The 1952–53 season was Blackpool F.C.'s 45th season (42nd consecutive) in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division One, then the top tier of English football, finishing seventh.
1952–53 season | ||
---|---|---|
Manager | Joe Smith | |
First Division | 7th | |
FA Cup | Winners | |
Top goalscorer | League: Stan Mortensen & Allan Brown (15) All: Stan Mortensen (18) | |
Highest home attendance | 36,159 vs Preston North End, First Division, 25 August 1952 | |
Lowest home attendance | 13,284 vs Stoke City, First Division. 15 April 1953 | |
Average home league attendance | 25,835 | |
| ||
They were also the winners of the FA Cup, the only time they have done so to date, beating Bolton Wanderers 4–3 in the final. Although it subsequently became known as "The Matthews Final", Stan Mortensen, Blackpool's top scorer in all competitions that season, scored a hat-trick in the match. It remained the only such feat achieved in an FA Cup Final held at the original Wembley Stadium.
Stan Mortensen was the club's top scorer for the ninth consecutive season, with eighteen goals in all competitions. He shared the accolade in the league with Allan Brown. The two scored fifteen goals apiece.
First-team squad
editName | Position(s) | Nationality | Place of birth | Date of Birth | Apps | Goals | Signed from | Date signed | Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goalkeepers | |||||||||
George Farm | GK | Slateford | 13 June 1924 (aged 27) | 177 | 0 | Hibernian | September 1948 | Free transfer | |
Willie Hall | GK | Walton-le-Dale | 6 February 1926 (aged 26) | 0 | 0 | Preston North End | July 1949 | ||
Harry Sharratt | GK | Wigan | 16 December 1929 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | Wigan Athletic | May 1952 | ||
Full-backs | |||||||||
John Crosland | FB | Lytham St Annes | 10 November 1922 (aged 29) | 38 | 0 | Ansdell Rovers | May 1946 | ||
David Frith | FB | Liverpool | 17 March 1929 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | Apprentice | May 1949 | ||
Tommy Garrett | LB | South Shields | 28 February 1926 (aged 26) | 114 | 0 | Horden Colliery Welfare | October 1944 | ||
Roy Gratrix | FB | Salford | 9 February 1932 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Taylor Brothers | March 1953 | ||
Dai Powell | LB | Swansea | 19 January 1935 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Apprentice | December 1952 | ||
Eddie Shimwell | RB | Birchover | 27 February 1920 (aged 32) | 219 | 7 | Sheffield United | 20 December 1946 | £7,000 | |
Jackie Wright | FB | Atherton | 11 August 1926 (aged 25) | 54 | 0 | Mossley | June 1946 | ||
Half-backs | |||||||||
Jack Ainscough | CH | Adlington | 26 March 1926 (aged 26) | 2 | 0 | Astley Bridge | August 1949 | ||
Ewan Fenton | RH | Dundee | 17 November 1929 (aged 22) | 34 | 1 | Lochee Harp | November 1946 | ||
Stan Hepton | WH | Leeds | 3 December 1932 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Ashley Road Methodists | March 1950 | ||
Harry Johnston | CH/LH/RH | Manchester | 26 September 1919 (aged 32) | 297 | 11 | Droylsden | October 1936 | Free transfer | |
Hughie Kelly | LH | Valleyfield | 23 July 1923 (aged 28) | 167 | 3 | Jeanfield Swifts | August 1944 | ||
Cyril Robinson | LH | Bulwell | 4 March 1929 (aged 23) | 11 | 2 | Mansfield Town | September 1949 | ||
Forwards | |||||||||
Allan Brown | IF | Kennoway | 12 October 1926 (aged 25) | 61 | 19 | East Fife | December 1950 | £26,500 | |
Dave Durie | IF | Blackpool | 13 August 1931 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Oxford Amateurs | May 1952 | ||
Sandy Harris | OR | Hong Kong | 22 October 1934 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Scone | November 1951 | ||
Albert Hobson | OR | Glossop | 7 April 1925 (aged 27) | 42 | 1 | Glossop | August 1945 | ||
Stanley Matthews | OR | Stoke-on-Trent | 1 February 1915 (aged 37) | 164 | 5 | Stoke City | 10 May 1947 | £11,500 | |
George McKnight | IF | Newtownards | 17 November 1923 (aged 28) | 41 | 10 | Coleraine | June 1946 | ||
Stan Mortensen | CF | South Shields | 26 May 1921 (aged 31) | 242 | 170 | South Shields ex-schoolboys | May 1938 | ||
Jackie Mudie | IF | Dundee | 10 April 1930 (aged 22) | 61 | 25 | Lochee Harp | May 1947 | ||
Bill Perry | OL | Johannesburg | 10 September 1930 (aged 21) | 98 | 10 | Johannesburg Rangers | November 1949 | ||
Alan Withers | OL | Bulwell | 20 October 1930 (aged 21) | 14 | 6 | Aspley Boys Club | 4 July 1949 | ||
Graham Williams | OF | Wrexham | 31 December 1936 (aged 15) | 0 | 0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |||
Billy Wright | OL | Blackpool | 4 March 1931 (aged 21) | 5 | 1 | Apprentice | May 1950 | ||
Len Stephenson | CF | Blackpool | 14 July 1930 (aged 21) | 4 | 1 | Highfield Youth Club | November 1948 | ||
Ernie Taylor | IF | Sunderland | 2 September 1925 (aged 26) | 31 | 5 | Newcastle United | 10 October 1951 | £25,000 |
Source: [1]
Competitions
editOverall record
