Giant Blackpool

Giant Blackpool (often abbreviated as Blackpool) were a South African football club. The club were based in Mohlakeng, a township near Randfontein[1] in Gauteng.[2]

Giant Blackpool
Dissolved1991
GroundMohlakeng, Gauteng

Former players include Fani Madida, John "Shoes" Moshoeu and Geelbooi Masango who together formed what was known as "the Triple-M combination".[3] Moshoeu began his professional career with the club in 1987.[4] Former Orlando Pirates defender Gavin Lane was also once a player at the club.[5]

At one time, the former South African national women's football team Sandile Bali was a head coach of the club,[6] as was former Manchester United player Eddie Lewis.[7]

The club was owned by NSL executive chairman Coloured Passmore.[8]

The club were first promoted to the top tier of South African football in 1986 alongside Leeds United.[9] Their adventures in top flight would come to an end after just the one season as they were relegated.[10]

They were promoted in their first season in the OK League.[11]

Another club, Port Elizabeth Blackpool opted into the National Soccer League structure following their 1990 FPL campaign, they were relegated from the NSL in 1991.[12][13]

In the 1991 edition of the JPS Knockout Cup, both Blackpool clubs were beaten by Dynamos F.C., Dynamos met PE Blackpool in the first round and Giant Blackpool in the final.[13] John "Shoes" Moshoeu, Samuel Sikhakane and Jerry Sikhosana all scored over the duration of the two legged final which took place in August but it was not enough and Dynamos won on aggregate.

A week after Knock out Cup final, it was announced that the club had bought the rights to the Highlands Park name and merged with the newly formed phoenix club,[14] Highlands Park were a successful club during the 1960s–80s era. It was hoped that the new name would bring in more white-skinned fans, as it had done in the past. The club soon changed its name from Giant Blackpool to Highlands Park. However, after a season, the franchise was sold, relocated to Welkom, renamed to Welkom Eagles and relegated in 1993.

In 1995, South African businessman Peter Rabali purchased a franchise licence for a club and renamed it to Rabali Blackpool. It is not considered to be the same club.

Honours
  • JSP Knockout Cup Runner-up: 1991

League history
YearLeaguePositionClub NamePlayedWonDrawsLossesGoals forGoals againstPointsNotes
1987NSL18Giant Blackpool345821355618Relegated[10]
1988 OK League (Promoted)[11]
1989NSL6Giant Blackpool341699503941[15]
1990NSL10Giant Blackpool3413912505536[16]

References
  1. "Hellenic speel gelykop" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 12 March 1990. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  2. "Ricky Phuka dies destitute". Kick off magazine. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. Sadler, Ian (16 July 1999). "Madida keeps on setting trends". iol.co.za. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. atshe, Nkareng (29 April 2012). "There's still life in these shoes". iol.co.za.
  5. Kwenaitte, Thomas (1 December 2000). "Muti or not to be? That is the question". iol.co.za. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  6. "Bali, joker in pack, will be sorely missed". iol.co.za. 28 October 2000.
  7. "Football legend Eddie Lewis passes away". iol.co.za. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. "Many faces of 'The Untouchable'". City press. 25 August 2001. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  9. "South Africa 1986 NSL". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  10. "South Africa 1987 NSL". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  11. "South Africa 1988 NSL". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  12. "Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth". FIFA.com. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  13. "South Africa 1991 NSL". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  14. "Highlands Park are born again -Blackpool adopt name of glamour club of the 60s". Highlands Park FC. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  15. "South Africa 1989 NSL". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  16. "South Africa 1990 NSL". RSSSF. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
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