BLACKPOOL FADED OUT AFTER BEING ON TOP
Right wing was neglected
DEFENCE PANIC
Blackpool 1, Manchester City 1
By “Spectator”
SCENES which are becoming familiar in Blackpool football prefaced the visit of Manchester City this afternoon in the first of the four all-Lancashire games which are to be played by Blackpool in their next five engagements.
There were crowds outside the ground at noon, and a battery of loud-speakers directed the swarms from one turnstile to another as gate after gate was closed.
Blackpool fielded the men who won at Grimsby.
The City in town for the first time for 11 years for a First Division game shuffled their forwards
Teams:
BLACKPOOL: Wallace; Shimwell, Suart, Lewis, Hayward, Johnston, Matthews, Munro, Mortensen, McCall, McCormack.
MANCHESTER CITY: Swift; Sproston. Westwood, Fagan, McDowall, Emptage, Clarke, Black, Capel, Smith, Wharton.
Referee: Mr. W. Prescott, of Southport.
THE GAME
Thousands of Manchester visitors were in a crowd of nearly 30,000, and a chorus of rattles greeted a City whose forwards were led by Tommy Capel, the ex-Marine, who was in the City second team beaten 7-2 on this ground three weeks ago.
The City opened at a cup-tie pace, but the early raids led nowhere.
When, at last, Blackpool’s forwards were given possession, Mortensen served a perfect pass to McCormack, whose high centre was confidently fielded by big Frank Swift, playing again in his home town.
Blackpool’s forwards used the ball with greater precision. Matthews crossed one centre which McCall headed wide, with the City’s defence composed under pressure but inclined to lose position in the rapid exchange of short, fast passes by Blackpool's front line.
FAST GAME
It was fast football and in the open, football which had a plan in it, but seven minutes passed before Mortensen forced the first corner of a City defence still presenting a stonewall front.
Then, in the 12th minute, came a-disallowed goal.
Blackpool raided on the left. McCall crossed a bouncing ball in front of Swift. To it Mortensen raced, no man near him, shot it over the line with three-quarters of the goal gaping in front of him.
The cheers lasted only a few seconds, when up went a linesman’s flag. On it Mr. Prescott refused a goal which earlier he appeared to have granted.
City were outplayed before and after this little episode.
Continuously, Blackpool raided. Repeatedly Mortensen raced after passes into the City’s packed defence.
As often, too. Matthew's introduced the left wing into the game, racing away from his guards to find with crossfield passes a flank completely exposed by the City’s policy of massing nearly half its men on the right.
SWIFT SAVES
In the end. however, a shot came from this left wing, Swift falling forward to beat down a ball lashed at him from a narrow angle.
Two corners were won by a Blackpool forward line dictating the game, but seldom reaching shooting distance.
BREAKAWAYS
Hayward stops City’s forwards
In two breakaways the outplayed City might have snatched the lead. Each time, Hayward halted forwards as they raced into scoring positions, the second time at the cost of a corner which Suart headed away in a big leap.
Otherwise it was still Blackpool’s game.
Twice, Munro, cutting inside away from an unprepared fullback, shot into the side net as Mortensen waited in vain for a pass.
Thirty-five minutes had gone. Blackpool had monopolised nearly 30 of them.
Yet in the 36th minute it could have been 1-0 for the City as Smith raced away from Hayward and crossed into a gaping space a pass which Suart cleared anywhere for the City’s first corner.
Another minute and Suart, after losing the ball in one tackle, retrieved it and lobbed it back so high that Wallace had to make his best clearance of the half to reach it.
IN FRONT
Only a minute of the half was left when at last Blackpool went in front.
Almost inevitably it was that great attacking half-back, Johnston, who created the raid.
This forward pass on the left wing was taken and crossed.
Munro darted to it, squared it inside, left MORTENSEN to shoot almost beneath Swift’s falling body as the deserted goalkeeper fell in front of him.
It threatened not only to be a goal but a, tragedy for the City, for in a despairing bid to halt the centre * forward McDowall crippled himself and was carried off the field.
