Pool Panel - Middlesborough (h) - Win 4-1

Tuesday night against Middlesbrough was a fantastic display from Blackpool who played some magnificent football on their way to a 4-1 win.  It could have easily been double that but for some fine saves by Steele.  In addition, the way we played, with pace, power and no little skill was a joy to watch. 

Bear in mind that for two games running we’ve made six changes, so it’s fair to say that we now have strength in depth, with no-one able to forecast the side accurately, yet the side doesn’t look any weaker for it.  We’ve now got the squad I wish we’d had when we were in the Premier League, as changes can be made to suit the circumstances without weakening the side.  In our previous stint, while we had a decent side, it became clear as the season wore on that we simply had no cover, and so faded as games went on.

Now we have a real squad, and although it’s early in the season, we are playing with a sense of urgency and determination, as if to prove that we belong in the top flight.  I write this before the Huddersfield game, and there are tough games to follow at Cardiff and Hull, but I really believe that if we are still well up the table by the end of October, we could see a Blackpool side go up automatically.  It’s nice to have expectations, and this team are more than capable of delivering them.

STARMAN: Nathan Delfonso

Yorkshire Seasiders Meeting - September 2012

We held our meeting at the Scarborough Taps yesterday, which was well attend – with 8 people turning up.  The below is just a quick summary of what was discussed and out coming action points…

1. Away Travel

Cardiff Away – Sept 29^th

We have hired a 17 seater mini bus for this trip and currently have room for a couple more supporters.

We will be departing from Leeds at 08:45 and looking to pick up at Sheffield Meadow Hall station at around 09:30.

We can arrange to make stops for pickups anywhere down the M1, so please let us know if you would like to come along.

We have agreed to use some of the excess club funds to cap the price of this trip to £15 p.p. (more on this below).

Bristol City Away – November 17^th

We will be running a  mini bus to this match, so please let us know provisionally if you would like to attend and we will get in touch with firm arrangements closer to the time.

Other Matches

There are no other long distance matches that we would plan on running a mini-bus to now until next year – with Wolverhampton probably being the next.  All our upcoming away games look fairly local otherwise.  We do not usually run mini buses for London games, as trains are the more popular choice – Train tickets are now available to book for Peterborough and Crystal Palace away and are looking fairly cheap.

If anyone does need a lift to any game, home or away, please feel free to get in touch – we can usually manage to accommodate a couple of extra fans between us all!

2. New Merchandise

We have agreed to do a run of badges using the new Tower Power logo.  Phil is making enquiries to his designer and will place an order for either 50 or 100 badges, depending on cost.  We expect the charge to be in the region of £250 for 100 badges.

If the design is a success and people like it, then we will look into producing other merchandise lines – such as t shirts, caps, mouse mats etc.

    

3. Funds

We currently have a decent reserve of funds in the bank – around £750.  Whilst some of this will be tied up with badge production etc, it was decided that we should look to reduce capital if possible.

It was decided not to sponsor a player this season, as the cost is £420 (inc VAT) and this would eat up most of our remaining funds but it was agreed that we would reconsider this next year.

The meeting voted in favour of using some of the available funds to subsidise the cost of mini-bus travel in a hope that this may encourage more people to travel with us.  It was agreed that the first match we would try this for was the upcoming Cardiff away game and that we would subsidise the cost of travel per person by £2-£3 to keep the per person cost down to £15. If this is a success then we would look at repeating this again for the Bristol City away game. 

There was some concern, raised by the Chariman and Vice Chairman, that this would just serve to benefit the same people each time but the consensus was that anyone was free to travel with Yorkshire Seasiders and that if more people wanted to travel with us because of it being cheaper then this would be a good thing.

4. Bill Ayre Tribute Night – 5^th October

It was agreed that Yorkshire Seasiders would book a table at the Billy Ayre tribute night on Friday 5^th October. 

If you would like to attend then please let us know.

Tickets are £15 per person.

5. Next Meeting – Annual General Meeting – November 25^th

We propose to hold our next meeting in Barnsley at the Old Number 7 pub (to be confirmed).  Many of you will  have visited the pub ahead of the game on Saturday and, if you did, I am sure you would agree it is an excellent place with a superb range of beers available – and more importantly it is run by a Blackpool fan!

The Old No.7 is conveniently located for the Train Station and should hopefully make it easier for those located in the South of Yorkshire to attend.

http://www.oldno7barnsley.co.uk/

This will be our annual general meeting, where we vote on appointments to the board for the year going forward.  Phil and I will circulate a report on our activities for the year ahead of the meeting and a proposed agenda in advance. 

It would be great if as many people as possible could attend.

Please feel free to contact either Phil or I if you have any questions, look forward to seeing you at a game soon

Charlie

Pool Panel - Barnsley Away - 1-1

An excellent turnout of Seasiders fans at Oakwell after the fortnight’s break probably came away slightly frustrated that we didn’t pick up three points, although Barnsley played their full part in what was a very entertaining game.

