Name Cecil Blakemore | Years Team | |
Date of birth (1897-12-08)8 December 1897 Date of death September 1963 (aged 65) Died 1963, Stourbridge, United Kingdom | ||
Cecil Blakemore (8 December 1897 – September 1963) sometimes known as Cyril Blakemore, was an English professional football inside forward who played in the Football League, most notably for Crystal Palace, Brentford and Norwich City. He also played for Bristol City and Swindon Town.
Contents
- Early years
- Crystal Palace
- Bristol City
- Brentford
- Norwich City
- Swindon Town
- Brierley Hill Alliance
- References
Early years
An inside forward, Blakemore began his career in non-league football in his native West Midlands, playing for hometown club Redditch (two spells), Stourbridge and Fairfield Villa.
Crystal Palace
Blakemore got his chance at league football when he signed for Division Two club Crystal Palace in December 1922. He had a slow start to life at Selhurst Park, making just 24 appearances during the 1922–23 and 1923–24 seasons, but managing five goals in his 12 appearances during 1923–24. Blakemore broke into the team during the 1924–25 season, making 24 appearances and scoring 12 goals in a disastrous season which saw the Eagles relegated to the Division Three South. He was a near ever-present for two seasons in the Division Three South, scoring 36 goals as Palace pushed for promotion back to Division Two. Blakemore departed Palace in May 1927, having made 141 appearances and scored 56 goals during five years with the club.
Bristol City
Blakemore moved back up to Division Two to sign for Bristol City in May 1927. He failed to hold down a regular place in the team, but still managed 20 goals in 42 appearances before departing Ashton Gate in May 1929.
Brentford
Blakemore and Bristol City teammate Jackie Foster signed for Division Three South side Brentford on 2 May 1929. He quickly established himself in the team, scoring 15 goals in 43 appearances during the 1929–30 season, a campaign in which the Bees set a record of 21 home wins. Blakemore made another 40 appearances the following year, scoring 13 goals, before leaving Brentford in May 1931. Blakemore scored 28 goals in 83 games during two seasons at Griffin Park.
Norwich City
Blakemore moved to Division Three South club Norwich City in May 1931. He made 70 appearances over the course of two seasons, as the Canaries pushed for promotion to Division Two.
Swindon Town
At age 35, Blakemore was brought in by manager Ted Vizard to replace Division Three South side Swindon Town's record goalscorer Harry Morris in 1933. He scored eight goals in 27 appearances before being released at the end of the 1933–34 season.
Brierley Hill Alliance
Blakemore saw out his career with a spell at Birmingham & District League side Brierley Hill Alliance.