Reg was born in Sesswick near Wrexham in 1942, after his mother had been evacuated from Liverpool to North Wales during the war.
Joining Liverpool straight from school he rose through the junior ranks at Anfield showing plenty of promise. At 17 years 213 days old, in a 1-0 win against Stoke City, he became Liverpool’s second youngester player ever. However it was to be his only appearance and once the season was over, when his contract expired he was given a free transfer and joined Southport.
Joining on 4th July 1960, Reg would made 162 appearances for the Sandgrounders in just over three seasons, scoring 62 goals. The 18 year old had been signed by Wally Fielding however the manager would depart before the season even began. His on-field performances alongside Jimmy Blain, himself signed the previous season from Everton, and then later in the season John Fielding (Wigan Athletic), drew all the plaudits and are still fondly remembered at Haig Avenue to this day.
Blore excelled in Southport’s 7-2 F.A. Cup win over Cheshire League Macclesfield Town. His hat-trick was Southport’s first since George Bromilow scored five against Ashton United five years earlier.
The inside-forward trio of Blain, Blore and Fielding continually attracted the scouts and in December 1961 Reg Blore’s ability was recognised when he represented Wales Under-23s against Scotland, becoming the first Southport player to gain Under-23 honours; he won 4 caps in all.
Leaving Southport in November 1963 for Blackburn Rovers supporters criticised Blore’s transfer just two weeks before the season’s cup-ties; the £5000 fee however was seen as too good to turn down by the directors. Although he had few opportunities at Ewood Park he had an eventful First Division debut as deputy for Bryan Douglas, spending the second half limping on the wing. A Blackburn sports writer said, `Blore’s never-say-die spirit made him a firm favourite with the crowd. He defied his painful injury to play a full part in Rovers’ success.’ That had been typical of his style whilst at Haig Avenue too.
After leaving Ewood park he joined Oldham Athletic on Christmas eve 1965, where he made a further 181 appearances.
A keen golfer, he won the Professional Footballers’ Golf Championship in 1968.
Reg Blore will be inducted into the Southport FC Hall of Fame on 13th November 2021
I was lucky enough to meet Reg Blore in the middle of Africa of all places while I was working as a colonial officer. Nyasaland had recently gained independence following the dissolution of the Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and Oldham Athletic were on a post season tour of the newly independent Malawi. He was an exceptional player and an engaging personality particularly when discussing his time with Southport FC
Saw Reg playing at Oldham on numerous occasions in the 1969-70 season, when he was our regular number 7. Always a wholehearted competitor and popular with the fans. Rather surprisingly, the manager Jimmy Frizzell released him at the end of that season, at the age of 28. I don’t think he played any more games in the Football League after that.