Royal Armoured Corps X1 v Blackpool Services 1942

[redhel]

Evening all

I like long shots and this is the longest of long shots! A relative of mine played for the Royal Armoured Corps X1 in this match and was given a torrid time trying to mark Stanley Mathews. Thats all I know, so I'm after a date for the game, along with a venue and team line-ups if possible. A programme would be fantastic but realise that is probably a bit optimistic. I appreciate there were loáds of these type of games played during the war but I know you are a knowledgeable lot on here so I won't give up hope just yet.

Thanks
Peter

[BAZZABAGGIES]

Name ? Rank ? Number ?

[redhel]

Hi BAZZABAGGIES

The only thing I can tell you is his name was Brian O'Brien. I know he was a seargent in the tanks but that may have been after this match. I only found out about this match as I was in the library researching some scores from games he played in and there was a small article on him.

Peter

[wandererpaul]

There's nothing listed in the "Datasport Book of Wartime Football". Although 'Blackpool Services' do get a mention in the list of friendlies but nothing versus 'Royal Armoured Corps'.

[redhel]

Thanks wandererpaul for taking the time to check for me. All I can go by is the add I saw in the newspaper I was doing my research from. It could well be that the RAC's or indeed Blackpool select played under a variation of those names, I just don't know. I suppose I'm just asking anyone who has a programme of this nature to have a quick look and see if a B O'Brien was in any line-ups!

Thanks again
Peter

[BAZZABAGGIES]

Would help if we knew what teams he played for

[bisphamseasider]

BAZZABAGGIES wrote:

Would help if we knew what teams he played for

Redhel already said he played for the Royal Armoured Corps X1 in a match against Blackpool Services.

[bisphamseasider]

In addition to the Datasport Book of Wartime Football, I have had a look a relatively new book entitled a Record of British Wartime Football but neither publication mentions this game.

In fact out the 100s of representative matches covered in these publications, I cannot find any reference to games played by a Royal Armoured Corps X1.

Additionally I have a record of some of Blackpool Services matches but this one is not included.

[BAZZABAGGIES]

I had some old relatives that said they did play for football clubs but in those days there was no internet or text books so a lot of them made it up.
My dads brother really did play for Shrewsbury + Hereford in the 1920s.

[redhel]

Thanks Bisphamseasider, really appreciate you looking for me. As BAZZABAGGIES says, perhaps its just a made up story.....although my old fella didn't need to make up stories. If the newspaper cutting says he played in a game like this, I have no doubts to disbelieve! He's no longer with us and what p*sses me off more than anything is that I never spoke to him more about his football days. Its only when it's too late I got round to properly look into who he played for.

Peter