'Memries' BOAC trophy v Blackpool 1965

[Ecco1889]

bit of an odd-ball this one...
after the 64-65season(division 1)had ended,John Harris took the team to New Zealand to play Blackpool in the boac trophy,which had a very bizarre format,in 29 days we played them a staggering 11 times at various venues...the blades ended up winners by winning 6,losing 4 and 1 draw..
We won a trophy(is it on display at the lane?)and£1000 in prize money..
top goal scorers..
Reece 6
Woody 4
Docherty 4
The birch 2
Wondered if any blades fans actually attended any of these games...

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Before my time but I'm sure I've read somewhere that on the eve of the first game players from both sides (none were overly impressed with playing the same opposition over 11 games) while having a sociable drink together decided to take it easy throughout the 'tournament' and ensure it ended even by the end of game 11. Blackpool players in the first match didn't stick with the 'agreement', played it properly, which pissed off our players, gloves off Blades took the trophy and prize money at the end of the 'tournament'. I'm sure Silent can clarify if this was the case.

 

[MoscowBlade]

Re the scorers - Reg Matthewson was credited with 3 goals, Docherty with 3 goals with Barry Wagstaff and Len Allchurch scoring twice.

DATE VENUE RESULT OVERALL SERIES BALANCE
15- 5 Auckland Carlaw Park Blackpool 3-3 Sheffield United
19- 5 Palmerston North Showgrounds Sheffield United 4-2 Blackpool [Sheffield United 1-0]
22- 5 Wellington Athletic Park Sheffield United 3-0 Blackpool [Sheffield United 2-0]

23- 5 Masterton Solway Showgrounds Blackpool 3-0 Sheffield United [Sheffield United 2-1]
26- 5 Nelson Trafalgar Park Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield United [2-2]
29- 5 Christchurch English Park Sheffield United 2-1 Blackpool [Sheffield United 3-2]

2- 6 Invercargill Rugby Park Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield United [3-3]
5- 6 Dunedin Caledonian Ground Sheffield United 3-0 Blackpool [Sheffield United 4-3]
7- 6 Wellington Basin Reserve Sheffield United 2-1 Blackpool [Sheffield United 5-3]

9- 6 Napier McLean Park Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield United [Sheffield United 5-4]
13- 6 Auckland Newmarket Park Sheffield United 2-1 Blackpool [Sheffield United 6-4]

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

Re the scorers - Reg Matthewson was credited with 3 goals, Docherty with 3 goals with Barry Wagstaff and Len Allchurch scoring twice.

DATE VENUE RESULT OVERALL SERIES BALANCE
15- 5 Auckland Carlaw Park Blackpool 3-3 Sheffield United
19- 5 Palmerston North Showgrounds Sheffield United 4-2 Blackpool [Sheffield United 1-0]
22- 5 Wellington Athletic Park Sheffield United 3-0 Blackpool [Sheffield United 2-0]

23- 5 Masterton Solway Showgrounds Blackpool 3-0 Sheffield United [Sheffield United 2-1]
26- 5 Nelson Trafalgar Park Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield United [2-2]
29- 5 Christchurch English Park Sheffield United 2-1 Blackpool [Sheffield United 3-2]

2- 6 Invercargill Rugby Park Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield United [3-3]
5- 6 Dunedin Caledonian Ground Sheffield United 3-0 Blackpool [Sheffield United 4-3]
7- 6 Wellington Basin Reserve Sheffield United 2-1 Blackpool [Sheffield United 5-3]

9- 6 Napier McLean Park Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield United [Sheffield United 5-4]
13- 6 Auckland Newmarket Park Sheffield United 2-1 Blackpool [Sheffield United 6-4]

If Carlsberg did best ever first posts.......

 

[BerksBlade]

Must have been sick of the sight of each other by the end.

 

[Silent Blade]

Before my time but I'm sure I've read somewhere that on the eve of the first game players from both sides (none were overly impressed with playing the same opposition over 11 games) while having a sociable drink together decided to take it easy throughout the 'tournament' and ensure it ended even by the end of game 11. Blackpool players in the first match didn't stick with the 'agreement', played it properly, which pissed off our players, gloves off Blades took the trophy and prize money at the end of the 'tournament'. I'm sure Silent can clarify if this was the case.

Alan Birchenall wrote that in his autobiography "Bring back the Birch". An entertaining read!