After an early scare when Gilks saved low to his post, Blackpool exerted control of the game and created a number of half chances without really clicking into full, fluent mode.  Banrsley then scored against the run of play when it appeared that Gilks maybe could have done better with the cross shot. 

We again took control though and got a fully deserved equaliser as GTF and Martinez combined well before Martinez slipped a lovely ball into Tom Ince’s path.  His pace took him away from the defenders before coolly slotting the ball past the keeper.  Unfortunately we were unable to convert a number of good chances as the second half wore on with the keeper in inspired form, saving well from Gomes and Ince in particular.

So only a point to show for it and the result means that we slip a place in the table, but we have played an additional game away from home.  Tuesday night against Middlesbrough is a stern test, but if we play to our abilities I have no worries about winning the game. 

These are heady days to be a Pool fan, with slick flowing and most importantly, winning football on offer.  If possible, get down to Bloomfield Rd and see for yourself.

STARMAN: TOM INCE 

Next Meeting - Sunday 16th September

Next Meeting – Sept 16^th

The next meeting will take place the Sunday following the Barnsley game  – Sunday 16^th September. 

The venue will be the Scarborough taps to start off with, but we can move on to elsewhere afterwards, if people are interested.   

The Scarborough Taps (or Scarborough Hotel as it is officially called) is located on Bishopgate in leeds, just opposite the station, so is perfect for those travelling by train from other areas of Yorkshire.  If you need directions please see the following link:

Scarborough Taps

As usual it will be a 12.30 start, but if people could aim to arrive for just after 12 that would be great. 

Hope to see you then!

  

Away Travel - Cardiff away - Saturday September 29th

We have booked a 17 seater coach from Arrow in Bradford for this years trip to Cardiff.
We currently have 12 people booked on in advance, so have room for a few more.
We will be setting off from Leeds city centre at around 08.45 and making another pick up at Meadowhall at 0930 - We can also pick up anywhere along the <1.

Please let Phil or Charlie know if you would like to come on this trip...

Lets pray for no snow or pissed up Jaguar drivers this year, and for another 3-1!

Pool Panel - Season So Far...

Only four games into the season and a fortnight off.  At least it gives us some time to take stock of how we’re doing.

For me, the defeat at Leicester was a bit of a reality check as we’ve got off to such a good start.  Although we lost to a penalty given after the best tackle of the game, overall we failed to match up to Leicester’s aggression and drive, apart from spells at the end of each half.

In the previous three games, it’s been us setting the tempo, by pressing when not in possession, and keeping the ball, frustrating the opposition when we do.  We need to maintain that template and I see no reason why this season might be a truly memorable one.

It seems to me that we have major strength in depth, with the bench now made up of players who are all probably deserving of a starting position.  Compare that with the season we had in the Premier League, and we’ve progressed, as back then, we matched teams for an hour, grew tired but the substitutes were unable to influence the game.

Broadfoot is able to play in a number of positions across the back four, so I would anticipate than any moves in the loan market would be for a forward to add an additional cutting edge to what we already have.

In summary, so far, so good.  Let’s hope we can maintain the current momentum, starting at Barnsley.

Charity Bike Ride - Wakefield to Bridlington

One of our own Yorkshire Seasiders, Glynn Clarke, is participating in a charity bike ride from Wakefield to Bridlington on 15th September in aid of Save The Children.

For anyone who would like to support Glynn in this great cause, there are a couple of ways to donate:

1. Visit the Just Giving page
   
2. Text HBRU59 (followed by donation £??) to 70070

Glynn is aiming to raise £2,000 for the charity and all sponsorships would be gratefully received.

 

The 73 mile bike ride takes place on the same day Blackpool take on Barnsley at Oakwell, so be sure to spare a thought for Glynn while we're giving the Tykes a good thrashing!

 

Good luck Glynn!

Pool Panel - Leicester away - Lost 0-1

So the great run finally comes to an end and frustratingly, in front of the TV cameras...

I thought we were suckered into playing Leicester at their own game, only playing our short passing game in the last quarter of each half.  When we did, we created a number of chances and could have taken something from the game, as while Leicester were getting forward a lot, I thought our defence coped very well with them..

Of course, the final score was controversially through a penalty that never was.  I was 120 yards away at the other end of the ground and it was clear from there that Gomes had got a foot to the ball.  For a Premier League referee to allow the crowd to influence him in such a way says more about the standard of refereeing than anything else.

The positive to take is that we are still top of the League going into a fortnight’s break, a position that we would all have settled for as the season started.  Hopefully, the fortnight will allow the new signings to bed in and play a full part in what has been a great start to the season.

STARMAN: Alex Baptiste