1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season

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.

{{notelist}}

{{Fb rs footer|s={{ENFA|name=Blackpool F.C. 1896–97 Squad}}|date=July 2021}}

{{Fb overview

|c=2

|c1=Second Division |fm1=5 September 1896 |lm1=24 April 1897 |sr1=Matchday 1 |fp1=8th |w1=13 |d1=5 |l1=12 |f1=59 |a1=56

|c2=FA Cup |fm2=15 December 1896 |lm2=20 January 1897 |sr2=Third round qualifying |fp2=Fifth round qualifying |w2=2 |d2=1 |l2=1 |f2=6 |a2=5

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{{main|1896–97 Football League#Second Division}}

{{:1896–97 Football League|transcludesection=Second Division|only_totals=y|showteam=BLP}}

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{{Fb rs footer|date=July 2021}}

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b|header=Matchday

|label1= Ground

| res1= 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

|label2= Result

| res2= 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

|label3= Position

| res3= 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

|text_H=Home|text_A=Away

|color_W=green1|text_W=Win

|color_D=yellow1|text_D=Draw

|color_L=red1|text_L=Loss

|color_1=green1|color_2=yellow1|color_14-=red1

|source=[https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/1897/ 11v11]

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|09|05|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 1

|score = 3–1

|report =

|team1 = Lincoln City

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Sincil Bank

|location = Lincoln

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Lines {{goal}}
Kirton {{goal}}{{goal}}

|goals2 = Mount {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|09|12|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 2

|score = 2–3

|report =

|team1 = Darwen

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Barley Bank

|location = Darwen

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Hunt {{goal}}
McClung {{goal}}

|goals2 = Donnelly {{goal}}{{goal}}
Mount {{goal}}

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|09|19|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 3

|score = 5–0

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Burton Wanderers

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Clarkin {{goal}}
Stirzaker {{goal}}
O'Connor {{goal}}
Mount {{goal}}
Donnelly {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|09|26|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 4

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Manchester City

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = D

|goals1 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}
Bowman {{goal}}

|goals2 = Hill {{goal}}
Mann {{goal}}

|attendance = 4,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|10|03|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 5

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team1 = Leicester Fosse

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Filbert Street

|location = Leicester

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Dorrell {{goal}}
Carnelly {{goal}}

|goals2 = Donnelly {{goal}}

|attendance = 6,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|10|17|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 6

|score = 4–2

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Newton Heath

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}{{goal}}
Mount {{goal}}
Martin {{goal}}

|goals2 = Bryant {{goal}}
Draycott {{goal}}

|attendance = 5,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|10|24|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 7

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team1 = Burton Swifts

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Peel Croft

|location = Burton-on-Trent

|referee =

|result = D

|goals1 = Rae {{goal}}
Heald {{goal}}

|goals2 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}
Martin {{goal}}

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|11|07|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 8

|score = 4–2

|report =

|team1 = Manchester City

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Hyde Road

|location = Manchester

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Sharples {{goal}}
Meredith {{goal}}
Lewis {{goal}}
Bannister {{goal}}

|goals2 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}
Martin {{goal}}

|attendance = 6,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|11|14|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 9

|score = 3–1

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Lincoln City

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Birket {{goal}}
Clarkin {{goal}}
Mount {{goal}}

|goals2 = Gillespie {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,500

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|11|28|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 10

|score = 3–2

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Notts County

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Martin {{goal}}{{goal}}
Stirzaker {{goal}}

|goals2 = Bull {{goal}}
Boucher {{goal}}

|attendance = 2,500

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|12|19|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 11

|score = 4–2

|report =

|team1 = Woolwich Arsenal

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Manor Ground

|location = Plumstead

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Haywood {{goal}}{{goal}}
Crawford {{goal}}{{goal}}

|goals2 = B. Parkinson {{goal}}
Donnelly {{goal}}

|attendance = 6,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|12|26|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 12

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team1 = Newton Heath

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Bank Street

|location = Manchester

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Cassidy {{goal}}{{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 8,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|01|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 13

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Grimsby Town

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Norris {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 5,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|04|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 14

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Woolwich Arsenal

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = D

|goals1 = Martin {{goal}}

|goals2 = Brock {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|16|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 15

|score = 4–1

|report =

|team1 = Newcastle United

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = St James' Park

|location = Newcastle-upon-Tyne

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Wardrope {{goal}}
Auld {{goal}}
Collins {{goal}}
Smellie {{goal}}

|goals2 = Bowman {{goal}}

|attendance = 6,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|23|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 16

|score = 1–3

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Small Heath

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Bradshaw {{goal}}

|goals2 = Hare {{goal}}
Inglis {{goal}}{{goal}}

|attendance = 2,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|30|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 17

|score = 4–1

|report =

|team1 = Loughborough

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Athletic Ground

|location = Loughborough

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Jones {{goal}}{{goal}}{{goal}}
Roulston {{goal}}

|goals2 = Stirzaker {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,200

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|02|13|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 18

|score = 3–2

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Walsall

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Clarke {{goal}}
J. Parkinson {{goal}}
Parr {{goal}}

|goals2 = Davies {{goal}}
Griffin {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|02|20|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 19

