|
A local boy from a family with a strong football pedigree, he formed the first of Liverpool's great post-Second World War attack partnerships alongside Albert Stubbins. Balmer's uncles Bill and Bob had played for Everton in the early 1900's and Jack had been on the Goodison books as an amateur. But he signed professional for Liverpool as a 19-year old in 1935 and later became captain. He was equally at home at centre or inside forward and during the war years won England recognition in what were classed as unofficial internationals. But the resumption of organised League football in 1946-47 brought Balmer the only major winners medal of his career as Liverpool lifted the first post-war championship. Liverpool's then club record £12,500 signing of Stubbins from Newcastle produced a bountiful 48-goal attacking partnership with Balmer - each man scoring 24 - in a side that also included the legendary Billy Liddell and subsequent Anfield managers Phil Taylor and Bob Paisley. During November of that season Balmer earned a niche in the record books by hitting three consecutive League hat tricks: three against Portsmouth, four at Derby and three against Arsenal. He also scored five in the next four games to give him 15 goals in seven matches! He retired in 1952 after scoring 111 goals in 313 League and FA Cup appearances. He died on Christmas Day 1984. If you have anything to add to the profile of this player, why not e-mail it to us?
|
