Blackpool F.C. season 1896-97
Encyclopedia
| Season 1896-97 1896-97 in English football The 1896–97 season was the 26th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Aston Villa became the second team to complete "the Double" of winning the Football League Championship and the FA Cup. No other team would complete the double for 64 years.The Cup Final was played on 10 April... |
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| League | Division Two Football League Second Division From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams... |
| Manager | None |
| League position | 8th |
| Top goalscorer | Jack Parkinson Jack Parkinson (footballer born 1869) John "Jack" Parkinson was an English professional football player. He played as a forward.-Career:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Parkinson, with fifteen goals, he was top scorer for his hometown club in 1896-97, their first-ever season in the Football League; indeed, he played in the club's first... (15) |
| Highest home attendance | 5,000 (v. Newton Heath Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... , Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... and Darwen Darwen F.C. A.F.C. Darwen is a football club from Darwen in Lancashire, North West England. The team, formed in 1870 as Darwen F.C., currently play in the Division One of the North West Counties League. They play their home games at the Anchor Ground.-History:... ) |
| Lowest home attendance | 1,000 (v. Woolwich Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... and Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... ) |
| Previous season | Not available |
| Next season | 1897–98 Blackpool F.C. season 1897-98 The 1897–98 season was Blackpool F.C.s second consecutive season in the Football League. They competed in the sixteen-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing eleventh.... → |
The 1896–97
1896-97 in English football
The 1896–97 season was the 26th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Aston Villa became the second team to complete "the Double" of winning the Football League Championship and the FA Cup. No other team would complete the double for 64 years.The Cup Final was played on 10 April...
season was Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
's first season in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. They competed in the sixteen-team Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, then the second tier of English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
, finishing eighth.
Jack Parkinson
Jack Parkinson (footballer born 1869)
John "Jack" Parkinson was an English professional football player. He played as a forward.-Career:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Parkinson, with fifteen goals, he was top scorer for his hometown club in 1896-97, their first-ever season in the Football League; indeed, he played in the club's first...
was the club's top scorer, with fifteen goals to his name. Tommy Bowman
Tommy Bowman
Thomas "Tommy" Bowman was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half back in the 1902 FA Cup final for Southampton.-Playing career:...
, William Douglas
William Douglas (footballer)
William "Hugh" Douglas was a Scottish football goalkeeper. He was born in Dundee. He played for Ardwick, Newton Heath, Derby County, Blackpool, Warmley and Dundee.-Blackpool:...
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 CityLincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
's Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
. The visitors' starting eleven that day was:
- William DouglasWilliam Douglas (footballer)William "Hugh" Douglas was a Scottish football goalkeeper. He was born in Dundee. He played for Ardwick, Newton Heath, Derby County, Blackpool, Warmley and Dundee.-Blackpool:...
- Henry Parr (captain)
- Tommy BowmanTommy BowmanThomas "Tommy" Bowman was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half back in the 1902 FA Cup final for Southampton.-Playing career:...
- Alex Stuart
- Harry StirzakerHarry StirzakerHenry "Harry" Stirzaker was an English professional footballer. He played as a defender and spent his entire professional career with Blackpool....
- Bob Norris
- John ClarkinJohn ClarkinJohn Clarkin was a Scottish footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Neilston. He played for Neilston, Bootle, Glasgow Thistle, Newton Heath and Blackpool.-Blackpool:...
- Sam Donnelly
- Jack ParkinsonJack Parkinson (footballer born 1869)John "Jack" Parkinson was an English professional football player. He played as a forward.-Career:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Parkinson, with fifteen goals, he was top scorer for his hometown club in 1896-97, their first-ever season in the Football League; indeed, he played in the club's first...
- Bob ParkinsonBob ParkinsonRobert "Bob" Parkinson was an English footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Preston, Lancashire...
- Charlie Mount
Mount scored Blackpool's first League goal, but they slipped to a 3–1 defeat.
A week later, Blackpool travelled to Darwen
Darwen F.C.
A.F.C. Darwen is a football club from Darwen in Lancashire, North West England. The team, formed in 1870 as Darwen F.C., currently play in the Division One of the North West Counties League. They play their home games at the Anchor Ground.-History:...
and chalked up their first victory, 3–2.
