Blackpool away match thread

[Jerseybean]

Good day fellow-Reds. It’s a rather good time to be a City fan given three straight wins which included two clean sheets. Let’s hope that the Wednesday game hasn’t knackered our small squad. Andi Weimann is a doubt after picking up a knock during the week: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pearson-bristol-city-fitness-blackpool-7507665

We should see Semenyo and James in the squad.

A long bank holiday trip to the seaside for the traveling Cider Army, their place is 212 miles from Ashton Gate. Blackpool are a side City haven't beaten in their last seven attempts. 

Aston Villa appointed ex Blackpool boss Neil Critchley as Steven Gerrard's number two. The pair worked together at Liverpool and it came as a huge blow to the Tangerines after a fine season on their return to the Championship, finishing 16th with one of the smallest budgets in the division. He was succeeded by Michael Appleton as Head Coach who is on a contract until June 2026. The 46-year-old returned to Bloomfield Road on the back of a three-year stint in charge at Lincoln City. He is considered to be a hard task master, https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/michael-appleton-demanding-even-more-from-his-blackpool-side-against-bristol-city-3818676

They have ambitions to create a new training ground https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-61442515

At the end of last season Jake Daniels came out and was applauded for his honesty and bravery: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0c77ppw

Last season we drew 1-1 at home,

 

Over the years we have won 36 times, lost 33 and drawn 28.

Nottingham Forest have been joined by Bournemouth and Fulham in their pursuit of Blackpool’s winger Josh Bowler. According to The Express the Seasiders have recently rejected Forest's £2.5m bid for the 23-year-old.

Like us they have recorded two wins, two losses and a draw so far and have seven points, the draw was away at Burnley last time out when they came back from being 3-1 down. As the contest drifted into the final 20 minutes, Blackpool looked set to lose for the third time in the league this season, but two goals in two minutes from Shayne Lavery and Jerry Yates clinched a point with a 3-3 draw.

We were allegedly interested in Jerry Yates a while back, here are some of the reasons why:

 

 

Referee: Andy Woolemer
Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallison
Assistant Referee: Mark Stevens
Fourth Official: Andy Haines

Chris Honor will be the Robins TV guest commentator for City's Sky Bet Championship match against the Tangerines.

A history lesson

Blackpool Football Club were formed in July 1887, making the club just a year younger than Arsenal and older than the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.

For the first 60 years of their existence Blackpool spent most of their time in the second-flight of English football, with the odd foray into the top flight.

During the Second World War, Blackpool became a key training centre for the Royal Air Force, and many of England's best players were drafted to the town and this in turn strengthened the football club. After the end of the War in 1945, two of Blackpool's most famous players came to the fore—Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. After joining the club in 1946 Mortensen was Blackpool's top goalscorer for the next nine seasons and became the first Englishman to score at the FIFA World Cup finals when he scored against Chile in the 1950 finals.

The 1940s and 50s proved to be the golden era for Blackpool.

They reached the FA Cup Final in 1948 and 1951, losing to Manchester United and Newcastle respectively, and were runners-up in the first-division in 1956—the closest the club has ever come to winning the top-flight of English football.

The club's most notable achievement came in 1953 when they returned to Wembley for the third time in six years to play Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup Final. Played in front of a crowd of 100,000, Blackpool won the game 4-3 after an injury-time winner. The game - which is better remembered as "The Matthews Final" - after Matthews' performance remains the only Wembley FA Cup Final to have seen a hat-trick, scored by Mortensen.

As the 1960s dawned, the famous side of the 50s departed and in 1967 the inevitable happened and Blackpool were relegated to the second-division.

The period did, however, see the emergence of two very talented players. Jimmy Armfield - who spent his entire career at the club would go on to make 569 appearances for the club and he was joined by Alan Ball.

Ball was still a Blackpool player when he won the Man of the Match award in the 1966 World Cup Final.

But after one year back in the first-division in 1970-71, the next 40 years saw the club go up and down the lower divisions, and spent seven years in the bottom flight.

Recent history

LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF WINNERS

The 2020–21 season was the club's 112th season in the English Football League. They finished third in League One and won promotion to the EFL Championship via the play-offs beating Lincoln City 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium, both goals being scored by Kenny Dougall.

