1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season

English football club season July 2021July 2021 December 2014 December 2014 Blackpool F.C. 1896–97 Second Division None 8th Jack Parkinson (12) Jack Parkinson (14) FA Cup Fifth round qualifying 5,000 vs Newton Heath, 17 October 1896, Second Division5,000 vs Grimsby Town, 1 January 1897, Second Division5,000 vs Darwen, 16 April 1897, Second Division"approximated" Attendances were approximated by the reporter at the ground. 1,000 v. Woolwich Arsenal, 4 January 1897, Second Division1,000 vs Walsall, 13 February 1897, Second Division"approximated" 2,833"approximated" _blue_stripes4 _bluestripes4 _blue_stripes4 000066 000066 1897–98 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 Appearances made for Blackpool in all competitions prior to the 1896–97 season. Goals Goals scored for Blackpool in all competitions prior to the 1896–97 season. Signed from Date signed Fee GoalkeepersWilliam DouglasGKSCO Dundee 0 0 ENG Derby County 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Date of the player's first appearance for the club as the date of signing is unknown. Full-backs Bob Birket FB ENG Weeton 1896 06 01 1874 11 17 y 0 0 ENG Liverpool 28 July 1896 Harry Parr FB ENG Blackpool 1896 06 01 1868 04 18 y 0 0 ENG St. John's 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Half-backs Tommy Bowman WH SCO Tarbolton 1896 06 01 1873 10 26 y 0 0 SCO Annbank 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown George Colville RH SCO Tarbolton 1896 06 01 1876 03 18 y 0 0 SCO Annbank 10 June 1896 Bob Norris LH ENG Leeds 1896 06 01 1875 03 12 y 0 0 ENG South Shore 30 May 1896 John Scarr LH ENG Blackpool 1896 06 01 1874 10 05 y 0 0 16 April 1897DateOfSigningUnknown Harry Stirzaker CH ENG Fleetwood 1896 06 01 1869 02 07 y 0 0 ENG Fleetwood Rangers 1894 Alex Stuart WH 0 0 ENG South Shore 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Fred Thompson CH 0 0 23 January 1897DateOfSigningUnknown Forwards Tom Bradshaw OR ENG Hambleton 1896 06 01 1876 03 15 y 0 0 ENG Preston North End 27 November 1896 John Clarke CF SCO 0 0 ENG Bury 27 January 1897 John Clarkin CF SCO Neilston 1872 (aged 23–24) 0 0 ENG Newton Heath 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Sam Donnelly IR SCO Annbank 1896 06 01 1874 01 01 y 0 0 ENG Notts County 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Nicholas Gillett CF ENG Lytham St Annes 1874 (aged 21–22) 0 0 15 December 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Jimmy Martin IF SCO Parkhead 1875 (aged 20–21) 0 0 ENG Bolton Wanderers 1 November 1895 Charlie Mount OF SCO Cambuslang 1896 06 01 1873 03 27 y 0 0 SCO Cambuslang 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Peter O'Connor CF 0 0 12 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Jack Parkinson CF ENG Blackpool 1896 06 01 1874 08 27 y 0 0 ENG South Shore 5 September 1896DateOfSigningUnknown Bob Parkinson CF ENG Preston 1896 06 01 1873 03 27 y 0 0 ENG Luton Town 26 May 1896 George Winstanley IF ENG Blackpool 1875 (aged 20–21) 0 0 30 January 1897DateOfSigningUnknown Blackpool F.C. 1896–97 Squad July 2021 Competitions Overall record 2 Second Division 5 September 1896 24 April 1897 Matchday 1 8th 13 5 12 59 56 FA Cup 15 December 1896 20 January 1897 Third round qualifying Fifth round qualifying 2 1 1 6 5 Football League