Half-time: Blackpool 1, Manchester City 0.
SECOND HALF
The City were at full strength with McDowall in position again when the second half opened with a Blackpool raid which ended in the left wing returning to Mortensen a pass which the centre-forward shot high over the bar.
That was in the first minute of the half. In the third the City had a big escape.
Munro found himself unexpectedly in possession of a clearance which hit him and bounced away from him. After it he raced, gave Mortensen a pass.
The centre-forward was in position for it, shot a ball which hit the bar at such a pace that it bounced back 20 yards.
SWIFT SUPERB
In rapid succession afterwards the former Blackpool fisherman in the City’s goal made superb clearances from Lewis and Munro. It was still all Blackpool. Then, as often happens in these one-way traffic matches came a sensation in front of Blackpool’s goal. Smith escaped on his own, crossed a pass which contained no semblance of menace in it.
As it flew low the ball hit a Blackpool man - hit, I think, Suart’s hand. Mr. Prescott awarded a penalty.
Capel took it, shot a low ball which came back off Wallace’s knees, was cleared by the goalkeeper after he had fallen desperately on it as the City’s centre-forward lashed it back at him.
The ground ’was still in a hubbub after this bit of drama when the City, three minutes later, in the 15th minute of the half, made it 1-1 after all.
Again Smith was the principal in the raid, found a loose ball, crossed it fast almost from the line, left WHARTON, who had cut inside, to race into an open gap and shoot past Wallace before a man in Blackpool’s defence could move to him.
McDowall had limped a few minutes earlier out on to the left flank of a City front line which had infinitely greater punch in it with four men and a cripple in it, then ever it had possessed with five fit men.
For a time the Blackpool defence which had held little except a watching brief all the afternoon was nearly raced out of the match, lost all composure and nearly all formation.
It was, while it lasted, an amazing somersault. It was still lasting with 20 minutes left. Gone was all Blackpool’s earlier assurance.
NEGLECTED
The forwards were seldom over the half-way line. At last the crowd began to chant “What about the right wing?” the wing where Matthews still stood alone, neglected and forlorn.
With 14 minutes left these Blackpool forwards began at last to storm into the game again. Mortensen hooked one long clearance by Shimwell over the bar after beating Swift in a race for the ball.
The City went almost completely back into retreat again as the end approached, and even after McCormack had been carried off and left Blackpool with 10 men.
The Blackpool outside-left was out of the game only a couple of minutes, yet in another Manchester raid, a second before he returned, Smith shot wide when he might have scored and won the game.
Blackpool won three corners in the last three minutes but it was all in vain.
Result:
BLACKPOOL 1 (Mortensen 44 min)
MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Wharton 60 min)
COMMENTS ON THE GAME
It was a great fighting bid by the City which retrieved a point in this game, but it was still a game which should have been won by goals long before Manchester’s forward line of four men and a cripple stormed unexpectedly and gallantly into it.
Nobody could have expected such a somersault in the last half-hour after all that had happened in the past 60 minutes.
In the first half it was one way traffic on the City’s goal with Munro and Mortensen chasing anything resembling a pass and constantly menacing the City goal in spite of the left wing’s squandering too many chances.
The defence still had nothing wrong with it during this time, had all the composure and confidence which abruptly deserted it under the City’s second half pressure.
Johnston was the sort of an attacking half back he can be, which is one of the best in the country. The two full backs, Shimwell and Suart, I have never seen stronger.
Then came the semi-eclipse. I shall never understand it.
Nor shall I ever understand why yet again Matthews was never given the passes to which his reputation and his superb football entitle him.
How much longer is England’s best wing forward for years to be on a starvation diet of passes in the Blackpool forward line?
Give praise to the City for winning a point against all the odds. They should never have been allowed to win it.
KIPPAX WOULD LIKE TO JOIN BLACKPOOL
Burnley decision may come this weekend
By “Spectator”
SOME subjects in football are dynamite. One of them is the amateur who seeks a release from a League club. Peter Kippax and his future in the game are T.N.T. today.
