From the Evening News, April 1, 1953: A STORM has blown up over Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery's friendly message of congratulations to Bolton Wanderers on reaching the FA Cup Final.

Blackpool is taking keenly what it considers to be an affront, in view of the fact that the Field Marshal is also a Freeman of the seaside town. A telegram has been sent to him by the Mayor of Blackpool in these terms.

In addition, the Mayor sent a telegram to Mr Winston Churchill, who is Blackpool's senior Freeman, inviting the Prime Minister to "shout for Blackpool" by way of equalizing the chances.

Opinion at Burnden Park today on these moves was that someone in Blackpool is making a mountain out of a a molehill. Perhaps it is just Blackpool's publicity flair!