The big match - 1 - Blackpool v Spurs

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 21ST MARCH, 1953                           Attendance 68,221

F.A. CUP SEMI FINAL AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

BLACKPOOL 2 (Perry, Mudie) TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 1 (Duquemin)

Farm; Shimwell, Garrett; Fenton, Johnston (capt), Kelly;
Matthews, Taylor, Mudie, Mortenson, Perry;

Ditchburn; Ramsey, Withers; Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess (capt);
Walters, Bennett, Duquemin, Bailey, McClellan;

Many people can remember the 'Matthews Cup Final' of 1953 but how many can remember the semi-final which led up to that famous occasion. As a fifteen year old schoolboy I was there at the Witton end where the decisive goal was scored. I had queued up for some time the previous Sunday morning at Villa Park to get a ticket and presume I was the extra one on the attendance figure quoted above. This is how I reported the match at the time.

There was a big cheer from the many Blackpool supporters when Harry Johnston the captain and Stan Matthews came out to look at the pitch. Scores of balloons had to be burst before play could commence. After Mudie had kicked off, Spurs did all the attacking with Syd McClellan (deputising for Les Medley) prominent with his speedy runs down the left wing. Soon, however, Matthews had the ball and showed how easy it was to beat Withers. After a brilliant move by Mudie, Taylor and Matthews, Blackpool got a corner. Matthews placed it perfectly and Perry racing in, jumped and headed it into the net.

   Bill Perry heads the opening goal for Blackpool. Players from left to right are Bailey,
Mortenson, Nicholson, Clarke, Ramsey, Ditchburn, Perry and Withers.


Both goalkeepers were performing well and although Duquemin was chasing everything and shooting at all times, Harry Johnston was playing a blinder. Spurs missed a wonderful chance when McClellan was put through for a move started by Alf Ramsey. McClellan's shot beat Farm but just rolled the wrong side of the post. Then Eddie Bailey headed against the post from a Duquemin free kick. Spurs captain Ron Burgess was everywhere inspiring his men.

Eddie Bailey was also playing well, but during the second half Les Bennett went on the left wing injured, but later he moved over to the right and centred low. Walters, who also played well, let the ball run on to the 'Duke' who pushed it home to level the scores. It was all Spurs now, they threw everything they got into it. Johnston punched the ball off the line, but a free kick had already been awarded to Blackpool.

Then in the last ten minutes Blackpool came back again, Ramsey dived full length to head Perry's shot off the line but disaster overtook him with only seconds remaining. The England full back tried to pass back but the ball stuck in the mud and Jackie Mudie quickly nipped in to put the ball past Ditchburn, who then lay on the ground beating his head on the floor in anguish. What a pity both sides couldn't get to Wembley, but now Matthews has another chance of that elusive cup winners medal.

The fairy tale ending of course came at Wembley against Bolton Wanderers with Matthews, who else, supplying the pass for the winning goal scored by Bill Perry after Stan Mortenson's hat trick. Final score
Blackpool 4 Bolton Wanderers 3.

Matthews, extreme left, on the floor, lays on the winning goal for Bill Perry, extreme right. Mortenson is in the centre of the picture.