Tufnell Sidney Image 1 Blackpool 1930

Description

Sheffield born left half Sidney Tufnell began his football career with Worksop Town in 1926 before he was signed by Second Division Blackpool in the summer of 1927, making his Football League debut at West Bromwich Albion that September. Playing as an inside forward he scored twice in a 6-3 defeat at The Hawthorns, and indeed all four of his career goals came in his first two months when he played 10 matches as a forward before reverting to the half back line in November.

He became a first team regular in 1929, making 31 appearances during the campaign as Blackpool won the Second Division Championship. In 1930 it was said of him: “Nippiness and energy discount lack of inches and he deflects with his head many balls which seem to be well out of his reach. Tenacious in his tackling, Tuffnell is a master at changing defence into attack with judicious passes up the centre or to the wings”.

But his place in the team once Blackpool had reached the top flight was less assured although he managed 27 appearances in 1931-32. But having lost his place in March he only played twice more before the end of the season and made one further appearance for The Seasiders in September 1932 before finishing with professional football, having made in total 96 appearances for Blackpool.