Jerry Yates was the club's top scorer, with twenty-three goals in all competitions.

LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFF WINNERS

The 2016–17 season was Blackpool FC's 108th season in the Football League. After a 2-1 win over Exeter City in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, Blackpool were promoted to League One.

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF WINNERS

During the 2009–10 season the club were promoted to the Premier League for the first time. Despite starting the season as second favourites to get relegated, Blackpool FC beat the odds to reach the playoff-final. On 22 May 2010, Blackpool faced Cardiff City in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium beating them 3-2 thanks to goals from Charlie Adam, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Brett Ormerod. Chayrlie Adam, in his first season with Blackpool, finished as the club's top scorer, with nineteen goals in all competitions.

Well known fans (there aren’t many!)

Former FA chief executive Graham Kelly is a Blackpool fan. The football administrator was forced to resign from his post as top dog in the FA when a scandal broke out over an allegedly improper loan of £3.2 million to the Welsh FA.

Mick Melody, the antique seller known for appearances on Dickinson’s Real Deal programme is a fond supporter of the club.

Of course they were once managed by Ian Holloway, who once said of the lights along the coast that "I love Blackpool. We're very similar. We both look better in the dark."

Pubs

The Manchester, 231-233 Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 6AH, https://www.greatukpubs.co.uk/manchester-blackpool

The Bridge,124 Lytham Road, Blackpool, FY1 6DZ. 01253 402798, https://www.facebook.com/TheBridgeBlackpool/

Official away fan pub.

A family-friendly, fun pub located in the heart of Blackpool. With Blackpool FC just around the corner, the Bridge is perfectly placed to welcome away football fans and prides itself on being the Official Away Fans pub.

The pub is a ten-minute walk from Blackpool South Train Station and a 3-minute walk to the stadium. The Bridge also encourages away fan coach drop- offs directly outside the pub. It has a large selection of draught and bottled beer as well as spirits, cocktails and wines.

Bloomfield Brewhouse, 47 Ansdell Road, Blackpool, FY1 6PW, https://www.dorbiere.co.uk/bloomfield-brewhouse/#

New Albert Sports Bar, 215 Lytham Road, Blackpool, FY1 6ET, https://www.facebook.com/TheNewAlbertBlackpool/

If you fancy fish and chips at the seaside try one of these: https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/these-are-the-11-best-fish-and-chip-shops-in-blackpool-according-to-google-reviews-3353407

Blackpool facts

When someone says Blackpool, what’s the first thing you think of? The Pleasure Beach? The Lights?The seaside resort on the northwest coast of England is renowned for these attractions, but there’s plenty more to Blackpool than meets the eye.

1. In September 1977, a famous racing horse switched on the Blackpool Illuminations. Red Rum had just won his third Grand National that April.

2. It takes 14 weeks to take down all the lights of the Blackpool Illuminations.

3. Famous Blackpudlians include actor David Thewlis (Professor Remus Lupin from Harry Potter), The Cure’s Robert Smith, Dr Who sidekick Jenna-Louise Coleman, John Mahoney from Frasier, and Zoe Ball.

4. The world’s biggest stick of rock candy was made by Blackpool confectioners Coronation Rock in 1991. It was 19 feet long and weighed 413.6kg.

5. George Clooney once enjoyed fish and chips on the seafront.

6. Director Tim Burton has filmed a video for The Killers in Blackpool, and is known to love the Pleasure Beach roller coasters.

7. The White Stripes’ first live DVD is named after Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom.

8. After London, Blackpool is the second most visited place in Britain.

9. It takes seven years to paint the whole of Blackpool Tower.

10. In 1885, Blackpool introduced the world’s first permanent electric street tramway.

11. There are more than 500 designs in the Blackpool Illuminations, and the cables and wiring stretch for over 200 miles.

12. The first stagecoaches from Manchester to Blackpool started running in 1781.

13. Blackpool Zoo is built on the site of the old Blackpool Municipal Airport, which was later turned into Stanley Park Aerodrome. It was turned into an RAF parachute training centre in 1939.

14. Blackpool is known as the home of ballroom dancing. It hosts the British National Dance Championships every year in the Winter Gardens.

The term rollercoaster is often associated with BCFC although our recent results and performances provide hope that the ride ahead this season maybe less turbulent than some feared. There, I’ve said it now!

