Louis Cardwell

Louis Cardwell (20 August 1912 – 23 April 1986) was an English professional footballer. A centre-half, he spent six years at Blackpool in the 1930s, making over 100 the Football League appearances for the club, and helping them to win promotion out of the Second Division in 1936–37. He later played for Manchester City, Netherfield, and Crewe Alexandra.

Career

Blackpool After starting his career with South Shore and Imperial Hydro, Cardwell made his debut for Blackpool on 17 January 1931, in a 5–1 defeat at Middlesbrough. It was his only league appearance of the 1930–31 season; he did, however, appear in the club's two FA Cup ties. Sandy MacFarlane succeeded Harry Evans as Blackpool manager before the 1933–34 season, and the Scot only gave one start to Cardwell, in a 3–0 Boxing Day defeat at Hull City. The following season, however, he selected him in 29 of the club's 42 league games.

Cardwell served under his third Blackpool manager (this time Joe Smith) for the 1935–36 term, and he went on to be ever-present for the season. He also scored five goals. The first three came in consecutive games: against Bradford City on 7 March, Plymouth Argyle a week later, and then against Barnsley on 21 March. The remaining two were both from the penalty spot: against Hull City on 11 April and against Newcastle United on 22 April, in the penultimate game of the league campaign.

Cardwell was also ever-present the following season, 1936–37, as Blackpool were promoted to the First Division as runners-up of the Second Division. In 1937–38, Cardwell started in eleven of the first twelve league games (and scored in one of them) before being sold to Manchester City. His final game for the "Seasiders" came on 16 October, a 2–0 defeat to Chelsea at Bloomfield Road.

Manchester City and beyond Cardwell played 39 League games for Manchester City. The "Citizens" were relegated out of the top-flight in 1937–38, and finished fifth in the Second Division in 1938–39 – they were five points behind promoted Sheffield United.

He joined Port Vale as a wartime guest in January 1945, making his debut in a 5–0 defeat at Wrexham on 20 January. He scored one goal in seven further games before departing in March 1945. He also guested for Blackpool, Fulham, Millwall, Portsmouth and West Ham United.

Cardwell moved on loan to Netherfield and then left Maine Road permanently on a transfer to Crewe Alexandra in 1947. The "Railwaymen" finished tenth and 12th in the Third Division North in 1947–48 and 1948–49 under the stewardship of Frank Hill and Arthur Turner. He played 25 league games during his two seasons at Gresty Road.

Career statistics

Honours Blackpool Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1936–37