Blackpool F.C.
1896–97 season
ManagerNone
Second Division8th
FA CupFifth round qualifying
Top goalscorerLeague: Jack Parkinson (12)
All: Jack Parkinson (14)
Highest home attendance5,000 vs Newton Heath, 17 October 1896, Second Division
5,000 vs Grimsby Town, 1 January 1897, Second Division
5,000 vs Darwen, 16 April 1897, Second Division[lower-roman 1]
Lowest home attendance1,000 v. Woolwich Arsenal, 4 January 1897, Second Division
1,000 vs Walsall, 13 February 1897, Second Division[lower-roman 1]
Average home league attendance2,833[lower-roman 1]

The 1896–97 season was Blackpool F.C.'s debut season in the Football League. They competed in the sixteen-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing eighth.

Jack Parkinson was the club's top scorer, with fifteen goals to his name. Tommy Bowman, William Douglas and Bob Norris were ever-present during the club's 30 league games.

Season review

Blackpool's first game in the Football League took place on 5 September 1896, at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank. The visitors' starting eleven that day was: William Douglas, Henry Parr (captain), Tommy Bowman, Alex Stuart, Harry Stirzaker, Bob Norris, John Clarkin, Sam Donnelly, Jack Parkinson, Bob Parkinson and Charlie Mount. Mount scored Blackpool's first League goal, but they slipped to a 3–1 defeat.

A week later, Blackpool travelled to Darwen and chalked up their first victory, 3–2.

On 19 September, Burton Wanderers were the first visitors to Raikes Hall for a Football League game, and they returned whence they came with a 5–0 defeat behind them.

For the final game of September, the Seasiders hosted Manchester City. The match finished 2–2.

Another road trip ensued, on 3 October, to Leicester Fosse. The Midlanders took both points with a 2–1 victory.

After a fortnight's break, Blackpool welcomed North-West neighbours Newton Heath to Raikes Hall. The home side ran out 4–2 winners.

The following week, at Burton Swifts, Blackpool drew 2–2.

November began with a trip to Manchester City. The host won 4–2.

Lincoln City travelled to the Lancashire coast on 14 November, and Blackpool recorded their first win for a month. Bob Birkett, on his debut and in his only appearance of the season, scored Blackpool's first goal in a 3–1 victory.

Two weeks later, Notts County were the visitors, and Blackpool were the victors for the second consecutive game, this time with a 3–2 result.

Blackpool didn't play again until a 19 December visit to Woolwich Arsenal. They lost 4–2.

On Boxing Day, Blackpool travelled to Newton Heath and lost 2–0 in what appears to be, at around 10,000, the largest crowd of the season in a game involving Blackpool.

1897 began with a New Year's Day victory at home to Grimsby Town.

On 4 January, Woolwich Arsenal made the trip up from London. They returned to the capital with a point after a 1–1 draw.

Twelve days later, Blackpool travelled north-east to Newcastle United. The Magpies won 4–1.

On 23 January, Small Heath were the visitors to Raikes Hall. They won 3–1.

A third consecutive defeat occurred at Loughborough at the end of the month. The match ended 1–4.

After another break, Blackpool hosted Walsall on 13 February and chalked up their first win in four games with a 3–2 result.

Grimsby was the destination the following weekend. The match ended in a 2–2 draw.

Blackpool took on Leicester Fosse on 27 February, and ran out 3–0 winners.

Into March, and an away game against Small Heath. Blackpool won 3–1.

A third consecutive victory followed on 13 March — 4–1 at home to Newcastle United.

The Seasiders' good form ended in the following game, a 3–1 defeat at Notts County.

On 27 March, Blackpool returned to winning ways when Loughborough travelled to Raikes Hall. The hosts won 4–1.

Two days later, Blackpool travelled to Burton Wanderers and lost 3–1.

Two more defeats ensued: 2–0 at Gainsborough Trinity, and the same scoreline at Walsall.

Seven months after they met in East Lancashire, on 16 April Darwen travelled west to the coast. Jack Parkinson's strike gave Blackpool both points.