On 19 September, Burton Wanderers
Burton Wanderers F.C.
Burton Wanderers were a football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England that spent three seasons in The Football League. In 1901, the club merged with Burton Swifts and formed a new club, Burton United.-History:...
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
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. The match finished 2–2.
Another road trip ensued, on 3 October, to Leicester Fosse
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. The Midlanders took both points with a 2–1 victory.
After a fortnight’s break, Blackpool welcomed North-West neighbours Newton Heath
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
to Raikes Hall. The home side ran out 4–2 winners.
The following week, at Burton Swifts
Burton Swifts F.C.
Burton Swifts were an English football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club ceased to exist in 1901 when they merged with Burton Wanderers to form Burton United.-History:...
, 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
Bob Birkett
Robert Kirkham "Bob" Birket was an English professional footballer who spent his entire ten-year football league career with Blackpool after signing from Fleetwood Rangers....
, 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
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
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
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
.
On 4 January, Woolwich Arsenal made the trip up from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. They returned to the capital with a point after a 1–1 draw.
Twelve days later, Blackpool travelled north-east to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. 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
Loughborough F.C.
Loughborough Athletic and Football Club were an English football club based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, that played in The Football League at the end of the 19th century.-History:...
at the end of the month. The match ended 1–4.
After another break, Blackpool hosted Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
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
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
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
, 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.
Table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GA | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
30 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 92 | 43 | 2.140 | 42 |
| 2 | Newton Heath Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 56 | 34 | 1.647 | 39 |
| 3 | Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
30 | 17 | 4 | 9 | 66 | 45 | 1.467 | 38 |
| 4 | Small Heath Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 69 | 47 | 1.468 | 37 |
| 5 | Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
30 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 56 | 52 | 1.077 | 35 |
| 6 | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 58 | 50 | 1.160 | 32 |
| 7 | Gainsborough Trinity Gainsborough Trinity F.C. Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304... |
30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 50 | 47 | 1.064 | 31 |
| 8 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
30 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 59 | 56 | 1.054 | 31 |
| 9 | Leicester Fosse Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 59 | 56 | 1.054 | 30 |
| 10 | Woolwich Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 68 | 70 | 0.971 | 30 |
| 11 | Darwen Darwen F.C. A.F.C. Darwen is a football club from Darwen in Lancashire, North West England. The team, formed in 1870 as Darwen F.C., currently play in the Division One of the North West Counties League. They play their home games at the Anchor Ground.-History:... |
30 | 14 | 0 | 16 | 67 | 61 | 1.098 | 28 |
| 12 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
30 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 53 | 69 | 0.768 | 26 |
| 13 | Loughborough Loughborough F.C. Loughborough Athletic and Football Club were an English football club based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, that played in The Football League at the end of the 19th century.-History:... |
30 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 50 | 64 | 0.781 | 25 |
| 14 | Burton Swifts Burton Swifts F.C. Burton Swifts were an English football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club ceased to exist in 1901 when they merged with Burton Wanderers to form Burton United.-History:... |
30 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 46 | 61 | 0.754 | 24 |
| 15 | Burton Wanderers Burton Wanderers F.C. Burton Wanderers were a football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England that spent three seasons in The Football League. In 1901, the club merged with Burton Swifts and formed a new club, Burton United.-History:... |
30 | 9 | 2 | 19 | 31 | 67 | 0.463 | 20 |
| 16 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
30 | 5 | 2 | 23 | 27 | 85 | 0.318 | 12 |
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
Appearances
- Tommy BowmanTommy BowmanThomas "Tommy" Bowman was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half back in the 1902 FA Cup final for Southampton.-Playing career:...
– 30 - William DouglasWilliam Douglas (footballer)William "Hugh" Douglas was a Scottish football goalkeeper. He was born in Dundee. He played for Ardwick, Newton Heath, Derby County, Blackpool, Warmley and Dundee.-Blackpool:...
– 30 - Bob Norris – 30
- Henry Parr – 29
- John ClarkinJohn ClarkinJohn Clarkin was a Scottish footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Neilston. He played for Neilston, Bootle, Glasgow Thistle, Newton Heath and Blackpool.-Blackpool:...
