Heading into the game Southampton were 10-1 for the win. Blackpool where the favorites, the team would be of course. After all it boasted household names like Stanley Matthews, Stan Mortenson, George Farm, Bill Perry and the rest! (Mortenson missed the 5th round tie)

Blackpool were the big boys but Southampton thought they could take it. George Roughton told the Evening Gazette in the build up to the game "I'm not pretending that we're favorites".

He added "We can't be that-but in the Cup you've always a chance, must have one, and we've one tomorrow. Everything to win not a lot to lose-that's how we go into the match and it's worth something".

His side traveled to Blackpool by train and they stayed at the Clifton Hotel. Southampton took to the beaches to train whilst Blackpool decided to train in an unusual way. By doing leapfrogs over one another. Below is two images showing either-side before the big game.

Southampton on the beach!

Blackpool training!

There was "a big invasion" from the South as 1,200 Southampton fans made the journey to the Seaside for the game. In those days the local press would publish details of what time opposition fans were to travel. Something I've never seen done in my lifetime but used to be commonplace. Although in the 50's football supporters where more friendly to one another.

Playing Blackpool gave opposition fans the chance to have a holiday. One fan who did just that commented to the Evening Gazette "We've never been to Blackpool before so we intend to make the best of it". He told the paper of his intentions to see the Winter Gardens and Tower before having to depart.

Local businesses would benefit greatly from football back in those days. Especially on big occasions, hotels and café's would be crammed. In fact one café opened early, as Saints fans landed at Central Station. Despite a nine hour journey they took in the "Cup-Tie breakfasts" and the café did "brisk business".

The game would take place on 16th February 1953. A game Blackpool should of won on paper, however they failed to. Instead Southampton got a shock 1-1 draw. Southampton's football was descried as "nearly all the time about as elegant as an elephant stampede". But there style paid off as they "cut off Blackpool's short passes".

Despite Blackpool's strikers getting the ball it just wouldn't stick at there feet Southampton always managed to get the ball and the chances they did get always missed, went wide or where well saved. Until the 62nd minute that is.

Blackpool legend Bill Perry put the Seasiders ahead. "The Southampton ranks opened as wide as the English Channel" and Bill Perry took advantage.

Although this goal seemed to spur on Southampton. They had nothing to lose and they pressed for an equalizer. They won a free-kick and sent the ball over to Henry Horton. Where the saints man Cooley headed home sending Blackpool down to the south coast for an FA Cup replay.

The replay took place just two days later; on a cold, Wednesday night. Blackpool took 500 fans over 260 miles for the replay. 250 fans went on a special train, whilst half a dozen planes carried others and estimates reckon that dozens of private cars also took fans. It was a massive journey, especially for a Wednesday night.

Mysteriously Blackpool FC sold 800 tickets for the stand, 500 Blackpool fans attended. The Evening Gazette speculates that Blackpool officials sold them to Southampton fans!

Southampton were unchanged for the replay, Blackpool had question marks over just one place. Hugh Kelly was tipped to replace Ewan Fenton in the game and later the reports where confirmed. The good news for Blackpool as they headed down south was that Eddie Shimwell had been declared fit to play.

The game was a sell-out as Southampton played there first home cup-tie in nearly five years. Fans queued from 9am and Snow was cleared off the pitch days earlier.

Blackpool lost the toss and then Southampton started well, they had the first chance of the game, Purves shooting wide a second after the referee's whistle blew for off-side. George Farm was called into action soon and "punched away to awkward centres from Hoskins".

The referee waved a penalty away not long after, The Saints faithful gave a massive roar as they felt Crossland had touched the ball with his hands.

It was obvious Southampton where in charge, Dudley had numerous shots. At one point he beat George Farm 1 on 1 but fired over the bar. Then he charged down Farm bashing the ball away from his body, but the Seasiders defense soon cleared.

After been dominated for a large spell in the first half Blackpool got a break. The ball came into Perry who could only fire the ball at the 'keeper. Matthews then went on a Day run through the Saints defense in his famous style. He slipped the ball to Mudie but the Seasider could only run it out of play.

Southampton had the lead though not long after. They had retook control of the game. The initial shot was blocked by a Blackpool player. But the ball returned to Hoskins feet who hit the ball and it curled into the corner of the goal. Beating 'keeper George Farm.

Blackpool where forced to play defensively for the rest of the half. The Seasiders used "grand defensive work" which "had kept down the score".

The second half saw Blackpool come out full pelt. The manager must of gave them a right rollicking because within four minutes they had not only equalized but had took the lead as well!

One minute in Bill Perry broke free down the left before shooting although he failed to find the back of the net. The goal finally come seconds later a goal mouth scramble saw Mudie somehow put the ball across the line. But it was cleared straight away. There was doubt if it crossed the line. The referee had waved play on, but he then retracted after seeing the linesman's flag.

The second goal was less about luck but more about class. The ball was passed between four or five Blackpool players. Before Brown smashed the ball home for Blackpool.

Southampton had chances to get back into the game thanks to Purves but he failed to score on all occasions. Bill Perry may have made it three after breaking free. But the South Africans shot was eventually dealt with by the Saints 'keeper.

The game was treated to some comedy when the referee was knocked out! That's right match day official Mr Flanagan received a nasty blow to the head after been hit by the ball. The referee was taken down after Day smashed the ball forward but the referee was in close range and the drive knocked him out.

The trainers were called on to treat him and after his lie down he returned to refereeing the game which by this point was more or less Blackpool's anyway.

Result Southampton 1 Blackpool 2

The game saw Blackpool advance to the quarter finals and the rest is history. Below is some paper clippings!

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