editCompetition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
First Division | 23 August 1952 | 25 April 1953 | Matchday 1 | 7th | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 71 | 70 | 1 | 45.24 |
FA Cup | 10 January 1953 | 2 May 1953 | Third round | Winners | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 85.71 |
Total | 49 | 25 | 10 | 14 | 85 | 78 | 7 | 51.02 |
Source: Competitions
Football League First Division
editLeague table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Charlton Athletic | 42 | 19 | 11 | 12 | 77 | 63 | 1.222 | 49 |
6 | Burnley | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 67 | 52 | 1.288 | 48 |
7 | Blackpool | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 71 | 70 | 1.014 | 47 |
8 | Manchester United | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 69 | 72 | 0.958 | 46 |
9 | Sunderland | 42 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 68 | 82 | 0.829 | 43 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
Results
editIn summary
editOverall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 71 | 70 | 1.014 | 47 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 45 | 22 | 31 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 26 | 48 | 16 |
Source: [citation needed]
By matchday
editIn detail
edit23 August 1952 1 | Portsmouth | 0–2 | Blackpool | Portsmouth |
Brown 4' Mortensen 49' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 43,478 Referee: R.J. Leafe |
25 August 1952 2 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Preston North End | Blackpool |
Mortensen | Wayman 37' | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 36,159 Referee: C. Fletcher |
30 August 1952 3 | Blackpool | 3–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Blackpool |
Taylor Matthews Barrass (o.g.) |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 31,317 Referee: F. Thurman |
6 September 1952 4 | Aston Villa | 1–5 | Blackpool | Aston |
Dixon | Taylor Mortensen Brown |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 52,688 Referee: A.E. Ellis |
10 September 1952 5 | Chelsea | 4–0 | Blackpool | Fulham |
Bentley 5' Gray 11' McNichol 69', 90' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 47,632 Referee: F.L. Overton |
13 September 1952 6 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Sunderland | Blackpool |
Mortensen Perry |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 35,350 Referee: A.W. Luty |
15 September 1952 7 | Blackpool | 3–1 | Chelsea | Blackpool |
Perry Mortensen Matthews |
Bentley 4' | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 28,892 Referee: F.L. Overton |
20 September 1952 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–5 | Blackpool | Wolverhampton |
Flowers 42' Swinbourne 64' |
Mortensen 28' Matthews 34' Perry 49' Taylor 68' Brown 80' |
Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 48,598 Referee: C. Fletcher |
27 September 1952 9 | Blackpool | 8–4 | Charlton Athletic | Blackpool |
Hammond 6' (o.g.) Brown 7', 43', 44' Mortensen 26' Garrett 46' Matthews 63' Taylor 65' |
Evans 29', 70' Lock 75' (pen.) Vaughan 82' |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 33,498 Referee: C.W. Bucknall |
4 October 1952 10 | Arsenal | 3–1 | Blackpool | Highbury |
Logie Roper |
Taylor 20' | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 66,642 Referee: J.R. Dunbar |
11 October 1952 11 | Blackpool | 4–2 | Burnley | Blackpool |
Mortensen 33' Perry 60', 70' Brown 82' (pen.) |
Elliott 62' (pen.) Shannon 72' |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 35,671 Referee: G. Black |
18 October 1952 12 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4–0 | Blackpool | Tottenham |
Ramsey (pen.) Duquemin Baily |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 53,928 Referee: P.F. Power |
25 October 1952 13 | Blackpool | 0–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Blackpool |
Woodhead | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 28,162 Referee: T.W. Glendenning |
1 November 1952 14 | Cardiff City | 2–2 | Blackpool | Cardiff |
Northcott Chisholm |
Taylor Hobson |
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 43,662 Referee: H. Ball |
8 November 1952 15 | Blackpool | 0–2 | Newcastle United | Blackpool |
Robledo Brander |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 26,362 Referee: T. Seymour |
15 November 1952 16 | West Bromwich Albion | 0–1 | Blackpool | West Bromwich |
Mortensen | Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 33,712 Referee: L.N. Peake |
22 November 1952 17 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Middlesbrough | Blackpool |
Brown 7' | Norris 9' | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 19,934 Referee: A. Wilkinson |
29 November 1952 18 | Liverpool | 2–2 | Blackpool | Liverpool |
Payne | Perry Taylor |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,336 Referee: H. Jackson |
6 December 1952 19 | Blackpool | 4–1 | Manchester City | Blackpool |
