Career
He was a combative player known for his attacking free kicks and a utility player who excelled in defence, but could play equally well in midfield. Blackmore began his professional career at Manchester United in 1982, having progressed through the club"s youth ranks. After twelve years and 186 league appearances, he switched to Middlesbrough on a free transfer, and made 53 league appearances in five years, whilst also having a brief loan spell at Bristol City in 1996.
Having left Middlesbrough in 1999, he had short spells at Barnsley, N ottinghamshire County and Leigh Remote Method Invocation over the next couple of seasons, before a much longer stint at Bangor City commenced in 2000.
He left Bangor City in 2006 (after a brief stint as player-manager), having made 176 league appearances for the club, and, after spending a season with Porthmadog (where he was also player-manager), switched to Neath Athletic in 2007, where he made a further 22 league appearances before retiring in 2010. Manchester United
He joined Manchester United as an associated schoolboy at the age of 14, and was an FA Youth Cup finalist in 1982.
He made his debut for United on 16 May 1984 in their 2–0 league defeat against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. He made a solitary league appearance the following season, although in 1985-1986 he scored three goals in 12 league games, but he didn"t get a serious run in the side until the 1987-1988 season, by which time Alex Ferguson was United"s manager, when he played 22 league games and scored three goals.
1988-1989 saw Blackmore enjoy even more first team opportunities as he played 28 times in the league.
He made 35 League appearances for United in 1990-1991, and 33 in 1991-1992. He was United"s regular left-back in the 1990-1991 season, but when Paul Parker signed in the close season, Denis Irwin was switched to left-back and Blackmore returned to his familiar pattern of alternating between different positions, although he did enjoy a good run at right-back when Parker was injured. A succession of injuries meant that he was unable to play in the 1993-1994 season, and competition throughout the team was growing.
Middlesbrough
He joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer for the 1994-1995 season after spending more than a decade at Old Trafford.
He was signed by newly appointed player-manager Bryan Robson, who had just headed to Teesside from United. Whilst at Boro he had a loan spell with Bristol City.
Later career
He later had brief spells with Barnsley and at N ottinghamshire County. Later he moved into non-league football with Leigh Remote Method Invocation and Bangor City.
He made his senior debut for the national side on 26 February 1985, in a 1–1 friendly draw with Norway, and his final appearance for the Welsh side came on 29 March 1997.
Club
Manchester United
Premier League: 1992-1993
FA Cup: 1989-1990
FA Charity Shield: 1990 (shared)
Union of European Football Associations Cup Winners" Cup: 1990-1991
Union of European Football Associations Super Cup: 1991
Middlesbrough
Football League First Division: 1994-1995
Leigh Remote Method Invocation
Peter Swales Challenge Shield: 1999–2000.