As Manchester United travel to the seaside on Tuesday night for the first time since 1974, younger fans may regard Blackpool as a newcomer to top flight football but that was not always the case. It was one of England’s leading clubs after the war with legends like Sir Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen striking fear in everyone they faced. Their 1948 FA Cup Final meeting with United was described at the time as “one of the greatest cup finals in history”.  United had reached Wembley via a seemingly impossible route that saw them face first division opposition in every round. After beating  Aston Villa 6-4 in round three they had to face league champions Liverpool who were beaten 3-0. That was followed by a 2-0 victory over Charlton then a 4-2 win against Preston. Centre forward  Stan Pearson scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 semi final defeat of  Derby at Hillsborough before facing Blackpool in the final.

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When we emphasise that Truly Reds is a Manchester United blog for Manchester United fans, it may sound like the bleedin’ obvious but there’s a reason why that basic statement needs to be made on this occasion. Truly Reds has written in the past about the rising costs of watching football and why the game faces a bleak future. It’s a future which every fan should be worried about whether they support United or any other club which is why the following essay from a Liverpool fan is being featured in this Manchester United blog. Just replace any reference made to LFC with a United or any other Premier League club one and these comments become equally applicable.
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When we emphasise that Truly Reds is a Manchester United blog for Manchester United fans, it may sound like the bleedin’ obvious but there’s a reason why that basic statement needs to be made on this occasion. Truly Reds has written in the past about the rising costs of watching football and why the game faces a bleak future. It’s a future which every fan should be worried about whether they support United or any other club which is why the following essay from a Liverpool fan is being featured in this Manchester United blog. Just replace any reference made to LFC with a United or any other Premier League club one and these comments become equally applicable.
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In a sensational book about Wayne Rooneys meteoric rise up the ladder of English football, former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is reported to have played a key role in persuading the Manchester United super striker to leave his agent several months before the then Everton player’s contract had been due to expire and sign with the Proactive agency where Dalglish had 2 million shares which at one stage were worth £860,000.

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In a sensational book about Wayne Rooneys meteoric rise up the ladder of English football, former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is reported to have played a key role in persuading the Manchester United super striker to leave his agent several months before the then Everton player’s contract had been due to expire and sign with the Proactive agency where Dalglish had 2 million shares which at one stage were worth £860,000.

Read the full story