But in March 1968 the big football story was that Coventry City's Highfield Road ground was damaged by fire. Just hours after 8000 fans had gathered on the Highfield Road terraces to witness the Combination League game between Coventry Reserves and Peterborough Reserves. The large crowd, which was double the average Coventry first team attendance, was here to the return of injured club captain George Curtis.

40 Fireman where required to put out the blaze in which the "Second Division trophy was almoast completly destroyed". The Football League soon stressed that the trophy was insured and would be replaced in due course.

On the seaside walk of life, Blackpool boss Stan Mortenson was on the look out for a new forward. The search started with Morty chasing after Frank Wignall a Nottingham Forest player and an England International. He was one of many on Stan's wanted list along with Willie Irvine from Burnley. The out of favour man was  transfer listed, but his season's poor form and the £60,000 Burnley wanted put Stan off. But his striker search continued as he made a scouting trip to Scotland but his signing would come from further down south, as we will discover later.

On the pitch 'pool had important bisuiness to take care of. They were gunning for promotion and should they have beaten Plymouth that Saturday they would have risen up the league to second place in the second division. It would have also kept us on QPR's toes and a point ahead of promotion rivals Portsmouth, who should we have won would have been one point behind us.

Blackpool going into this where the favourites. There was behind the scenes unrest at Home Park. Andy Nelson a senior figure in there squad was up for sale and wanting to move on into the management game. Billy Bingham had just taken over as manager admist the unrest and his magic hadn't kicked in yet as they occupied the bottom spot in the league.

Under 9,000 people stood on the terraces as Blackpool blew a two goal lead. As "strollers become desperate fighters" in fantastic footballing weather. Blackpool made one change for the game. restoring Gery Ingram to the starting 11. The leading scorer had sat out the previous game against QPR injured.

Plymouth "had a much changed look" according to The Green. Duncan Neale and Mike Bickle coming in whilst four positional changes where made.

Despite the changes Plymouth had made, it was still Blackpool who were first out the starting blocks. Craven went on an amazing 40 yard run before Plymouth forced the ball out for a corner ball or "Flag Kick" as The Green's Phillip McEntee used to call them. The result of the "Flag Kick" was a Tony Green shot which went wide.

Blackpool where in charge of this game and another attack in the fith minute saw Craven break down the wing after a long ball forward however the attack was soon broken down.

To say Plymouth hadn't had chances was a tad unfair, there midfield seemed to be able to build them up perfectly but they were let down by poor forwards for the most part. There best chance of the games opening came on the ninth minute. A cross came into the box and soon found Etheridge. He unleashed a right footed drive which beat the defence and 'keeper but went over the bar.

Blackpool got a goal through recalled Gerry Ingram on the 16th minute. Craven pushed a long ball forward up the ring. The ball was subject to a chase. Plymouth Hore went up against Skirton who pushed Hore of the ball before squaring the ball. Unmarked Ingram then fired home from 10 yards out.

A second followed six minutes later with Seasiders legend Glyn James scoring after 'pool forced a corner. The corner was taken by Craven who floated it over to James. Who then steered the ball into the back of the net with his head.

This game took place at a time when Jake "The Snake" Roberts ruled the WWF with his snake Damian. Unfortunatley the Seasiders failed to inject a lethal dose into Plymouth on the 27th minute. 
Blackpool were awarded a free-kick when Tony Green was brought down in the box. Green had been a total torment to plymouth through out and was eventually brought down centre half Saxton. Skirton took the resulting kick but sent the ball just wide of the post despite sending the 'keeper the wrong way.

Blackpool needed the goal to kill off Plymouth but it never came. Plymouth started to fight back, roared on by the Pilgrims fans. The number one hit at the time was "The Legend of Xanadu" a song about losing a duel and returning home.

However Plymouth weren't about to lose the duel, they had a shot from a free-kick after a Blackpool player handled the ball illegally. The kick was blocked by a Blackpool defender. Towards the end of the half Plymouth were having the majority of possesion although Blackpool did have a scoring chance towards the closure of the first half. However Plymouth managed to stop the ball finding the net.

Half-Time  Plymouth 0 Blackpool 2

Blackpool once again found themselves quickest out of the starting blocks. Green set up a cracking shot but both Ingram and Saxton missed the ball despite chasing for it. The ball ran loose and Milne picked it up he looked certain to score but Bribacombe headed it out for a corner.

Blackpool will have complained that they should have had a third goal in this game. But a Glynn James shot, which had found the back of the net, was ruled offside.

A free-kick resulted from the offence and Plymouth smashed it up field. James running up field fell awkwardly as Piper whipped in a smooth cross to team mate Reynolds. Who pushed the ball into the back of the net for 69th minute goal.

James meanwhile was still on the floor in a heap. A stretcher was called for the defender and after a few minutes two ambulance men carried James off the field. James had suffered a shoulder injury which would keep him out for the next two weeks. He was replaced by Allock.

Blackpool were defending desperatley, a game which should have been wrapped up was slipping through there fingers. With three minutes left the Seasiders thought they might just nick it, defending to the death and taking the points home.

But in true typical Blackpool style they where hit by a late counter attack. Argyle realising that this was there last chance of a goal pushed everyone forward with the ball. Piper pushed the ball into the box and Tedesco headed home to earn a draw for  The Pilgrims.

Full time Plymouth 2 Blackpool 2

A few days passed and manager Stan Mortenson unvieled his newest signing. After weeks of searching, he secured Tom White of Crystal Palace. Blackpool paid £20,000 for the striker who upon till signing had scored eight goals in 21 games and caught Morty's eye when the Seasiders played Palace earlier that season.

The deal was arranged between Bert Head and Stan Mortenson over the phone. Before the player travelled to Blackpool South. There he was met by Morty who agreed terms over lunch. White went onto play 34 times for Blackpool scoring nine goals.

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