Ron Blackman, a member of Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1956/57 Third Division South championship-winning squad, died earlier this week, aged 90.

The centre forward joined the Blues from Nottingham Forest in July 1955 and scored 12 goals in 28 games - including a debut goal in a 5-1 win over Reading at his old stomping ground Elm Park - before moving on to non-league Tonbridge in June 1958.

He netted four goals in 12 games as Ramsey’s team picked up the first of their three league titles.

Portsmouth-born Blackman started his career with non-league Gosport Borough before moving on to Reading in 1947 and it was with the Royals he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career.

Blackman scored 158 league goals in 218 games, 39 in the 1951/52 Division Three South campaign, both still Reading club records, before joining Forest in June 1954. A shoulder injury ended his career while with Tonbridge.

Following his retirement he worked as a telephone engineer and lived in Fareham. He died on Tuesday, leaving a wife, Iris, and daughter, Sue.

Photo: Action Images

osborne added 21:17 - Feb 19 I'm just too young to remember him. Awesome record 158 goals in 218 appearances. Wow. Rest in peace Ron. You must have been a joy to watch.
3

Chicago_Blue added 21:48 - Feb 19 RIP.
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PJH added 22:12 - Feb 19 I am not sure if I actually saw him play or not-I was only 7 when he left. RIP
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oldelsworthyfan added 22:47 - Feb 19 Yes he was an excellent Number 9....then along came Ray Crawford! His best days were at Reading. RIP Ron.
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TractorBeezer added 00:37 - Feb 20 RIP Ron and my condolences to your family and friends. I will take a good look through my boyhood footy stuff and am sure that I will find his autograph...probably on a pre season team photo from the Green'un. He was mainly very reliable back-up for Tom Garneys another prolific scorer. Thanks TWTD for helping to maintain the legacy of our past teams and players.
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raycrawfordswig added 01:10 - Feb 20 RIP Ron Just before my time.
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boroughblue added 08:30 - Feb 20 started his carer at gosport borough?! hometown club, didnt know that...
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:19 - Feb 20 never saw him play, Played when men were men and money wasn't the driving force. RIP Ron .
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Bluetone added 11:17 - Feb 20 A blast from the past remember the shout "Give it to Garneys"? RIP Ron.
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sarahjean1 added 12:56 - Feb 20 I remember him ,a legend for me
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AlexanderFields added 21:44 - Feb 20 I remember him well, at Reading, too. Alf Ramsey knew how to pick them.
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Kesgraveblue57 added 11:03 - Feb 21 I was just a lad with my dad I saw Ron Blackman play he was a great header of the ball he was a very good player and a hero of mine as a little boy R.I.P Ron
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