Brown Mortensen Taylor |
Williamson | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 19,496 Referee: R.P. Hartley |
13 December 1952 20 | Stoke City | 4–0 | Blackpool | Stoke-on-Trent |
Mountford Oscroft Fenton (o.g.) |
Stadium: Victoria Ground Attendance: 19,118 Referee: B.J. Flanagan |
20 December 1952 21 | Blackpool | 3–2 | Portsmouth | Blackpool |
Fenton Perry Taylor |
Harris 37' Froggatt 88' |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 13,562 Referee: R.J. Leafe |
25 December 1952 22 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Manchester United | Blackpool |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 27,778 Referee: W.H.E. Evans |
26 December 1952 23 | Manchester United | 2–1 | Blackpool | Manchester |
Carey 40' Lewis 80' |
Mortensen 10' | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 49,934 Referee: W.H.E. Evans |
1 January 1953 24 | Preston North End | 4–2 | Blackpool | Preston |
Wayman Morrison Finney |
Hobson Perry |
Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 30,696 Referee: C. Fletcher |
3 January 1953 25 | Bolton Wanderers | 4–0 | Blackpool | Bolton |
Wheeler Moir |
Stadium: Burnden Park Attendance: 36,572 Referee: F. Thurman |
17 January 1953 26 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Aston Villa | Blackpool |
Mudie | Gibson | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 21,258 Referee: A.E. Ellis |
24 January 1953 27 | Sunderland | 1–1 | Blackpool | Sunderland |
Wright | Hepton | Stadium: Roker Park Attendance: 53,653 Referee: A.W. Luty |
7 February 1953 28 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Blackpool |
Brown 4', 84' | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 21,702 Referee: C. Fletcher |
21 February 1953 29 | Blackpool | 3–2 | Arsenal | Blackpool |
Mudie 20', 27' Brown 85' |
Mercer 54' Goring 77' |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 30,034 Referee: J.R. Dunbar |
23 February 1953 30 | Charlton Athletic | 2–0 | Blackpool | Charlton |
Firmani 7' Kiernan 31' |
Hepton | Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 15,913 Referee: C.W. Bucknall |
3 March 1953 31 | Burnley | 0–1 | Blackpool | Burnley |
Perry 65' | Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 20,874 Referee: G. Black |
7 March 1953 32 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Blackpool |
Mudie Perry |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 26,796 Referee: P.F. Power |
14 March 1953 33 | Sheffield Wednesday | 2–0 | Blackpool | Sheffield |
Marriott Sewell |
Perry 65' | Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 40,961 Referee: T.W. Glendenning |
25 March 1953 34 | Blackpool | 0–1 | Cardiff City | Blackpool |
Northcott | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 15,227 Referee: H. Ball |
28 March 1953 35 | Newcastle United | 0–1 | Blackpool | Newcastle upon Tyne |
Taylor | Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 41,205 Referee: T. Seymour |
3 April 1953 36 | Blackpool | 2–1 | Derby County | Blackpool |
Taylor Mortensen |
McLaren | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 27,382 Referee: E. Plinston |
4 April 1953 37 | Blackpool | 2–0 | West Bromwich Albion | Blackpool |
Mortensen | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 30,592 Referee: L.N. Peake |
6 April 1953 38 | Derby County | 1–1 | Blackpool | Derby |
Lee | Mortensen | Stadium: The Baseball Ground Attendance: 24,795 Referee: E. Plinston |
11 April 1953 39 | Middlesbrough | 1–1 | Blackpool | Middlesbrough |
Mannion 14' Fitzsimons 32', 43' Spuhler 36', 79' |
Durie 11' | Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 38,847 Referee: A. Wilkinson |
15 April 1953 40 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Stoke City | Blackpool |
Perry | Mountford | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 13,284 Referee: B.J. Flanagan |
18 April 1953 41 | Blackpool | 3–1 | Liverpool | Blackpool |
Garrett Perry Mudie |
Smyth | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 20,073 Referee: G. Gibson |
25 April 1953 42 | Manchester City | 5–0 | Blackpool | Manchester |
Cuncliffe McCourt Spurdle Williamson |
Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 35,507 Referee: R.P. Hartley |
FA Cup
edit10 January 1953 Third round | Sheffield Wednesday | 1–2 | Blackpool | Sheffield |
Sewell 75' | Matthews Taylor |
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 60,199 Referee: H. Jackson |
31 January 1953 Fourth round | Blackpool | 1–0 | Huddersfield Town | Blackpool |
Garrett | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 29,293 Referee: B.M. Griffiths |
14 February 1953 Fifth round | Blackpool | 1–1 | Southampton | Blackpool |
Perry | Horton | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 27,543 Referee: B.J. Flanagan |
18 February 1953 Fifth round replay | Southampton | 1–2 | Blackpool | Southampton |
Walker | Horton 47' (o.g.) Brown 49' |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 29,223 Referee: B.J. Flanagan |
