The 1896âÂÂ97 season was Blackpool F.C.'s debut season in the Football League. They competed in the sixteen-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing eighth.
Jack Parkinson was the club's top scorer, with fifteen goals to his name. Tommy Bowman, William Douglas and Bob Norris were ever-present during the club's 30 league games.
Blackpool's first game in the Football League took place on 5 September 1896, at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank. The visitors' starting eleven that day was: William Douglas, Henry Parr (captain), Tommy Bowman, Alex Stuart, Harry Stirzaker, Bob Norris, John Clarkin, Sam Donnelly, Jack Parkinson, Bob Parkinson and Charlie Mount. Mount scored Blackpool's first League goal, but they slipped to a 3âÂÂ1 defeat.
A week later, Blackpool travelled to Darwen and chalked up their first victory, 3âÂÂ2.
On 19 September, Burton Wanderers were the first visitors to Raikes Hall for a Football League game, and they returned whence they came with a 5âÂÂ0 defeat behind them.
For the final game of September, the Seasiders hosted Manchester City. The match finished 2âÂÂ2.
Another road trip ensued, on 3 October, to Leicester Fosse. The Midlanders took both points with a 2âÂÂ1 victory.
After a fortnight's break, Blackpool welcomed North-West neighbours Newton Heath to Raikes Hall. The home side ran out 4âÂÂ2 winners.
The following week, at Burton Swifts, Blackpool drew 2âÂÂ2.
November began with a trip to Manchester City. The host won 4âÂÂ2.
Lincoln City travelled to the Lancashire coast on 14 November, and Blackpool recorded their first win for a month. Bob Birkett, on his debut and in his only appearance of the season, scored Blackpool's first goal in a 3âÂÂ1 victory.
Two weeks later, Notts County were the visitors, and Blackpool were the victors for the second consecutive game, this time with a 3âÂÂ2 result.
Blackpool didn't play again until a 19 December visit to Woolwich Arsenal. They lost 4âÂÂ2.
On Boxing Day, Blackpool travelled to Newton Heath and lost 2âÂÂ0 in what appears to be, at around 10,000, the largest crowd of the season in a game involving Blackpool.
1897 began with a New Year's Day victory at home to Grimsby Town.
On 4 January, Woolwich Arsenal made the trip up from London. They returned to the capital with a point after a 1âÂÂ1 draw.
Twelve days later, Blackpool travelled north-east to Newcastle United. The Magpies won 4âÂÂ1.
On 23 January, Small Heath were the visitors to Raikes Hall. They won 3âÂÂ1.
A third consecutive defeat occurred at Loughborough at the end of the month. The match ended 1âÂÂ4.
After another break, Blackpool hosted Walsall on 13 February and chalked up their first win in four games with a 3âÂÂ2 result.
Grimsby was the destination the following weekend. The match ended in a 2âÂÂ2 draw.
Blackpool took on Leicester Fosse on 27 February, and ran out 3âÂÂ0 winners.
Into March, and an away game against Small Heath. Blackpool won 3âÂÂ1.
A third consecutive victory followed on 13 March â 4âÂÂ1 at home to Newcastle United.
The Seasiders<nowiki>'</nowiki> good form ended in the following game, a 3âÂÂ1 defeat at Notts County.
On 27 March, Blackpool returned to winning ways when Loughborough travelled to Raikes Hall. The hosts won 4âÂÂ1.
Two days later, Blackpool travelled to Burton Wanderers and lost 3âÂÂ1.
Two more defeats ensued: 2âÂÂ0 at Gainsborough Trinity, and the same scoreline at Walsall.
Seven months after they met in East Lancashire, on 16 April Darwen travelled west to the coast. Jack Parkinson's strike gave Blackpool both points.
A 3âÂÂ0 home victory over Burton Swifts ensued, before the final game of the season saw Gainsborough Trinity visit the seaside for a 1âÂÂ1 draw.
Three players appeared in each of Blackpool's 30 matches: Douglas, Bowman and Norris.
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