30’s of the happy-go-lucky full-back, Jack O’Donnell, who boarded one of the trawlers of the Icelandic fleet at Fleetwood one day, went to sleep, and, according to his story, awakened only when she was far out to sea.

He spent a fortnight aboard her while there were all manner of alarms and excursions ashore. That was a front-page story, a nine - days - or, to be exact 14-days - wonder while it lasted.

Where’s Jack now. I wonder. Last I heard of him he was back in his native North-East. Wherever it is he will be refusing to take life seriously.

 ***

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“We will make Blackpool go all the way" 
say the young men of Chester

From our Chester correspondent

KEENLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY ARE DRAWN AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE THIRD TIME, CHESTER ARE IN NO WAY DISMAYED BY THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE TO VISIT BLOOMFIELD-ROAD NEXT SATURDAY.

While respecting the might of the opposition, Chester's young side think they can make Blackpool go all the way for a place in the fifth round.

Their manager, Mr. Frank Brown, who played for Blackpool soon after the first European war, seems to sum up the position fairly when he says:-

“I could certainly have fancied our chance if we had been drawn at home, but in spite of the galaxy of talent I can assure you that Blackpool will have to fight very hard.

The Chester team which won at Crystal Palace on Saturday is made up of five full professionals, five part- time professionals, and one amateur, and if there is a change for the Cup-tie at Blackpool it will concern the wing positions.

Turner, a brilliant outside- right, has been out of the game for about two months with a tom ligament of the knee, but is now back in training. It may be that he will be risked at Blackpool because the wing positions have been Chester’s big headache this season.

At least one Blackpool player is likely to have due respect for the Cup opposition, and that is Stanley Matthews, who is not likely to forget the two gruelling games against them in the corresponding round last season when he was with Stoke.

 ***

And if Blackpool win - 

IF Blackpool defeat Chester next weekend - and why shouldn’t I write “if” after all that happened last weekend at Highbury, Colchester, Burnley and Crewe?  - a First Division game on the club’s fixture list will have to be postponed.

Date of the Fifth Round is February 7, when Blackpool should be at Sunderland, who are out of the Cup already.

It would be a change for Blackpool to pay compensation because of an engagement in the Cup instead of being paid it.

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CUP FIGHTERS OF A CATHEDRAL CITY
THE CLUB - AND THE PLAYERS

CHESTER, who play in blue and white vertical stripes, spent their early days in the Cheshire County League.

Best-known figure in the club is Mr. Harry Mansley, secretary of the Northern Section and vice-chairman of the club. He has been a director of Chester for 30 years.

The club has been playing continually since 1884, and were successful in gaining admission to the Football League in 1931.

Their original ground was in Whipcord-lane, Chester, and in 1930 the club colours were changed from black and white stripes. The Stadium, exactly one mile from Chester Cross, is the club’s present home.

Chester are holders of the Welsh Senior Cup and the Cheshire Bowl, and their “A” team champions of the Chester and District League.

WHO’S WHO

Here are pen pictures of the Chester players:-

GEORGE SCALES, goalkeeper.  

The first of the part-time “pros.” He works at the Linotype works at Altrincham, and Chester have never regretted snapping him up when Manchester City gave him a “free” during the war.

He is the big reason why Chester are still in the Cup, because he played an amazing game at Crystal Palace. He is fearless, and has the agility of a circus acrobat.

FRED WILCOX, right-back.

Was a gift from heaven from Everton during the last close season. When the Goodison club granted him a free transfer,

Chester gave him a trial, and he lost no time in winning his spurs.

Two-footed and very fast, this Warrington boy is proving one of the best backs in the Northern Section, and shrewd judges say Everton will yet bitterly regret parting with him.

DAVE McNEIL, left-back. 

Is another who has refused to give up his job for football. A local boy, he is a draughtsman in a city engineering works.

He was more than a match for the great Matthews in their tussles last season, and hopes to enjoy the same success next Saturday. Positions himself well, and is an excellent punter of the ball.

GEORGE WILLIAMSON, right-half.

Is in his first season with Chester. Was spotted by Manager Brown when playing in Army football locally during the war. Would have been signed up then, but was on Middlesbrough’s books. Is only 21. but stands over 6ft. and is a brilliant distributor of the ball. Promises to be big money spinner for Chester.

ERIC LEE, centre-half.  