In a week of rumour and speculation about the new outside-left Blackpool have been seeking, this Burnley amateur’s name has been introduced.
No approach has ever been made to the player by Blackpool.
Such an approach would not only have invited the F.A.’s censure or even stronger disciplinary measures, but it would have impaired the good relations between the Blackpool and Burnley clubs.
At Blackpool’s headquarters their information about Kippax has been derived - as mine has been - merely from the reports which have been circulating about him for weeks.
That he was not content to play indefinitely in the Central League was common knowledge. No less prevalent was the rumour that if he left Turf Moor he wanted to enlist with Blackpool. This happens to be the truth.
Before the board
I UNDERSTAND that he attended in front of the Burnley board a fortnight ago and asked for his release. The decision was deferred. It was deferred again when again he made his request this week.
Now the Burnley directors are expected to say “Yes” or “No” this weekend. If it is “Yes.” I think this brilliant young amateur may come to Blackpool, and may even be playing against Burnley at Turf Moor next week.
If it is “No,” and his grievances are not remedied he can go to the F.A. and ask to be made a free man. But Blackpool cannot, and would not, exercise persuasion of any sort on him.
Rumour - mongers - please note
Scouting—by plane
A REMARKABLE week this has been in Blackpool football.
Twice in four days circumstances compelled the club for the first time in history to charter a plane for a scouting expedition.
The first plane flew from Squires Gate last Saturday, its passengers Mr. George Mee, who is assisting on the managerial staff these days, and Mr. Sam Jones, who has been transferred from the playing to the administrative offices at Blackpool.
Their destination was Swansea, the player under review Norman Lockhart, the Town’s outside-left.
The second plane took Mr. Joe Smith, the Blackpool manager, who had never flown before, to Brighten on Wednesday.
No fancy fees
THIS second excursion ended Blackpool’s interest in this player.
Mr. Smith was frank about it when I saw him yesterday.
“Whatever we require, I’m not prepared to pay fancy prices,” he said. “If we were down in the relegation zone we’d have to pay them, but we’re not paying them today.”
What was the price asked by Swansea? It was, I understand, the equivalent of £11,000, for the Town asked not only for a four- figure cheque, but for Jimmy Blair and for a remission of the fee for George Eastham, who went to the Welsh club in the late summer.
Blair transfer
SO those two charter fees for the planes produced no new outside-left.
But they were not entirely unproductive, for negotiations were completed for the transfer of Blair, and if the fee is not the reported £8,000, it is about half the figure.
Between £3,000 and £4,000 as the price of a couple of air missions is cheap.
Nor is this the end, either. For today another Third; Division club - Northern Section this time - are watching another Blackpool forward, and are prepared to pay for him a fee which is not mere petty cash, either. And he’s a wing forward, too.
Quite a week - and there may yet be further developments.
JIMMY BLAIR SIGNS FOR BOURNEMOUTH
NEGOTIATIONS were completed today for the transfer to Bournemouth of Jimmy Blair,
Blackpool's Scottish international inside left.
When Manager Joe Smith went by air to f Brighton on Wednesday both Swansea and Bournemouth made offers for the player, who was left to choose the club.
He has contrary to expectations, selected Bournemouth.
Working on a farm at Hereford during the summer and refusing for months the terms offered by Blackpool, Blair decided a week or two ago to return to League football.
He came to Blackpool as an unknown young player, son of a famous father, Jimmy Blair, of Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday, and played for Scotland against Wales last season.
His brother, Douglas, was transferred by Blackpool to Cardiff City at the beginning of the season.
Jottings from all parts
BY "SPECTATOR" 4 October 1947
The Grimsby way
THIS could only happen at Grimsby, where they're such nice people with nice manners, even if they've scarcely any money at all.
Into Blackpool's coach before it left Blundell Park last weekend climbed Coun. A. Drewry, Town director and England selector, and one of football's first gentlemen.
"Well done, lads," he said. “We held you for longer than we expected - we're satisfied."
Most people know how to win. At Grimsby they have learned how to lose.
