John Crosland

Who was John Crosland?

John Ronald Crosland DSC was an English professional football player. He played as a defender, and could switch from centre-half to full-back.

Born in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, Crosland was signed by Blackpool manager Joe Smith from Ansdell Rovers after being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm in World War II. After being unable to break into the first team due to the form of Ron Suart and Harry Johnston, he made his debut on September 18, 1946, in a defeat at Brentford. He played in the next three games, before sitting out the remaining seven months of the 1946–47 campaign.

He made only two league appearances in the 1947–48, but made his FA Cup debut in the 1948 FA Cup Final against Manchester United deputising for the injured Suart, and marking Reds winger Jimmy Delaney.

Despite this appearances, Crosland did not feature at all during the 1948–49 term, but made sixteen appearances in 1949–50. After veteran centre-half Eric Hayward began to succumb to injuries, Crosland became more of a fixture in Smith's teams. In addition, the England selectors capped him at "B" level in 1950 before he was given regular first-team football during 1952–53.