28 February 1953 Sixth round | Arsenal | 1–2 | Blackpool | London |
Logie | Brown Taylor |
Stadium: Highbury Stadium Attendance: 69,158 Referee: A.W. Luty |
21 March 1953 Semi-final | Blackpool | 2–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | Aston |
Perry 8' Mudie 89' |
Duquemin 50' | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 68,221 Referee: A.E. Ellis |
2 May 1953 Final | Blackpool | 4–3 | Bolton Wanderers | Wembley |
15:00 BST | Mortensen 35', 68', 89' Perry 90 2' |
Lofthouse 2' Moir 40' Bell 55' |
Stadium: Wembley Stadium Attendance: 100,000 Referee: B.M. Griffiths |
Squad statistics
editAppearances and goals
editPos. | Nat. | Name | First Division | FA Cup | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
GK | George Farm | 38 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
GK | Willie Hall | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
GK | Harry Sharratt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
DF | John Crosland | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
DF | David Frith | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
DF | Tommy Garrett | 38 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 40 | 3 | |
DF | Roy Gratrix | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | Dai Powell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | Eddie Shimwell | 35 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
DF | Jackie Wright | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | Jack Ainscough | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
MF | Ewan Fenton | 28 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 34 | 1 | |
MF | Stan Hepton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
MF | Harry Johnston | 36 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
MF | Hughie Kelly | 31 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
MF | Cyril Robinson | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
FW | Allan Brown | 26 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 31 | 17 | |
FW | Dave Durie | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
FW | Sandy Harris | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
FW | Albert Hobson | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | |
FW | Stanley Matthews | 20 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 27 | 5 | |
FW | George McKnight | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
FW | Stan Mortensen | 34 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 36 | 18 | |
FW | Jackie Mudie | 20 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 27 | 6 | |
FW | Bill Perry | 36 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 43 | 15 | |
FW | Alan Withers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | Graham Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | Billy Wright | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
FW | Len Stephenson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | Ernie Taylor | 38 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 45 | 13 | |
Players used: | 24 | |||||||
Goals scored: | 85 (including 3 own goals) |
Goalscorers
editRank | Pos. | Player | First Division | FA Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | Stan Mortensen | 15 | 3 | 18 |
2 | FW | Allan Brown | 15 | 2 | 17 |
3 | FW | Bill Perry | 12 | 3 | 15 |
4 | FW | Ernie Taylor | 11 | 2 | 13 |
5 | FW | Jackie Mudie | 5 | 1 | 6 |
6 | FW | Stanley Matthews | 4 | 1 | 5 |
7 | DF | Tommy Garrett | 2 | 1 | 3 |
8 | FW | Albert Hobson | 2 | 0 | 2 |
9 | MF | Ewan Fenton | 1 | 0 | 1 |
MF | Stan Hepton | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
FW | Dave Durie | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Own Goals | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
Total | 71 | 14 | 85 |
Clean sheets
editRank | Pos. | Player | First Division | FA Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | George Farm | 10 | 1 | 11 |
Transfers
editTransfers in
editDate | Pos. | Nat. | Name | From | Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 1952 | GK | Harry Sharratt | Wigan Athletic | — | |
May 1952 | IF | Dave Durie | Oxford Amateurs | — | |
December 1952 | LB | Dai Powell | Free agency | — | |
March 1953 | FB | Roy Gratrix | Taylor Brothers | — | |
OF | Graham Williams | Wolverhampton Wanderers | — |
Transfers out
editDate | Pos. | Nat. | Name | To | Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 1952 | CH | Eric Hayward | Retired | — |
References
editGeneral
editBooks
- Calley, Roy (1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992. Breedon Books Sport. ISBN 1-873626-07-X.
Websites
- Blackpool F.C. 1952–53 season at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
- "All Blackpool players: 1953". 11v11.com.
- "Blackpool match record: 1953". 11v11.com.
Specific
edit- ^ Blackpool F.C. 1952–53 Squad at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)