PFA to honour Frank Swift with plaque in Blackpool

Swift, who worked at the News of the World after finishing his playing career with Manchester City, was one of the eight newspaper reporters killed in the plane tragedy crash on this day in 1958.

Now PFA chief Gordon Taylor has pledged his support for a plan put forward by football historian Mark Metcalf for a plaque in the seaside resort where Swift was born and raised.

It is even hoped Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton will be able to attend to unveiling ceremony.

Metcalf said: “Frank Swift is one of the greatest English goalkeepers of all time. The PFA have given us their full backing and we have also spoken to members of Frank’s family, who live in Blackpool.

“They also think it is right he should have a permanent memorial in the town.

“I am confident that the unveiling of a plaque in Blackpool to honour a local lad will attract – from far and wide – a very healthy crowd, including some big names in the world of football.”

Swift, who began his career at Fleetwood Town before a spell at Blackpool Gas Works, won the First Division, Second Division, FA Cup and Charity Shield during his time at Manchester City.

In 1934, Swift famously fainted in front of the watching King George V before the final whistle of City’s FA Cup final win against Portsmouth at Wembley.

He was a team-mate of Stanley Matthews in the England team that thrashed Scotland 8-0 at Maine Road in 1943.

Although his career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, he went on to earn 19 caps for his country.

He captained his country, the first goalkeeper to do so in the professional era, in England’s 4-0 win against Italy in Turin.

Metcalf has been in touch with Blackpool Civic Trust to discuss where the plaque could be housed and they are due to discuss it at a meeting next week.

It is understood Revoe School, Swift’s former school, and Blackpool Central Library are two locations under consideration.