Fred Blackburn

Short Biography

He was not only born in Blackburn but he went on to play for Blackburn. Fred was an artistic ball playing winger and first appeared for the Lancashire club way back in 1897. He then went on to make a total of 240 appearances scoring 30 goals. Whilst with the Rovers he was capped 3 times for England playing against Scotland twice and Ireland. He came South in May 1905 to join West Ham. A switch to wing half saw Fred play in a total of 237 games where he scored 28 goals. In 1911 he gained a well deserved benefit match against Coventry City where the proceeds of the league game were shared jointly with goalkeeper George Kitchen. He retired from playing in 1913 and joined the Navy. Fred later returned to the game as coach at Barking. He died in March 1951 in Ilford aged 72.