‘The ‘Original Champagne Perry’ was as cool as ice as the finest vintage in the coldest of buckets’ remarked Stanley Matthews in his autobiography on recalling the most famous moment in Tangerine history; FA Cup winner and Blackpool mainstay, Bill Perry today died after losing his battle against cancer.
The 77 year old – along with his great friend Cyril Robinson – was the only remaining FA Cup victor from 1953, and is down in Blackpool folk law for that goal in the 4-3 thriller against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley all those years ago.
Manager Simon Grayson today said ‘it is a devastating blow for everybody and obviously our condolences go out to his family.’
Only a few weeks ago Perry was at the anniversary of Blackpool Football Club, and Larry went onto say that the ‘news has come as a major shock’.
Born in Johannesburg in 1930, Perry moved to the seaside in 1949, and played over 390 games for The Seasiders, scoring 119 goals.
Sir Stanley again showed his respect for Perry in his book as he described a passage of play from the Southampton v Blackpool 5th Round replay in 1953: ‘with a typical burst of speed, he panicked the Southampton defence and from his cut back the home defender sliced into his own goal’ and he later described Perry as ‘magnificent’. It was obvious Perry was very well liked at Bloomfield Road. Remembered by ‘Pool players of that era as ‘fast and just the right type for us’, no-one can doubt his skills and prowess he brought to that famous side, that many fail to see.
Gone, but definitely not forgotten; the flying winger was a true legend and will stay in Seasiders’ hearts for a long time to come.
‘It’s there….Perry’
From us all, Rest In Peace Bill.
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Very Sad news. My Dad had the pleasure of being at the 53 final.
RIP Bill Perry