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team1 = Grimsby Town

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Abbey Park

|location = Grimsby

|referee =

|result = D

|goals1 = Fletcher {{goal}}
Bell {{goal}}

|goals2 = Martin {{goal}}
Clarke {{goal}}

|attendance = 6,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|02|27|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 20

|score = 3–0

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Leicester Fosse

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Bradshaw {{goal}}
Clarke {{goal}}
J. Parkinson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 1,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|03|06|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 21

|score = 1–3

|report =

|team1 = Small Heath

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Muntz Street

|location = Birmingham

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Hodgetts {{goal}}

|goals2 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}
Martin {{goal}}
Clarke {{goal}}

|attendance = 6,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|03|13|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 22

|score = 4–1

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Newcastle United

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Clarkin {{goal}}{{goal}}
Bradshaw {{goal}}
J. Parkinson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|03|20|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 23

|score = 3–1

|report =

|team1 = Notts County

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Trent Bridge

|location = Nottingham

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Murphy {{goal}}
Boucher {{goal}}
Langham {{goal}}

|goals2 = Bradshaw {{goal}}

|attendance = 7,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|03|27|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 24

|score = 4–1

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Loughborough

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Clarkin {{goal}}
Clarke {{goal}}{{goal}}
Bradshaw {{goal}}

|goals2 = Roulston {{goal}}

|attendance = 2,500

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|03|29|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 25

|score = 3–1

|report =

|team1 = Burton Wanderers

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Derby Turn

|location = Burton-on-Trent

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = King {{goal}}
Arkesden {{goal}}
Handley {{goal}}

|goals2 = Martin {{goal}}

|attendance =

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|04|03|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 26

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team1 = Gainsborough Trinity

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = The Northolme

|location = Gainsborough

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Brown {{goal}}
Webster {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 2,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|04|10|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 27

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team1 = Walsall

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Hilary Street

|location = Walsall

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = Johnson {{goal}}
Griffin {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|04|16|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 28

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Darwen

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 5,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|04|19|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 29

|score = 3–0

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Burton Swifts

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = W

|goals1 = Martin {{goal}}
J. Parkinson {{goal}}{{goal}}

|goals2 =

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|04|24|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 30

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Gainsborough Trinity

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = D

|goals1 = Clarkin {{goal}}

|goals2 = Unknown goalscorer {{goal}}

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{main|1896–97 FA Cup}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1896|12|15|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Third round qualifying

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team1 = Darwen

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Barley Bank

|location = Darwen

|referee = J. Lewis

|result = W

|goals1 = Kinsella {{goal|11}}

|goals2 = B. Parkinson {{goal|20}}
Donnelly {{goal|47}}

|attendance = 2,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|02|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Fourth round qualifying

|score = 0–1

|report =

|team1 = Chorley

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Dole Lane

|location = Chorley

|referee = R.E. Lythgoe

|result = W

|goals1 =

|goals2 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}

|attendance = 4,000

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|15|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Fifth round qualifying

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team1 = Newton Heath

|team2 = Blackpool

|stadium = Bank Street

|location = Manchester

|referee =

|result = D

|goals1 = Donaldson {{goal}}
Gillespie {{goal}}

|goals2 = Stirzaker {{goal}}
Norris {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,500

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1897|01|20|df=y}}

|time =

|round = Fifth round qualifying replay

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team1 = Blackpool

|team2 = Newton Heath

|stadium = Raikes Hall

|location = Blackpool

|referee =

|result = L

|goals1 = J. Parkinson {{goal}}

|goals2 = Cassidy {{goal}}
Bryant {{goal}}

|attendance = 1,500

}}

• Players used: 21
• Goals scored: 65 (including 0 own-goals)

|-

| DF || align="left"| {{flagicon|ENG}} Bob Birket ||1||0||1

|- class="sortbottom"

|colspan="3"| Own Goals ||0||0||0

|- class="sortbottom"

|colspan="3"| Total||59||6||65

|}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist-lr}}

Books

• {{cite book | first=Roy | last=Calley| title=Blackpool: The Complete Record | publisher=DB Publishing | year=2011 | isbn=978-1859839768}}

Websites

• {{ENFA|name=Blackpool F.C. 1896–97 season}}
• {{cite web |title=All Blackpool players: 1896–97 |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackpool/tab/players/season/1897/ |website=11v11.com}}
• {{cite web |title=Blackpool match record: 1896–97 |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackpool/tab/matches/season/1897/ |website=11v11.com}}

{{reflist}}

{{Blackpool F.C. seasons}}

{{1896–97 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1896-97 Blackpool F.C. season}}

Blackpool

Category:Blackpool F.C. seasons