The word is relevant to Blackpool too, the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the United Kingdom’s highest rollercoaster. At 64.9 meters (around 213 feet) it also ranked among Europe’s highest rollercoasters, placed sixth as of February 2022. Additionally, it is one of the fastest roller coasters in the UK, falling only behind Stealth at Thorpe Park. The Big One reaches a top speed of 119.1 kilometers per hour (around 74 miles per hour).  The Big One (previously known as Pepsi Max Big One) has become an iconic rollercoaster in Britain, much like Blackpool Pleasure Beach itself. On the ride’s opening in 1994, The Big One was in fact the tallest roller coaster in the world, however, it lost its title two years later to Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan. Currently, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure park in the United States ranks as the highest roller coaster worldwide.

For those making the long journey here’s hoping you come home with a smile and three more points. Wherever you are cheering us on from enjoy, I’m currently in Sark and was expecting to return home on Sunday evening however have just heard the boat has been cancelled so will now be leaving around about the final whistle tomorrow. COYR! We have an allocation of 1,851 tickets if you are lucky enough to be there be loud and proud.

[ashton_fan]

Will be a good test since in recent years we've had some shocking results there, I think Keith Millen was sacked after we lost 5-0 there in 2011 and I remember us even losing there on our great promotion year of 75/76. Believe our last win was about 15 years ago

[elhombrecito]

I've endured some fairly hideous away days at Blackpool, but thankfully I'll be watching from home Frankfurt tomorrow.

I'm strangely (and worryingly) confident too...

[Ska Junkie]

2 hours ago, ashton_fan said:

Will be a good test since in recent years we've had some shocking results there, I think Keith Millen was sacked after we lost 5-0 there in 2011 and I remember us even losing there on our great promotion year of 75/76. Believe our last win was about 15 years ago

Ah, that was the day I fell THROUGH their laughable (at the time) away 'stand', it was lethal!

[Jerseybean]

13 minutes ago, elhombrecito said:

I've endured some fairly hideous away days at Blackpool, but thankfully I'll be watching from home Frankfurt tomorrow.

I'm strangely (and worryingly) confident too...

Me too, remember years ago a shocking November game which we lost 1-0, anyway if anybody fancies a potd adventure tomorrow, read on… Pay on the day will be available for City's Bank Holiday trip to Bloomfield Road. The club have sold nearly 1,000 tickets for the August Bank Holiday fixture.

PRICES

• Adults - £29
• Senior 65+ - £25
• Under 22 - £25
• Under 18 - £13
• Under 12 - £9

*Prices are exclusive of fees

[Jerseybean]

Ignore my opening post re the ref please, I changed it when I saw the BCFC preview (which was wrong) and now realise I had it right originally! So, Jeremy Simpson has the whistle for tomorrow's clash at Bloomfield Road in what will be his fourth game of the season.

Simpson has issued 15 yellow cards and no reds and he took charge of two City games last season - the 1-1 home draw with Luton and the 3-2 defeat away at Coventry City.

[bcfc01]

2 hours ago, ashton_fan said:

Will be a good test since in recent years we've had some shocking results there, I think Keith Millen was sacked after we lost 5-0 there in 2011 and I remember us even losing there on our great promotion year of 75/76. Believe our last win was about 15 years ago

About right.

Although I've never seen us lose there.

Unfortunately, I'll be watching from Amsterdam(ish) so can't keep up the record.

[cidercity1987]

I'm really expecting an away win tomorrow and 10 points from 6 games. Soon come crashing down to earth I am sure but I don't see them coping with our strikeforce 

[bcfc01]

2 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

I'm really expecting an away win tomorrow and 10 points from 6 games. Soon come crashing down to earth I am sure but I don't see them coping with our strikeforce 

I tend to agree.

Although I don't think it will be easy.

Bit like the Cardiff game, first half a bit of a slog to get to play our football, second half - do 'em.

2-1 win.

[Guest]

Went to Blackpool once had about 4 seats each on 1 coach if I remember, league cup game maybe ...memory banks shot, have prog somewhere in loft

Edited August 26, 2022 by gl2

[The turtle]

Hate the place ...

 

5-1

0-0 with no shots on target (Colin Hendry was cb for them)

Once i saw city win there , i was done with it.

