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 Signed from Date signed Fee GoalkeepersWilliam DouglasGK Dundee 0 0 Derby County 5 September 1896 Full-backs Bob Birket FB Weeton 0 0 Liverpool 28 July 1896 Harry Parr FB Blackpool 0 0 St. John's 5 September 1896 Half-backs Tommy Bowman WH Tarbolton 0 0 Annbank 5 September 1896 George Colville RH Tarbolton 0 0 Annbank 10 June 1896 Bob Norris LH Leeds 0 0 South Shore 30 May 1896 John Scarr LH Blackpool 0 0 16 April 1897 Harry Stirzaker CH Fleetwood 0 0 Fleetwood Rangers 1894 Alex Stuart WH 0 0 South Shore 5 September 1896 Fred Thompson CH 0 0 23 January 1897 Forwards Tom Bradshaw OR Hambleton 0 0 Preston North End 27 November 1896 John Clarke CF 0 0 Bury 27 January 1897 John Clarkin CF Neilston 1872 (aged 23–24) 0 0 Newton Heath 5 September 1896 Sam Donnelly IR Annbank 0 0 Notts County 5 September 1896 Nicholas Gillett CF Lytham St Annes 1874 (aged 21–22) 0 0 15 December 1896 Jimmy Martin IF Parkhead 1875 (aged 20–21) 0 0 Bolton Wanderers 1 November 1895 Charlie Mount OF Cambuslang 0 0 Cambuslang 5 September 1896 Peter O'Connor CF 0 0 12 September 1896 Jack Parkinson CF Blackpool 0 0 South Shore 5 September 1896 Bob Parkinson CF Preston 0 0 Luton Town 26 May 1896 George Winstanley IF Blackpool 1875 (aged 20–21) 0 0 30 January 1897
Competitions Overall record
Football League Second Division
League table
Results In summary
By matchday
In detail
FA Cup
Squad statistics Appearances and goals NameSecond DivisionFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGK30040340DF110011DF29140331MF30240342MF503080MF30141342MF300030MF27341314MF21010220MF600060FW18530215FW13600136FW28630316FW14541186FW201030FW2310402710FW950095FW410041FW2712423114FW811192FW200020 Players used: 21 Goals scored: 65 (including 0 own-goals)
Goalscorers PlayerSecond DivisionFA CupTotal 1 FW Jack Parkinson 12214 2 FW Jimmy Martin 10010 3 FW John Clarke 606 FW John Clarkin 606 FW Sam Donnelly 516 6 FW Tom Bradshaw 505 FW Charlie Mount 505 8 MF Harry Stirzaker 314 9 MF Tommy Bowman 202 MF Bob Norris 112 FW Bob Parkinson 112 12 DF Harry Parr 101 FW Peter O'Connor 101 DF Bob Birket 101 Own Goals 000 Total59665
Clean sheets PlayerSecond DivisionFA CupTotal 1 GK William Douglas 516
Transfers Transfers out Date Pos. Nat. Name To Fee 3 October 1896 CF Peter O'Connor Free agency — 14 November 1896 OF Charlie Mount Cambuslang — 20 January 1897 IR Sam Donnelly Annbank — 23 January 1897 CF Bob Parkinson Warmley — 30 January 1897 CF Nicholas Gillett Free agency — 27 February 1897 IF George Winstanley South Shore — 29 March 1897 RH George Colville Hibernian —
Notes
References General Books
Websites
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