Blackpool's FA Cup final winning scorer Perry dies

LONDON, Sep 28 (Reuters) Bill Perry, who scored the winning goal in the celebrated 1953 FA Cup final, has died aged 77, his former club Blackpool announced today.

The South African-born former England international scored with almost the last kick of the game deep into injury time to give Blackpool an astonishing 4-3 win over Bolton Wanderers in the final at Wembley Stadium after they trailed 3-1 midway through the second half.

The match has been immortalised as ''The Matthews Final'' because Stanley Matthews, at the age of 38, turned the match around with a brilliant second half display to win the FA Cup at the third attempt.

Perry's goal followed Stan Mortensen's hat-trick for Blackpool, the last time the feat was achieved in the FA Cup final.

Perry, who was born in Johannesburg, spent 13 seasons at Blackpool making 394 appearances between 1950 and 1963 scoring 119 goals. He also played three times for England.

Reuters PDS DB2119