Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers 1947
Programme of the Week Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers 30th August 1947
We continue our series where I pick a football programme from my collection that relates to a game being played in the next few days.
This Saturday 22nd April 2017 sees Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers in the Championship at Molineux. There are some famous clashes between these two teams over the years. The 1960 FA Cup final springs to mind, as does the dramatic last day game in 2010 / 2011.
But for our selection, we go back 70 years to the third game of the 1947/48 season in the First Division.
So, what was happening then?
The programme cover is the traditional Wolves cover that features for many seasons right up to the mid 1960’s. But it is the white background, rather than the old gold background which comes in for season 1957-58.
I love the cover image, which looks over the ground from the South Bank. To the right there is still terracing at the front of the Molineux Street Stand. The clock on the stand now adorns the top of the redeveloped South Bank, now called the Sir Jack Haywood Stand.
The programme cost 3d and comprised 12 pages, including the cover. The inside is all printed in black and white on quite poor quality paper. The residual influence of WW2, I guess?
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers 1947-48
Stan Cullis has retired from playing at the end of the previous season, but is not yet the Wolves Manager. The team is still managed by Ted Vizard who led them to a third place finish the previous season. Billy Wright is now team captain and the side includes a formidable forward line.
Last season’s top goal scorer Dennis Westcott leads the line. Later in his career, he plays 63 games for Blackburn Rovers when he sold by the Wolves. Joining Westcott in a front five are Johnny Hancocks; Jesse Pye; Sammy Smyth and Jimmy Mullen.
Blackburn Rovers finished the previous season 17th out of 22. They are managed by Will Scott, but he will lose his job in December 1947 and be replaced by Jack Bruton. The season has not started well. Rovers lost 3-2 at home to Everton on the opening day. Midweek they lose 1-0 at Chelsea and arrive at Molineux without a point.
Wolves, meanwhile, lose by the odd goal in 7 at Manchester City on the opening day, but beat Grimsby town 8-1 at Molineux midweek.
Things do not improve for Rovers. Wolves win 5-1 with a goal from each of the forward line!
At the end of the season, Wolves finish in 5th place, but Blackburn are relegated!
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers 2017
In 2017, things are equally precarious for the Rovers. They come to Molineux, third from bottom, a point behind Nottingham Forest and three behind free falling Birmingham City.
Not that the Wolves have much to crow about. A distinctly average season has Wolves only 10 points ahead of Blackburn and only just safe from relegation themselves!
The 1947-48 match programme is available here for £18.00