A 3–0 home victory over Burton Swifts ensued, before the final game of the season saw Gainsborough Trinity visit the seaside for a 1–1 draw.

Three players appeared in each of Blackpool's 30 matches: Douglas, Bowman and Norris.

First-team squad

Name Position(s) Nationality Place of birth Date of Birth Apps Goals Signed from Date signed Fee
Goalkeepers
William Douglas GK Scotland Dundee 0 0 England Derby County 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Full-backs
Bob Birket FB England Weeton 17 November 1874 (aged 21) 0 0 England Liverpool 28 July 1896
Harry Parr FB England Blackpool 18 April 1868 (aged 28) 0 0 England St. John's 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Half-backs
Tommy Bowman WH Scotland Tarbolton 26 October 1873 (aged 22) 0 0 Scotland Annbank 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
George Colville RH Scotland Tarbolton 18 March 1876 (aged 20) 0 0 Scotland Annbank 10 June 1896
Bob Norris LH England Leeds 12 March 1875 (aged 21) 0 0 England South Shore 30 May 1896
John Scarr LH England Blackpool 5 October 1874 (aged 21) 0 0 16 April 1897[lower-alpha 1]
Harry Stirzaker CH England Fleetwood 7 February 1869 (aged 27) 0 0 England Fleetwood Rangers 1894
Alex Stuart WH 0 0 England South Shore 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Fred Thompson CH 0 0 23 January 1897[lower-alpha 1]
Forwards
Tom Bradshaw OR England Hambleton 15 March 1876 (aged 20) 0 0 England Preston North End 27 November 1896
John Clarke CF Scotland 0 0 England Bury 27 January 1897
John Clarkin CF Scotland Neilston 1872 (aged 23–24) 0 0 England Newton Heath 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Sam Donnelly IR Scotland Annbank 1 January 1874 (aged 22) 0 0 England Notts County 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Nicholas Gillett CF England Lytham St Annes 1874 (aged 21–22) 0 0 15 December 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Jimmy Martin IF Scotland Parkhead 1875 (aged 20–21) 0 0 England Bolton Wanderers 1 November 1895
Charlie Mount OF Scotland Cambuslang 27 March 1873 (aged 23) 0 0 Scotland Cambuslang 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Peter O'Connor CF 0 0 12 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Jack Parkinson CF England Blackpool 27 August 1874 (aged 21) 0 0 England South Shore 5 September 1896[lower-alpha 1]
Bob Parkinson CF England Preston 27 March 1873 (aged 23) 0 0 England Luton Town 26 May 1896
George Winstanley IF England Blackpool 1875 (aged 20–21) 0 0 30 January 1897[lower-alpha 1]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Date of the player's first appearance for the club as the date of signing is unknown.

Source: [1]

Competitions

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Second Division 5 September 1896 24 April 1897 Matchday 1 8th 30 13 5 12 59 56 +3 043.33
FA Cup 15 December 1896 20 January 1897 Third round qualifying Fifth round qualifying 4 2 1 1 6 5 +1 050.00
Total 34 15 6 13 65 61 +4 044.12

Source: Competitions

Football League Second Division

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
6 Manchester City 30 12 8 10 58 50 1.160 32
7 Gainsborough Trinity 30 12 7 11 50 47 1.064 31
8 Blackpool 30 13 5 12 59 56 1.054 31
9 Leicester Fosse 30 13 4 13 59 57 1.035 30
10 Woolwich Arsenal 30 13 4 13 68 70 0.971 30
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

Results

In summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGAvPtsWDLGFGAPtsWDLGFGAPts
30 13 5 12 59 56 1.054 31 11 3 1 39 16 25 2 2 11 20 40 6

Source:

