Career
Blackman joined Reading in 1946 from Gosport Borough, making his debut for Reading with a 5–2 defeat v Bristol City. Blackman played a vital role in the Reading team that finished second in the 1951/52 old Third Division, narrowly missing out on promotion. Towards the end of that season, within the space of three weeks, Blackman scored a total of 10 goals at Elm Park – including five goals against Southend United on 14 April and four against Bournemouth on 3 May to end the season on a high note.
He scored 39 league goals that season and another goal in the, a league club record which has yet to be equalled six decades later, although Trevor Senior edged ahead by scoring 41 goals in all competitions in 1983-1984.
In 1953, Blackman left Reading to join Nottingham Forest with the club record for the number of League goals scored – 158. Blackman died on 16 February 2016.
A minutes applause was held in his honour before Reading"s tie with West Bromwich Albion on 19 February 2016.
