RIP Ronnie Blackman

[TBM]

We sadly report that our record Football League goalscorer Ronnie Blackman passed away yesterday at the age of 90.


Remembering our record-setting centre-forward
Everyone at Reading Football Club was saddened to hear that our all-time leading goalscorer Ronnie Blackman passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90.

As well as holding the club record of 158 goals in the Football League, his 39 goals in the 1951/52 Division Three (South) campaign also remains a Reading record for most netted in a single league season.

The Cosham-born forward will be remembered with great affection by everyone who knew him at Reading – not just because of his exploits on the pitch in Reading colours, but also for being the perfect gentleman off the pitch as well.

Blackman left Gosport Borough to join a Reading team managed by Ted Drake in February 1947 as a part-time player; initially a regular in the reserves, his first-team debut came in a 0-0 draw at home against Bristol Rovers on October 11th 1947.

He became a full-time professional the following year – the first of his many goals for Reading rounded off a 2-0 win against Elm Park against Port Vale on April 3rd 1948, setting him on his way to establishing his position as first-choice centre-forward.

Characterised by his bravery and a great aerial ability, Blackman twice scored five times in a single game for Reading. The first was in a 7-0 home demolition of Brighton & Hove Albion in November 1950, and the second came as he grabbed all of our goals in a 5-2 home win against Southend United in April 1952.

The latter haul helped him towards his record-setting 39 goals in that campaign, all of which contributed towards another club record of 112 league goals scored by the team that season. Blackman was the last remaining survivor of that free-scoring squad.

Blackman was sold to Nottingham Forest in 1954, and then moved to Ipswich Town the following year, where he remained until 1958. The forward briefly represented non-League outfit Tonbridge before hanging up his boots.

On retirement from football, Blackman moved back to Portsmouth to take up a role as a post-office telephone engineer, continuing the job which he had done before becoming a professional footballer.

Blackman leaves behind wife Iris and daughter Sue.

Our thoughts are with Ronnie’s family and friends.

[wingnut]

RIPIP

Thoughts with Nick at this difficult time.

[Nameless]

Although I doubt many of us saw him play he is a genuine legend.
If any player ever scores 39 goals in a season for us again then there will be meltdown.
Hard to see anyone tipping his all time figures either..?

[Royal Ginger]

What a legend. RIP

[strap]

What a legend. RIP

A very appropriate use of an oft over-used, (and usually undeserved), epithet.

RIP sir.

[Gordons Cumming]

I wonder if he played cricket?

As that was what I call a really good innings.

RIP Ron.

[Victor Meldrew]

Regret now not having looked him up as he lived not far away in Fareham.
His was my first autograph and he scored twice in the first game I ever saw v Norwich when I stood with my brother by a small gate that was by the corner flag at the town end.
I thank (blame) him (and my brother) for making me a Reading fan for life.

[From Despair To Where?]

RIP

Obviously never saw him play but in my formative years, along with Robin Friday, he was the player people always talked about.

A genuine club legend

[Edelston & Brice]

Very sad news, but as someone has already said - that was a fine innings.

I've been a Reading supporter since 1948 and during the late 40s and early 50s heaven knows how many goals I saw Ron Blackman score for us. He was at the centre of that wonderful forward line (Simpson, Edelston, Blackman, Henley & Bainbridge) which nearly got us promotion in the 1951-52 season. I can't help thinking that if he were playing now we'd have scored at considerably more than an average of one goal per game.

Thanks for so many memories, Ron. You really were a hero to a lot of people in the rather grim years soon after the war.

[Biscuit_Boy]

[Ian Royal]

Absolutely amazing record, club hero.

[The Royal Forester]

Great tribute, Biscuit_Boy. RIP Ronnie.

[Ark Royal]

RIP Ronnie. A true club legend. As a young kid, the stories my uncles told me about him.

[strap]

Excellent work - nabbing that for my screen saver if ok with OP.

[Biscuit_Boy]

Excellent work - nabbing that for my screen saver if ok with OP.

Cheers strap, please use it if you want.

[JIM]

Saw all his ELM PARK goals. fantastic memory of a real ROYAL player. Best wishes to his family.

From a very old long time READING supporter.

[JIM]

How about a BLACKMAN stand, at the mad stad.

[Winston Smith]

How about a BLACKMAN stand, at the mad stad.

Not sure segregation would go down that well

[Gunny Fishcake]

Sad loss and true RFC legend , of who there are very few

[SCIAG]

I imagine that record will remain for quite a while longer yet, so he'll be remembered for quite a while.