GUEST BLOG: What was Blackpool like for an awayday in the 1960s?

BlackpoolJane

BlackpoolJane

Well-known member
The Editor of the Liverpool fanzine 'Red All Over The Land' has written this brilliant piece on his experiences of Blackpool awaydays in the 1960s. I hope you enjoy it.

janestuart.co.uk

Hey Mr Tangerine Man: Guest Blog | Jane Stuart - Writer

What was Blackpool like for an awayday in the 1960s? John Pearman, Editor of Liverpool FC fanzine 'Red All Over The Land' reveals all...
janestuart.co.uk janestuart.co.uk

I'd also love to hear your memories of Blackpool from that era.
 
What is it with some people who think we're positioned next to the North Sea? We're not! In exactly the same way that Hull does not look out into the Irish Sea.
 
BlackpoolJane said:
The Editor of the Liverpool fanzine 'Red All Over The Land' has written this brilliant piece on his experiences of Blackpool awaydays in the 1960s. I hope you enjoy it.

janestuart.co.uk

Hey Mr Tangerine Man: Guest Blog | Jane Stuart - Writer

What was Blackpool like for an awayday in the 1960s? John Pearman, Editor of Liverpool FC fanzine 'Red All Over The Land' reveals all...
janestuart.co.uk janestuart.co.uk

I'd also love to hear your memories of Blackpool from that era.
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Anyone know anything about the seedy joint, part-owned by Johnny Kidd, next to the ground?
 
BlackpoolJane said:
The Editor of the Liverpool fanzine 'Red All Over The Land' has written this brilliant piece on his experiences of Blackpool awaydays in the 1960s. I hope you enjoy it.

janestuart.co.uk

Hey Mr Tangerine Man: Guest Blog | Jane Stuart - Writer

What was Blackpool like for an awayday in the 1960s? John Pearman, Editor of Liverpool FC fanzine 'Red All Over The Land' reveals all...
janestuart.co.uk janestuart.co.uk

I'd also love to hear your memories of Blackpool from that era.
Click to expand...

Loved that Jane.
 
Lots of holidaymakers bought copies of Billy’s Weekly Liar newspaper sold by vendors on the prom. Outrageous stories like “ A Yorkshireman bought a round of drinks” and “ Hitler Spotted In Garstang” enthralled the heaving Massives from Sheffield that invaded the resort in their millions.
 
A good read, and I think there's still something in it. I'd bet that other teams still look for our fixture after their local derby.

Despite all the downsides of poverty and deprivation in the town, people don't see that, just the glitz of the Prom and still turn up in their millions.

The thread on biggest attendances the other day hinted at this in that the big games mentioned all had a large contingent of away fans present. How many was always difficult to judge until the mid 70s because of the lack of segregation where fans of both sides were stood together. As someone who went away in that period, it was a case of looking for familiar faces on the terraces and clumping together. Scary but exciting at the same time.
 
Wizaard said:
A good read, and I think there's still something in it. I'd bet that other teams still look for our fixture after their local derby.

Despite all the downsides of poverty and deprivation in the town, people don't see that, just the glitz of the Prom and still turn up in their millions.

The thread on biggest attendances the other day hinted at this in that the big games mentioned all had a large contingent of away fans present. How many was always difficult to judge until the mid 70s because of the lack of segregation where fans of both sides were stood together. As someone who went away in that period, it was a case of looking for familiar faces on the terraces and clumping together. Scary but exciting at the same time.
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Absolutely Wiz.

We'd have been the favourite game for everyone in the 60's and for many that will still be the case.
 
I'm down memory lane with that one Jane, a great read.
I think a lot of away fans back in the 50's and 60's loved playing Blackpool so that they could make a day of it here, especially the Lancahire clubs which in those days included Liverpool and Manchester.
Few had cars back then and most arrived by train at Central Station if they'd come for the day or South Shore if just for the Match.
I've even heard of some scheduling their summer holidays round it if they played here in the early part of the season!
The 'seedy' nightclub mentioned was the Picador which was behind the No 1 Club on the corner of Back Henry Street.
It was owned by a guy called Frankett and was a popular late night drinking venue staying open until 4am with live bands and strippers on.
I think at some point Johnny Kidd did have part ownership and was on his way there when he was tragically killed in a head on car crash.
I think Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) also played there with the John Evan Blues Band as did many other local bands.
 
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Seasiders enjoyed their trips to their place too, with a win more than likely on the cards. Bally's debut in 62 and more recently the Prem double over them by the mighty Pool. Never up for the title? Second to man u in 56 whilst the mighty reds were floundering in the second division 😄
 
ballysboots said:
Seasiders enjoyed their trips to their place too, with a win more than likely on the cards. Bally's debut in 62 and more recently the Prem double over them by the mighty Pool. Never up for the title? Second to man u in 56 whilst the mighty reds were floundering in the second division 😄
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Bally - We'll have to take your word for that !!!!!!!!!!!!
 
We didn’t have a good away support in them days apart from FA Cup games.
Even trips to Lancashire neighbours was often below a 1000.
Many worked on a Saturday morning too.
By the late 60’s with improvement of transport, away support had risen considerably.
 
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