Second Division 1896–97 Football League#Second Division League table Second Division y BLP Results In summary 11 3 1 39 16 2 2 11 20 40 July 2021 By matchday table b Matchday Ground A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/A/H/H/H Result L/W/W/D/L/W/D/L/W/W/L/L/W/D/L/L/L/W/D/W/W/W/L/W/L/L/L/W/W/D Position 12/13/6/6/9/8/10/11/9/8/10/13/11/11/12/13/13/12/11/11/10/9/10/10/10/10/10/10/8/8 Home Away green1 Win yellow1 Draw red1 Loss green1 yellow1 red1 11v11 In detail 1896 09 05 y 1 3–1 Lincoln City Blackpool Sincil Bank Lincoln L Lines Kirton Mount 1,000 1896 09 12 y 2 2–3 Darwen Blackpool Barley Bank Darwen W Hunt McClung Donnelly Mount 3,000 1896 09 19 y 3 5–0 Blackpool Burton Wanderers Raikes Hall Blackpool W Clarkin Stirzaker O'Connor Mount Donnelly 3,000 1896 09 26 y 4 2–2 Blackpool Manchester City Raikes Hall Blackpool D J. Parkinson Bowman Hill Mann 4,000 1896 10 03 y 5 2–1 Leicester Fosse Blackpool Filbert Street Leicester L Dorrell Carnelly Donnelly 6,000 1896 10 17 y 6 4–2 Blackpool Newton Heath Raikes Hall Blackpool W J. Parkinson Mount Martin Bryant Draycott 5,000 1896 10 24 y 7 2–2 Burton Swifts Blackpool Peel Croft Burton-on-Trent D Rae Heald J. Parkinson Martin 3,000 1896 11 07 y 8 4–2 Manchester City Blackpool Hyde Road Manchester L Sharples Meredith Lewis Bannister J. Parkinson Martin 6,000 1896 11 14 y 9 3–1 Blackpool Lincoln City Raikes Hall Blackpool W Birket Clarkin Mount Gillespie 1,500 1896 11 28 y 10 3–2 Blackpool Notts County Raikes Hall Blackpool W Martin Stirzaker Bull Boucher 2,500 1896 12 19 y 11 4–2 Woolwich Arsenal Blackpool Manor Ground Plumstead L Haywood Crawford B. Parkinson Donnelly 6,000 1896 12 26 y 12 2–0 Newton Heath Blackpool Bank Street Manchester L Cassidy 8,000 1897 01 01 y 13 1–0 Blackpool Grimsby Town Raikes Hall Blackpool W Norris 5,000 1897 01 04 y 14 1–1 Blackpool Woolwich Arsenal Raikes Hall Blackpool D Martin Brock 1,000 1897 01 16 y 15 4–1 Newcastle United Blackpool St James' Park Newcastle-upon-Tyne L Wardrope Auld Collins Smellie Bowman 6,000 1897 01 23 y 16 1–3 Blackpool Small Heath Raikes Hall Blackpool L Bradshaw Hare Inglis 2,000 1897 01 30 y 17 4–1 Loughborough Blackpool Athletic Ground Loughborough L Jones Roulston Stirzaker 1,200 1897 02 13 y 18 3–2 Blackpool Walsall Raikes Hall Blackpool W Clarke J. Parkinson Parr Davies Griffin 1,000 1897 02 20 y 19 2–2 Grimsby Town Blackpool Abbey Park Grimsby D Fletcher Bell Martin Clarke 6,000 1897 02 27 y 20 3–0 Blackpool Leicester Fosse Raikes Hall Blackpool W Bradshaw Clarke J. Parkinson 1,000 1897 03 06 y 21 1–3 Small Heath Blackpool Muntz Street Birmingham W Hodgetts J. Parkinson Martin Clarke 6,000 1897 03 13 y 22 4–1 Blackpool Newcastle United Raikes Hall Blackpool W Clarkin Bradshaw J. Parkinson 3,000 1897 03 20 y 23 3–1 Notts County Blackpool Trent Bridge Nottingham L Murphy Boucher Langham Bradshaw 7,000 1897 03 27 y 24 4–1 Blackpool Loughborough Raikes Hall Blackpool W Clarkin Clarke Bradshaw Roulston 2,500 1897 03 29 y 25 3–1 Burton Wanderers Blackpool Derby Turn Burton-on-Trent L King Arkesden Handley Martin 1897 04 03 y 26 2–0 Gainsborough Trinity Blackpool The Northolme Gainsborough L Brown Webster 2,000 1897 04 10 y 27 2–0 Walsall Blackpool Hilary Street Walsall L Johnson Griffin 3,000 1897 04 16 y 28 1–0 Blackpool Darwen Raikes Hall Blackpool W J. Parkinson 5,000 