Has recently deposed ex-captain Trevor Walters from the position. Was “capped’’ for the England amateurs at left-half last season, and it was in this position that he appeared against Matthews.

A Chester boy. he is now at Loughborough College training to be a school teacher. Biggish made, he fears nothing, and is tireless. A relentless tackier, he is also very good in the air.

REG BUTCHER, left-half and acting captain. 

Another of the “part- timers,” and since leaving the R.A.F. has established a flourishing market gardening business in Waterloo, Liverpool.

Was signed by Alex Raisbeck when he managed the club before the war, and could have been sold many times over.

A grand sportsman and a fine halfback.

BOB HAMILTON. outside-right. 

Normally an outside-left but since Turner’s injury has been switched to the other wing.

Was with Heart of Midlothian when Army duties brought him to Chester during the war. Subsequently became Chester’s player, and when in the mood is a grand winger and opportunist.

TOM ASTBURY, inside-right. 

Is among the most-sought forwards in the Northern Section, but is so popular at the Stadium that it is doubtful whether Chester dare sell even if the player wanted to move.

He was born at Buckley, not many miles away from the ground, and was twice “capped” for Wales in wartime internationals. Is small but a great schemer.

TOM BURDEN, centre-forward.

Scored the winning goal at Selhurst Park last Saturday. Is really an inside-right, but a hard hitter of the ball.

“Guested” for Chester during the war with Blackpool’s Suart and McIntosh, and was one of the best bargains ever when secured cheaply from Wolves.

Is now a physical training instructor at a Bristol school.

RAY WESTWOOD, inside-left

Makes the third international in Chester's side Was secured from Bolton just in time to qualify for the third round, and promises to make a big difference to the side.

He earned his purchase money with a golden pass which brought the only goal against Crystal Palace.

JOE BROWN, outside-left.

The fifth of the part-time professionals. Secured from Port Sunlight Amateurs two seasons ago, he is a linotype operator at a Birkenhead printing office.

Has a lot to learn, but is very willing, and with Westwood for a mentor is likely to make rapid improvement.

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Chester's manager played in this Blackpool team

Living in Beechfield- avenue, Blackpool, Cecil Marsh, a survivor of the Blackpool team that won the Central League championship in 1919-20 - the only Blackpool team ever to take this title - had a few memories awakened for him when he heard this week that Blackpool were to meet Chester in the F.A. Cup next weekend.

One of his contemporaries in the 1920 Blackpool team was Frank Brown, who is today Chester’s manager.

Trainer of the team was Allan Ure, whose present team, Bradford, created one of the sensations of this year’s Third Round, by the overthrow of Arsenal at Highbury.

Goalkeeper was Jack Hacking, who since those days has played for England, and is at the present time the Accrington Stanley manager.

Jack Charles was the outside-right in the team that won the match which decided the championship at Nelson on the season’s last day. 

There was Joe Bainbridge, the full-back, too, and Peter Gavin, the big Irishman.

“Somewhere I’ve a photograph of the lads,” said Cecil Marsh, began hunting for it, found it, and sent it to the office.

When Frank Brown comes back to Blackpool next week he will find plenty to talk about to Cecil Marsh- and one or two others - and not all of it will he about the Cup-ties of 1948. 

A lot of it will be about a league championship in 1920.

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AT the South Shore Hotel at 7-30 on Monday we are holding the semi-finals and final of the players’ snooker tournament which the Supporters’ Club has been running.

The players still left in are Stanley Matthews, Harry Johnston, Jimmy McIntosh and Joe Robinson, and we are sure of an entertaining evening..

The committee are hoping this event will be well supported, and that members will come along and show an interest.

Tower dance

ALTHOUGH more than eight weeks off arrangements are well in hand for the St. Patrick’s Night dance at the Tower on March 17, when we are anticipating a big crowd and a grand event.

There will be many special and novelty events, so book the date now. Tickets will be on sale shortly.

Encouragement 

NEXT week we are again fortunate in being at home for the fourth round of the Cup.

Give the team cheers and encouragement, for Chester are bound to bring many supporters with them and another big gate is likely.

Cup-ties are very different from League matches, and our boys will be pleased to receive plenty of cheers.

We are hoping for a good run in the Cup this season. The players are doing their best - you do yours.

Membership

MEMBERSHIP is still increasing, but very slowly. May 1 remind all old members that the 1948 subscription is now due and should be paid immediately.

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