5'11.5 "  14st. 6 lb.
b. Aberdeen 2 September 1937
d. Barnoldswick 28 February 2010
 

Debut  19 August 1967 (29y 351d) Final Game 7 March 1970 (32y 182d)
CAREER: Frederick St School;Burnley Oct'54[318];Blackburn Rovers Jul'67 (£15,000);Blackpool Jun'70 (free)[1];Great Harwood Jul'71;Clitheroe (p-m) Dec'76.
INTERNATIONALS Scotland 3 apps
’63 v Nor,Spa.’66 v Ita.
HONOURS FL Ch (Burnley) ’60.FAC los (Burnley) ’62.
 

FL           96 apps  - 1 wdn
FAC         5 apps
FLC         9 apps
Total   110 apps   - 1 wdn  - 55m
Penalty record F 8 Sc 8
Minutes per goal  68  Clean Sheet % 31
Longest unbeaten  582m First conceded 25m
Most goals one game  4
LC           1 app
Minutes per goal  90
 

Present throughout Burnley's glory years but displaced by Harry Thomson, a move to Ewood appeared ideal for all parties because Blacklaw at his best had been a formidable presence. A huge man, dominant in the goalmouth and deceptively agile the truth was that he was in the downswing of his career. Although sometimes he looked the part (he once went 582 minutes between conceding goals) he had become vulnerable to the long shot and was suffering health wise. When Roger Jones was signed he had reached the end, even losing his place as deputy to John Barton. He managed Clitheroe for a time, playing occasionally but became the licensee of a public house. Later he became the caretaker/handyman and Nelson and Colne College at Barrowford. He died at his home in Barnoldswick, after battling ill health in the form of Alzheimer’s and motor neurone disease.