Unlucky Defeat!
But let's get on to the football and the famous Blackpool FC. We sit at the bottom of the table. PNE are above us by one point and we have a game in hand on them and two or three games in hand over other teams in league.
Blackpool had just been to mid-table Nottingham Forest with a draw. Although we where relegation fodder, we should of took three points. The West Lancashire Evening Gazette wrote "Should have won by half-time". Nearly 30,000 watched that game later in the week only 17,000+ would turn out for Blackpool vs Sheff Wed.
But first Blackpool manager; Ronnie Stuart had business to conclude. He was looking for a "Wing Forward", Bill Perry was was injured so the manager traveled to Scotland to try and find a replacement. He watched long term target Dave McParland a Partick Thistle player. However he failed to put on a performance and Stuart "was not impressed".
Strangely although on a scouting mission in Scotland, Stuart ended up signing a Wolves player. After spending a five figured sum, Stuart signed Des Horne.
A deadline day signing indeed so much show, that to make the squad for the Sheffield Wednesday, Ronnie Stuart had to pick the player up at Staffordshire,on his way back from Scotland. The deal was concluded in a hotel and then the manager raced back to Blackpool with the South-African on board.
He was the seventh player to join Blackpool to be South-African born. Although in reality he was 4th choice. Blackpool had not been impressed with McParland who was an original target. Celtic rejected a tenacious bid by Blackpool to sign Berty Auld. Then Arsenal offered Joe Harverty but Blackpool decided he wasn't part of there plans.
Horne debuted against Wednesday, although it was fellow South African Peterson who had the Seasiders first real chance to score. He fired a shot goal-bound from 25 yards on the 18th minute. His shot was out of nowhere and even the 'keeper was "unprepared".
Another shot was unleashed by Peterson on the 34th minute. A move started from a Jimmy Armfield free-kick, saw the ball passed round twice before Peterson got the ball and shot at goal. Although Wednesday 'keeper Ron Springett punched the ball away.
Early in the second half Blackpool had a series of successive corners and free-kicks. However swirling winds and a strong defense prevented any real goal threats. But at one point even Sheffield's forwards where back in the box defending the Blackpool attack.
Blackpool's wingers where accused of not been "strong" in the paper whilst Wednesday full back display was commended. It was that reason Des Horne failed to make an impression on his debut but the paper said he was showing "all the signs of first night nerves."
Wednesday's winner came 90 seconds from time. Armfield and Gratrix both went after the same men before felling him. Giving away an inevitable free-kick. The ball was crossed in from Wilkinson, after he took the free-kick. Fantham reached the ball and glided it into the wall of the net.
The game which kicked off at 7:45pm, saw Blackpool defeated 1-0 by Sheffield Wednesday. The game left Blackpool further in the relegation mire and however we would eventually go on to keep our status of Division 1 club. Unlike our West Lancashire neighbours Preston North End who said good bye to the top flight!
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