***
MAN an England selector was watching at Grimsby was Harry Johnston the Blackpool captain.
England may yet take three men out of Blackpool’s team for one of the internationals this season.
Wing-half problems are be- setting the selection committee.
The recall of Blackpool’s left-half would not be surprising, and, as he is playing these days, would be justified.
I NOTICE that the young centre- forward, Godwin, whom Mr. Eddie Hapgood found playing on one of the Stanley Park airport fields last winter, has scored a goal in every match since he made it 1-1 for Blackburn Rovers in the Blackpool game at Ewood Park.
I am glad to notice, it - and so, I know, are the Blackpool people. They’ll be only too glad if he makes good in the game.
There's nothing dog-in-the- manger about them at Bloomfield-road. After all, they’ve discovered plenty of stars in other people’s firmaments.
BLACKPOOL F.C. Supporters’ Club have members scattered not only all over these isles but all over the globe.
Latest to register was a man in Gibraltar.
MR A. MORTIMER, the Huddersfield referee, finished the Grimsby-Blackpool match last weekend without his jacket.
He wrapped it about Harry Clifton when the Grimsby forward was carried off the field. Earlier, too, when this player was hurt late in the first half, he made a half-time call in the Town’s dressing room to ask about him.
Even professional football has its little humanities.
BLACKPOOL have now the smallest ground in the First Division. I heard at Grimsby that during the summer the Town were given permission to increase the width of one terrace by 16ft.
Before this the ground records were; Blackpool 31,787; Grimsby 31,653. There was only a matter of 134 in it. Now the one broader terrace would in days of unrestricted attendances give Grimsby the bigger capacity.
“What about the permit for labour and materials?” I asked. “We applied for it and it was issued,” I was told.
Similar permits were issued, as I know, at Burnley and Huddersfield.
Why not, I wonder, at Blackpool?
***
WHO, I asked the other week, would be the champion if a snooker title were at stake among the Blackpool F.C. players? My selection was George Farrow.
The Supporters’ Club, who have decided to settle the question, announce this week the promotion of a championship for the staff.
The public will be admitted to the semi-finals and final.
Of the Division leaders exactly a year ago - Blackpool, Barnsley, Queens Park Rangers and Doncaster Rovers - only the Rovers' finished the season at the top of their table.
Blackpool; ended the football year fifth, Barnsley 10th, and the Rangers second but nine points behind Cardiff City.
I agree with Trainer Johnny Lynas, of Blackpool, who says, “I’d sooner be where we are than at the top at this time of the year.”
***
NOTHING hush-hush at Grimsby. They tell the public everything - or nearly everything.
No other club’s programme, to my knowledge, tabulates attendances and receipts at the season’s matches. The Town publish them every week.
Last weekend’s programme for Blackpool's game announced £1,441 for the Manchester City match, £1,472 for the visit of Huddersfield Town. On such a revenue the Town make a brave show in the First Division.
As one Blackpool player said, “We want to win every match, but if we have to lose I’d sooner lose to Grimsby than to anybody.”
***
BLACKPOOL Supporters’ Club would like to inform its members that the loud speaker equipment is not yet complete. Completion should be made m the course of a week or two. so do not criticise the equipment yet. please.
Forthcoming events
A DANCE has been arranged at the Tower for early November, and tickets will be on sale shortly.
Through the generosity of the directors of the Clifton Hotel, a snooker week is being arranged for November 10 and 15, when Fred Davies will meet a number of amateur stars.
It is hoped to hold . the quarterly meeting early in November, and the committee are trying to arrange another “quiz” evening.
The Supporters’ Club are endeavouring to run a snooker tournament between the football players, arid the semi-finals and final will be open to the public.
Membership cards
THESE are now in the printers’ hands, and will be forwarded to members as soon as possible.
May I again make an appeal for members? We have had application from a number of outside places - London, Chorley and Nottingham and even Gibraltar - so now ’Pool fans, join the club immediately.
For the convenience of members on the “Kop” a committee room is being opened for inquiries and criticism behind the Spion Kop.
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