Blant, Colin

Colin Blant

Clubs played for: Burnley, Portsmouth, Rochdale, Darlington, Grimsby Town, Workington (1967-1977)

Born: 1946

Birthplace: Rawtenstall

Position: Defender/centre-forward

Biography: Solid workman-like defender who made Pompey his only southern club when he moved down from Burnley with Fred Smith as part of a £15,000 double deal. Spent two years at Fratton Park but turned down the chance of an additional year to return to his northern roots. Became a newsagent and did this for seventeen years. Colin had to undergo a triple heart by pass and worked as a school caretaker at a school where his wife was the Deputy Headteacher. A sports journalist once wrote "Blant was a mobile hazard to players of both sides".

Do you have any interesting, happy, or humorous memories of Colin?
If so, please let us know and we will be happy to share them with the world!

Blant, Colin Went to school in same class as Freb Blant, your brother. (Piper) Alder Grange
19-09-21 peter halstead

Blant, Colin I remember Colin signing for Pompey from Burnley with Fred Smith. Both great, no-nonsense players!
26-11-20 andy

Blant, Colin He must have been in his early 20's, he used to stand by his kitchen windows and us kids were outside. He would pretend to put a knife down his throat, standing sideways, he was a real joker. This was on Linden Lea, Balladen, rawtenstall.


Blant, Colin One of my overriding memories of being a long-suffering Darlo support is of Colin catching a clearance up to the half way line absolutely perfectly on the volley. I've NEVER seen a ball rocket towards a goalkeeper who looked genuinely scared of what was coming towards him before - except on Shaolin Soccer! I don't think the goalie saved it so much as it just hit him and (sadly) deflected it up against the bar - denying me seeing one of the greatest goals of all time. Thanks for the memory Colin - yours is right up there with Big Ron Ferguson's cracker against Wednesday!