R is for Rankmore
Having been on the books at Cardiff City for several years, Frank Rankmore’s career break came with the Bluebirds in the early 1960s.
After Cardiff were relegated from the top flight, Rankmore signed for Peterborough United in 1963 having reportedly been recommended by Northern Ireland forward Derek Dougan, who later spent time in Northamptonshire as player-manager at Kettering Town.
Rankmore played 201 league matches over five seasons, scoring seven goals. He also starred in Peterborough’s giantkilling of Arsenal in the FA Cup and donned the captain’s armband, before transferring to the Cobblers in 1968.
In three campaigns, Rankmore made a century of appearances and more than doubled the number of league goals he managed at Peterborough. He was also part of the squad that orchestrated an impressive FA Cup run in the 1969/70 season, scoring in the fourth round to help set up an infamous tie against a star-studded Manchester United side from three divisions above.
On the international stage, Rankmore made one appearance for Wales having been called up for a tour of South America, featuring against Chile as a substitute in front of 54,000 spectators. Rankmore was a Peterborough player at the time and was joined in the national team by Cobblers midfielder Graham Moore.
After an injury-enforced retirement in 1971, Rankmore spent time as a publican and a toolmaker, and moved back to his home city of Cardiff.
