Blackpool's FA Cup tie will bring back 43-year-old memories for twin fans

Along with all other football fans during lockdown, they won’t be able to attend, but the brothers will be casting their mind back 43 years to when they travelled as children to the last time the clubs met in the competition – and eagerly hoping for a different result.

David and Andrew, then aged eight, were among the hundreds of Seasiders fans who headed for the Midlands in January 1978 for the third round tie at The Hawthorns, which pitted then Second Division Pool against top flight Albion, featuring in midfield a pre-Manchester United Bryan Robson.

It ended 4-1 to West Brom, who went on to reach the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Ipswich Town - but despite the result, David and Andrew say they’ll always remember the day.

Along with their dad Ian, now 80, the boys made the journey on a soccer special train from Blackpool, clad in tangerine and white hats which they still proudly have, along with a copy of the photograph of the taken by The Gazette on the station platform as we covered the departure for the big game.

“It was a big occasion,” said David, now 51. “We were thrilled to be among loads of Pool fans travelling to the game and hoping for a good result.

“It didn’t turn out that way - West Brom were a very strong team but I’ll never forget the packed crowd and the atmosphere, which I recall more clearly than the game itself.

“It instantly came to mind when I heard the draw and we really hope Blackpool get the right result this weekend.”

Extra spice is added to this season’s tie by the fact that Premier League West Brom are now managed by ex-Pool boss Sam Allardyce, who was in charge at Bloomfield Road from 1994 to 1996.

The 1977-78 campaign marked 25 years since the Seasiders’ only FA Cup triumph so far, beating Bolton 4-3 in the 1953 final – but further misery was to follow the defeat at West Brom in what, for them, was the cup’s first hurdle.

Managed by Allan Brown at the time of the tie, Pool went on to be relegated from the Second Division that season - the first time they had been out of the top two divisions in their history.

Soccer special train trips to big matches were popular for the time from the late 1960s into the following decade.

Football historian and local author Rob Frowen said: "The first ones I can recall were run by the Blackpool Supporters Club during the 1967-8 season - the first to Sheffield for a fourth round cup tie against United which Pool lost 2-1, the other to Huddersfield for the final league match of the season which was a vital promotion decider.

"Light refreshments were available to fans on the train in those times – and this also included an alcoholic bar.

"In early 1971 Blackpool reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and a train trip to Hull City was organised for Pool’s fans. The South Shore Cricket Club had, by this time, become involved in the travel-by train-action and organised a train of their own.

"In January 1973, two train loads of fans were taken to Bradford for a cup tie Pool lost 2-1 and the day was marred by a number of skirmishes between rival fans.

"Hooliganism at football grounds had become very prevalent and many Pool fans were chased back to the railway station after the match.

"Following that, there were far fewer further organised train specials to Blackpool football matches but, while they lasted, they proved to be highly popular,"

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