Mike Davies (footballer)

Michael John Davies (born 19 January 1966) is an English former professional footballer. He spent the entirety of his eleven-year playing career with Blackpool, for whom he became a coach after his retirement from playing in 1995. He was also their joint temporary manager with Mick Hennigan between December 1999 and January 2000.

Mike Davies
Personal information
Full name Michael John Davies[1]
Date of birth (1966-01-19) 19 January 1966[1]
Place of birth Stretford,[1] England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Playing position(s) Right-back
Youth career
Blackpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1995 Blackpool 310 (16)
Teams managed
1999–2000 Blackpool (temporary)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Born in Stretford, Lancashire, and nicknamed Ginge, Davies was a successful product of Blackpool's youth department, and made over 300 appearances for the Seasiders. He made his debut in May 1984 in a home win over Halifax Town.

Initially a right winger, he won a regular place in the team, replacing Ian Britton and forming a partnership with John Deary. Under Sam Ellis' guidance, Davies continued to play on the wide right for the next few seasons, scoring important goals that helped the team to promotion.

On 29 March 1986, Davies, a 27th-minute substitute, scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Rotherham United at Bloomfield Road. The goal was greeted by "roars of acclaim"[3] that were "a fickle contrast to the boos that greeted Davies' arrival off the subs' bench."[3]

During the 1987–88 season, Davies was moved to the full back position, prompted by the arrival of Tony Cunningham, a move he adapted well to – so much so that the Blackpool supporters voted him the club's Player of the Year.

"A fast, tricky player with tremendous commitment, the flame-haired terrier often found himself in trouble with over-zealous referees, who didn't always appreciate his approach," wrote Roy Calley in his 1992 book, Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992. "One feels that if every man to have worn a Blackpool shirt over the years had showed as much commitment to the cause as Mike Davies, then the Seasiders would never have fallen from grace."[4]

Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame

Davies was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006.[5] Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Davies is in the 1980s.[6]

Post-retirement

After he retired from playing, Davies remained on the Fylde coast, becoming a coach with Blackpool.

Honours

Blackpool

  • Division Four play-off winner: 1991–92
  • Lancashire Cup winner: 1993–94, 1994–95
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See also

References
  1. "Mike Davies". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. Gillatt, Peter (30 November 2009). Blackpool FC on This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-905411-50-2.
  4. Calley, Roy: Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992, Breedon Books Sport, 1992. ISBN 1-873626-07-X
  5. Singleton, Steve, ed. (2007). Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC (1 ed.). Blackpool: Blackpool Gazette. pp. 99–101. ISBN 978-1-84547-182-8.
  6. "The Hall Of Fame – 1980's". Blackpool Supporters Association. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2009.

Further reading
  • Calley, Roy (20 October 1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992. Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1-873626-07-X.
  • Singleton, Steve, ed. (2007). Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC (1 ed.). Blackpool: Blackpool Gazette. ISBN 978-1-84547-182-8.
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