– 28 - Jack ParkinsonJack Parkinson (footballer born 1869)John "Jack" Parkinson was an English professional football player. He played as a forward.-Career:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Parkinson, with fifteen goals, he was top scorer for his hometown club in 1896-97, their first-ever season in the Football League; indeed, he played in the club's first...
– 27 - Harry StirzakerHarry StirzakerHenry "Harry" Stirzaker was an English professional footballer. He played as a defender and spent his entire professional career with Blackpool....
– 27 - Jimmy Martin – 23
- Alex Stuart – 21
- Tom BradshawTom Bradshaw (footballer born 1879)Thomas Dickinson "Tom" Bradshaw was an English professional footballer. He played for several Football League clubs, but never spent more than two years at any of them.-Career:...
– 18 - Sam Donnelly – 14
- John ClarkeJohn Clarke (footballer)John Clarke was a Scottish professional footballer. A centre forward, he played in the Football League for Bury, Blackpool and Luton Town.-Career:...
– 13 - Charlie Mount – 9
- Bob ParkinsonBob ParkinsonRobert "Bob" Parkinson was an English footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Preston, Lancashire...
– 8 - Fred Thompson – 6
- George ColvilleGeorge ColvilleGeorge Colville was a Scottish professional footballer. A right half, he played in the Football League for Blackpool and Glossop North End.-References:...
– 5 - Peter Connor – 4
- John Scarr – 3
- Nicholas Gillett – 2
- George Winstanley – 2
- Bob BirkettBob BirkettRobert Kirkham "Bob" Birket was an English professional footballer who spent his entire ten-year football league career with Blackpool after signing from Fleetwood Rangers....
– 1
Players used: 21
Goals
- Jack ParkinsonJack Parkinson (footballer born 1869)John "Jack" Parkinson was an English professional football player. He played as a forward.-Career:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Parkinson, with fifteen goals, he was top scorer for his hometown club in 1896-97, their first-ever season in the Football League; indeed, he played in the club's first...
– 15 - John ClarkinJohn ClarkinJohn Clarkin was a Scottish footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Neilston. He played for Neilston, Bootle, Glasgow Thistle, Newton Heath and Blackpool.-Blackpool:...
– 8 - Jimmy Martin – 7
- Tom BradshawTom Bradshaw (footballer born 1879)Thomas Dickinson "Tom" Bradshaw was an English professional footballer. He played for several Football League clubs, but never spent more than two years at any of them.-Career:...
– 5 - John ClarkeJohn Clarke (footballer)John Clarke was a Scottish professional footballer. A centre forward, he played in the Football League for Bury, Blackpool and Luton Town.-Career:...
– 5 - Charlie Mount – 5
- Harry StirzakerHarry StirzakerHenry "Harry" Stirzaker was an English professional footballer. He played as a defender and spent his entire professional career with Blackpool....
– 4 - Sam Donnelly – 3
- Tommy BowmanTommy BowmanThomas "Tommy" Bowman was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half back in the 1902 FA Cup final for Southampton.-Playing career:...
– 2 - Peter Connor – 2
- Bob BirkettBob BirkettRobert Kirkham "Bob" Birket was an English professional footballer who spent his entire ten-year football league career with Blackpool after signing from Fleetwood Rangers....
– 1 - Bob ParkinsonBob ParkinsonRobert "Bob" Parkinson was an English footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Preston, Lancashire...
– 1 - Henry Parr – 1
Total goals scored: 59
Out
The following players left during the course of the season:{| border="0" width="100%"
|-
|bgcolor="#FFFFFF" valign="top" align="left" width="100%"|
{| border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
|- bgcolor=AAD0FF
!width=20% |Date
!width=25% |Player
!width=30% |To
!width=15% |Fee
|-
|1896||George Colville||Unknown||Unknown
|-
|1896||Peter Connor||Unknown||Unknown
|-
|1896||Sam Donnelly||Unknown||Unknown
|-
|1896||Nicholas Gillett||Unknown||Unknown
|-
|1896||Charlie Mount||Unknown||Unknown
|-
|1896||George Winstanley||Unknown||Unknown
|-
|1897||Bob Parkinson
Bob Parkinson
Robert "Bob" Parkinson was an English footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Preston, Lancashire...
|| Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
||Unknown
|}