By matchday
Matchday123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
GroundAAHHAHAAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHHH
ResultLWWDLWDLWWLLWDLLLWDWWWLWLLLWWD
Position121366981011981013111112131312111110910101010101088
Source: 11v11
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
In detail
5 September 1896 (1896-09-05) 1 Lincoln City 3–1 Blackpool Lincoln
Lines
Kirton
Mount Stadium: Sincil Bank
Attendance: 1,000
12 September 1896 (1896-09-12) 2 Darwen 2–3 Blackpool Darwen
Hunt
McClung
Donnelly
Mount
Stadium: Barley Bank
Attendance: 3,000
19 September 1896 (1896-09-19) 3 Blackpool 5–0 Burton Wanderers Blackpool
Clarkin
Stirzaker
O'Connor
Mount
Donnelly
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 3,000
26 September 1896 (1896-09-26) 4 Blackpool 2–2 Manchester City Blackpool
J. Parkinson
Bowman
Hill
Mann
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 4,000
3 October 1896 (1896-10-03) 5 Leicester Fosse 2–1 Blackpool Leicester
Dorrell
Carnelly
Donnelly Stadium: Filbert Street
Attendance: 6,000
17 October 1896 (1896-10-17) 6 Blackpool 4–2 Newton Heath Blackpool
J. Parkinson
Mount
Martin
Bryant
Draycott
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 5,000
24 October 1896 (1896-10-24) 7 Burton Swifts 2–2 Blackpool Burton-on-Trent
Rae
Heald
J. Parkinson
Martin
Stadium: Peel Croft
Attendance: 3,000
7 November 1896 (1896-11-07) 8 Manchester City 4–2 Blackpool Manchester
Sharples
Meredith
Lewis
Bannister
J. Parkinson
Martin
Stadium: Hyde Road
Attendance: 6,000
14 November 1896 (1896-11-14) 9 Blackpool 3–1 Lincoln City Blackpool
Birket
Clarkin
Mount
Gillespie Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 1,500
28 November 1896 (1896-11-28) 10 Blackpool 3–2 Notts County Blackpool
Martin
Stirzaker
Bull
Boucher
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 2,500
19 December 1896 (1896-12-19) 11 Woolwich Arsenal 4–2 Blackpool Plumstead
Haywood
Crawford
B. Parkinson
Donnelly
Stadium: Manor Ground
Attendance: 6,000
26 December 1896 (1896-12-26) 12 Newton Heath 2–0 Blackpool Manchester
Cassidy Stadium: Bank Street
Attendance: 8,000
1 January 1897 (1897-01-01) 13 Blackpool 1–0 Grimsby Town Blackpool
Norris Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 5,000
4 January 1897 (1897-01-04) 14 Blackpool 1–1 Woolwich Arsenal Blackpool
Martin Brock Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 1,000
16 January 1897 (1897-01-16) 15 Newcastle United 4–1 Blackpool Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Wardrope
Auld
Collins
Smellie
Bowman Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 6,000
23 January 1897 (1897-01-23) 16 Blackpool 1–3 Small Heath Blackpool
Bradshaw Hare
Inglis
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 2,000
30 January 1897 (1897-01-30) 17 Loughborough 4–1 Blackpool Loughborough
Jones
Roulston
Stirzaker Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,200
13 February 1897 (1897-02-13) 18 Blackpool 3–2 Walsall Blackpool
Clarke
J. Parkinson
Parr
Davies
Griffin
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 1,000
20 February 1897 (1897-02-20) 19 Grimsby Town 2–2 Blackpool Grimsby
Fletcher
Bell
Martin
Clarke
Stadium: Abbey Park
Attendance: 6,000
27 February 1897 (1897-02-27) 20 Blackpool 3–0 Leicester Fosse Blackpool
Bradshaw
Clarke
J. Parkinson
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 1,000
6 March 1897 (1897-03-06) 21 Small Heath 1–3 Blackpool Birmingham
Hodgetts J. Parkinson
Martin
Clarke
Stadium: Muntz Street
Attendance: 6,000
13 March 1897 (1897-03-13) 22 Blackpool 4–1 Newcastle United Blackpool
Clarkin
Bradshaw
J. Parkinson
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 3,000
20 March 1897 (1897-03-20) 23 Notts County 3–1 Blackpool Nottingham
Murphy
Boucher
Langham
Bradshaw Stadium: Trent Bridge
Attendance: 7,000
27 March 1897 (1897-03-27) 24 Blackpool 4–1 Loughborough Blackpool
Clarkin
Clarke
Bradshaw
Roulston Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 2,500
29 March 1897 (1897-03-29) 25 Burton Wanderers 3–1 Blackpool Burton-on-Trent
King
Arkesden
Handley
Martin Stadium: Derby Turn
3 April 1897 (1897-04-03) 26 Gainsborough Trinity 2–0 Blackpool Gainsborough
Brown
Webster
Stadium: The Northolme
Attendance: 2,000
10 April 1897 (1897-04-10) 27 Walsall 2–0 Blackpool Walsall
Johnson
Griffin
Stadium: Hilary Street
Attendance: 3,000
16 April 1897 (1897-04-16) 28 Blackpool 1–0 Darwen Blackpool
J. Parkinson Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 5,000
19 April 1897 (1897-04-19) 29 Blackpool 3–0 Burton Swifts Blackpool
Martin
J. Parkinson
Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 3,000
24 April 1897 (1897-04-24) 30 Blackpool 1–1 Gainsborough Trinity Blackpool
Clarkin Unknown goalscorer Stadium: Raikes Hall
Attendance: 3,000

