Blackshaw Bill Image 1 Oldham Athletic 1948

Description

Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire born outside right Bill Blackshaw began his football career with Audenshaw United in 1936 and played for Ashton National (now Hyde United) in 1937 before being signed by Second Division Manchester City, making his Football League debut against Sheffield Wednesday at the end of April 1939, playing in City’s final three matches of the season, which proved the last peacetime season before the outbreak of the Second World War that September.

After the War he again played for Audenshaw United in 1945 before joining Third Division (North) club Oldham Athletic in July 1946, and in 1947-48 he scored 17 goals for The Latics, including 4 goals in a 5-1 win at Halifax Town in the last game of the season in May 1948, which took him above Ray Haddington on Oldham’s top League goalscoring list and levelling with him for the season including cup ties.

Described as “popular with Boundary Park fans for his dash and shot, he never shirks a tackle and is ready enough to go after the ball if it is not coming his way”, he joined Crystal Palace in July 1949 after 22 goals in 69 appearances for Oldham, but lost his place in The Eagles’ first team in September 1950 having played the first four matches of the new season. He joined Rochdale in February 1951 after 5 goals in 32 appearances but didn’t manage to make their first eleven, joining Cheshire County League club Stalybridge Celtic in 1952 before his eventual retirement.