Just remember it being brutally cold in summer , the endless wind 

No thanks 

[Garland-sweden]

No game in this division is easy but we have chance to Take one or all points. If we make the same trick as vs Luton and Cardiff it Will be fine. Thats history new game today , COYR 

[BS3City]

Leaving soon, first away trip of the season with a quiet night planned in Blackpool! Have to say I'm (worryingly) slightly confident.

COYR!!!

[Slippin cider]

4 hours ago, The turtle said:

Hate the place ...

 

5-1

0-0 with no shots on target (Colin Hendry was cb for them)

Once i saw city win there , i was done with it.

Just remember it being brutally cold in summer , the endless wind 

No thanks 

Last time I went there we lost 5-0 ! ….KMs last game in charge ….can’t stand the dump! 

[Major Isewater]

4 hours ago, The turtle said:

endless wind

That’d be those mushy peas. 

[Lanterne Rouge]

9 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

Ignore my opening post re the ref please, I changed it when I saw the BCFC preview (which was wrong) and now realise I had it right originally! So, Jeremy Simpson has the whistle for tomorrow's clash at Bloomfield Road in what will be his fourth game of the season.

Simpson has issued 15 yellow cards and no reds and he took charge of two City games last season - the 1-1 home draw with Luton and the 3-2 defeat away at Coventry City.

He gave us a penalty! We like him!

[Bristol Rob]

Best bin photo wins a like reaction.

[bcfctim]

Are they the only team that have won the playoffs in all three divisions?

[richwwtk]

My last game there was a 5-1 defeat (under Tinnion maybe?) 

I seem to remember the Manchester on the sea front having a pre match show something akin to the White Horse at Wycombe,  though maybe a bit softer. 

[ExiledAjax]

48 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

Best bin photo wins a like reaction.

I claim my £5.

[YGBjammy]

Lots of reasons to feel optimistic about seeing a good performance and result today, so naturally I'm incredibly nervous now!

[bcfctim]

11 minutes ago, bcfctim said:

Are they the only team that have won the playoffs in all three divisions?

Answer my own question, Huddersfield have as well

League 2: 2004 against Mansfield

League 1: 2012 against Sheff Utd

Championship: 2017 against Reading

All on penalties after 0-0 draws.

There's your (not so) interesting fact for the day

 

[RedM]

59 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

Best bin photo wins a like reaction.

I'm on it....

[ashton_fan]

Went there in 74/75 season (we lost 2-0). Most memorable fact was we had some problems with our kit and ended up wearing tangerine socks.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Despite a very stubborn Blackpool, we shall continue our march to our rightful position at the top. Our progress is inexorable, we will walk this league.

[The Gasbuster]

My first away game this season, as have been working oop north this week.

Not been to Blackpool since Carl Shutt’s debut. He got two in a 3-2 defeat IIRC.

Bloomfield Road was literally falling down at the time.

[Silvio Dante]

Pretty confident about today (again), it’s a nice feeling.

The only question mark over team for me is the CM/RWB question. My instinct is to go unchanged from Cardiff, but it’s whether Nige feels Williams is better playing here or against Huddersfield from the start. I think with the extra day, (and conversely one less day until Blackburn which looks the trickiest of the next three) it’ll be here so unchanged side, three points and this place goes into promotion talk overdrive

[Lanterne Rouge]

I remember a night match sometime in the 90s where CATS ran an early coach so you could have the day up there (something they did a few times for midweek seaside away trips - Brighton was another). Absolutely chucked it down all day and evening and the City fans ended up getting moved from the open terrace to the stand it was so bad. I think we might have won though.

Thinking about it, it lashed down for the whole day we were in Brighton too - maybe that`s why CATS stopped it! That was the famous Gary Sheton 85th minute winner game though so we weren`t too bothered come the finish!

[IAmNick]

20 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Despite a very stubborn Blackpool, we shall continue our march to our rightful position at the top. Our progress is inexorable, we will walk this league.

Blimey, what's happened to you lately?

I'm loving the new found optimism don't get me wrong, it's just not what I expected!

[RUSSEL85]

Another tough game against a stubborn team away from home. I do think we will edge it but if we come back with a point, that is satisfactory and keep a decent run going.