FA Cup

15 December 1896 (1896-12-15) Third round qualifying Darwen 1–2 Blackpool Darwen
Kinsella 11' B. Parkinson 20'
Donnelly 47'
Stadium: Barley Bank
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: J. Lewis
2 January 1897 (1897-01-02) Fourth round qualifying Chorley 0–1 Blackpool Chorley
J. Parkinson Stadium: Dole Lane
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: R.E. Lythgoe

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos. Nat. Name Second Division FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Scotland William Douglas 30040340
DF England Bob Birket 110011
DF England Harry Parr 29140331
MF Scotland Tommy Bowman 30240342
MF Scotland George Colville 503080
MF England Bob Norris 30141342
MF England John Scarr 300030
MF England Harry Stirzaker 27341314
MF Alex Stuart 21010220
MF Fred Thompson 600060
FW England Tom Bradshaw 18530215
FW Scotland John Clarke 13600136
FW Scotland John Clarkin 28630316
FW Scotland Sam Donnelly 14541186
FW England Nicholas Gillett 201030
FW Scotland Jimmy Martin 2310402710
FW Scotland Charlie Mount 950095
FW Peter O'Connor 410041
FW England Jack Parkinson 2712423114
FW England Bob Parkinson 811192
FW England George Winstanley 200020
  • Players used: 21
  • Goals scored: 65 (including 0 own-goals)

Goalscorers

Rank Pos. Player Second Division FA Cup Total
1FWEngland Jack Parkinson12214
2FWScotland Jimmy Martin10010
3 FWScotland John Clarke606
FWScotland John Clarkin606
FWScotland Sam Donnelly516
6 FWEngland Tom Bradshaw505
FWScotland Charlie Mount505
8MFEngland Harry Stirzaker314
9 MFScotland Tommy Bowman202
MFEngland Bob Norris112
FWEngland Bob Parkinson112
12 DFEngland Harry Parr101
FW Peter O'Connor101
DFEngland Bob Birket101
Own Goals000
Total59665

Clean sheets

Rank Pos. Player Second Division FA Cup Total
1GKScotland William Douglas516

Transfers

Transfers out

Date Pos. Nat. Name To Fee
3 October 1896[lower-alpha 1]CFPeter O'ConnorFree agency
14 November 1896[lower-alpha 1]OFScotlandCharlie MountCambuslang
20 January 1897[lower-alpha 1]IRScotlandSam DonnellyAnnbank
23 January 1897[lower-alpha 1]CFEnglandBob ParkinsonWarmley
30 January 1897[lower-alpha 1]CFEnglandNicholas GillettFree agency
27 February 1897[lower-alpha 1]IFEnglandGeorge WinstanleySouth Shore
29 March 1897[lower-alpha 1]RHScotlandGeorge ColvilleHibernian
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Date of the player's last appearance prior to leaving the club as the exact date of the transfer is unknown.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Attendances were approximated by the reporter at the ground.

References

General

Books

  • Calley, Roy (2011). Blackpool: The Complete Record. DB Publishing. ISBN 978-1859839768.

Websites

Specific

  1. Blackpool F.C. 1896–97 Squad at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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