1897 04 19 y 29 3–0 Blackpool Burton Swifts Raikes Hall Blackpool W Martin J. Parkinson 3,000 1897 04 24 y 30 1–1 Blackpool Gainsborough Trinity Raikes Hall Blackpool D Clarkin Unknown goalscorer 3,000 FA Cup 1896–97 FA Cup 1896 12 15 y Third round qualifying 1–2 Darwen Blackpool Barley Bank Darwen J. Lewis W Kinsella 11 B. Parkinson 20Donnelly 47 2,000 1897 01 02 y Fourth round qualifying 0–1 Chorley Blackpool Dole Lane Chorley R.E. Lythgoe W J. Parkinson 4,000 1897 01 15 y Fifth round qualifying 2–2 Newton Heath Blackpool Bank Street Manchester D Donaldson Gillespie Stirzaker Norris 1,500 1897 01 20 y Fifth round qualifying replay 1–2 Blackpool Newton Heath Raikes Hall Blackpool L J. Parkinson Cassidy Bryant 1,500 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Pos. PositionNat. NationalityNameSecond DivisionFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKSCOWilliam Douglas William Douglas (footballer, fl. 1890s)30040340DFENGBob Birket110011DFENGHarry Parr footballer, born 186829140331MFSCOTommy Bowman30240342MFSCOGeorge Colville503080MFENGBob Norris Bob Norris (footballer)30141342MFENGJohn Scarr 1300030MFENGHarry Stirzaker27341314MFAlex Stuart 121010220MFFred Thompson 1600060FWENGTom Bradshaw Tom Bradshaw (footballer, born 1879)18530215FWSCOJohn Clarke John Clarke (Scottish footballer)13600136FWSCOJohn Clarkin28630316FWSCOSam Donnelly14541186FWENGNicholas Gillett 1201030FWSCOJimmy Martin 12310402710FWSCOCharlie Mount 1950095FWPeter O'Connor 1410041FWENGJack Parkinson Jack Parkinson (footballer, born 1869)2712423114FWENGBob Parkinson footballer811192FWENGGeorge Winstanley 1200020 Players used: 21 Goals scored: 65 (including 0 own-goals) Goalscorers Rank RankingPos. PositionPlayerSecond DivisionFA CupTotal 1 FW ENG Jack Parkinson 12214 2 FW SCO Jimmy Martin 10010 3 FW SCO John Clarke 606 FW SCO John Clarkin 606 FW SCO Sam Donnelly 516 6 FW ENG Tom Bradshaw 505 FW SCO Charlie Mount 505 8 MF ENG Harry Stirzaker 314 9 MF SCO Tommy Bowman 202 MF ENG Bob Norris 112 FW ENG Bob Parkinson 112 12 DF ENG Harry Parr 101 FW Peter O'Connor 101 DF ENG Bob Birket 101 Own Goals 000 Total59665 Clean sheets Rank RankingPos. PositionPlayerSecond DivisionFA CupTotal 1 GK SCO William Douglas 516 Transfers Transfers out Date Pos. Nat. Name To Fee 3 October 1896DateOfDepartureUnknown Date of the player's last appearance prior to leaving the club as the exact date of the transfer is unknown. CF Peter O'Connor Free agency — 14 November 1896DateOfDepartureUnknown OF SCO Charlie Mount Cambuslang — 20 January 1897DateOfDepartureUnknown IR SCO Sam Donnelly Annbank — 23 January 1897DateOfDepartureUnknown CF ENG Bob Parkinson Warmley — 30 January 1897DateOfDepartureUnknown CF ENG Nicholas Gillett Free agency — 27 February 1897DateOfDepartureUnknown IF ENG George Winstanley South Shore — 29 March 1897DateOfDepartureUnknown RH SCO George Colville Hibernian — Notes References General Books Roy Calley Blackpool: The Complete Record DB Publishing 2011 978-1859839768 Websites Blackpool F.C. 1896–97 season All Blackpool players: 1896–97 https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackpool/tab/players/season/1897/ 11v11.com Blackpool match record: 1896–97 https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackpool/tab/matches/season/1897/ 11v11.com Specific Blackpool Category:Blackpool F.C. seasons