Blair Danny Image 6 Clyde 1928

Description

Parkhead, Glasgow born right back Danny Blair began his football career while a student in Ireland playing with junior clubs Rasharkin in 1920 and Cullybackey in 1921. He then went to play in Toronto, Canada, with Davenport Albion in 1922, Toronto Scottish and Willys Overland in 1923 before signing with the Providence Clamdiggers of the nascent American Soccer League in 1924.

Returning to Scotland he joined Parkhead Juniors later in 1924 before signing for Scottish League club Clyde in April 1925, where he spent six seasons winning the first of 8 caps for Scotland over the following four years in a 4-2 win over Wales at Ibrox in October 1928, also representing The Scottish League 3 times in 1927 and 1928, before transferring to First Division Aston Villa for £7,000 on 24th October 1931, for whom he made his Football League debut against Blackpool two weeks later. Blair played 138 League and Cup games for Aston Villa over the next five seasons, becoming club captain, playing 37 matches as Villa finished runners up in the League Championship in 1932-33, also being a member of their team that reached the 1934 FA Cup semi final, where they were heavily beaten by eventual winners Manchester City at Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

After Aston Villa’s relegation season in 1935-36, he signed for Second Division club Blackpool in the summer of 1936, making his debut for The Tangerines in the opening League match of the 1936-37 season in a 2-1 victory at Leicester City. He went on to be an ever-present that campaign as Blackpool won promotion finishing as Second Division runners up, starting in all of the club’s 42 League games and two FA Cup ties. He remained with Blackpool until the outbreak of the Second World War forced the abandonment of League football in September 1939, making 126 appearances for The Seasiders. Throughout his whole career he played in 408 League matches and scored only two goals, both while at Clyde.

NB the photograph was taken on 7th November 1928 ahead of The Scottish League’s match against The Football League at Villa Park. The Football League won the match 2-1.