Saturday, September 24 – 1904
Bob Birket, Blackpool’s popular captain, takes a well-earned benefit on Wednesday night, when North End visit Blackpool, and as there is much interest in the Prestonians’ success against Blackpudlians, Birket should be rewarded with a bumper.
Birket has been playing for with Blackpool for 10 years now, and such fine form is he showing this season that he looks good for many more years to come.
As a Fylde bred player, he sticks to his old love, despite the many offers made him by other clubs. For some time he was Blackpool’s centre, and one season he scored 36 goals, which constituted a record for the Lancashire League, wherein Blackpool where then playing.
Leaving that position he went full back, where his immediate and continued success was highly appreciated. With Scott on his left, Birket has defended Blackpool’s goal for a long time.
This season he is admitted to be playing a more sterling game than he ever did. Against West Bromwich last Saturday he was in his best form. Though his position is one which might lend itself to rough tactics, Birket never forgets his manners, and his opponents willingly admit that he is one of the fairest of players.
His tackling is resolute, and a forward has to be particularly smart to pass him. In kicking he would be bad to beat.
(Lancashire Evening Post, 24-09-1904)
Sketch connected with the article.
"Play Up, Liverpool" 