Pool Panel - Reading (h) win 1-0

After a good start to the season, most fans were seeing the visit of Reading as the first real test of the current Blackpool squad.  With a number of injuries in key positions, that squad was stretched to the limit, so to come away with a win and go top of the table is a great result.  Apparently, this is our best ever start to a season.

The goal that won it also came from a local lad, Tom Barkhuizen, which makes the result all the sweeter.  It’s been a while since we’ve had someone come through from the youth set up and having a local boy in the team helps with that indefineable spirit that has stood us in such good stead over the years.

In recent times, while our defence has had decent individual players, as a unit, we’ve been prone to concede soft goals.  With the current side you have more confidence in them keeping a clean sheet, always a good base for any successful side.

With the squad down to the bare bones, and Matty Phillips going to QPR, it’s time for the manager to boost his squad.  Right from the end of last season it’s been clear we are lacking a specialist right back and a creative midfielder who can bring our forwards into the game.  As the transfer deadline approaches, Ince must be given the backing he needs.  The signings he has brought in all seem to have the quality we needed, and with a couple of additions we can be a real force over the season.

STAR MAN: Gary Mackenzie

Q & A with Yorkshire Seasiders

New Blackpool Blog "Measured Progress" - co-edited by one of our number Chris Walker - recently ran an interview with Phil Corbett about the Yorkshire Seasiders.  These are Phil's responses below...

Measured Progress: Can you perhaps start by giving the readers a brief overview of who Yorkshire Seasiders are and what it is you do?

Yorkshire Seasiders: We exist to give a chance for supporters of Blackpool in Yorkshire, whether exiles or natives, to get together on occasion to talk about football and also organise travel to both home and away games, to the mutual benefit of all.

MP: You’ve recently celebrated 10 years as a supporters group. Has it been difficult to get to this point and how has the group changed during that time?

YS: We originally started off with the realisation from seeing the occasional ‘Pool mini-kit and scarf in cars going to games that we were not alone in supporting Blackpool, and after a message on AVFTT posted by Wilf Brooks, we got together in a bar near Huddersfield. From that initial meeting, we’ve now grown to a loose-knit community of around 100, mainly connected through the internet and by email, but also with regular minibuses organised to away games, or car shares to the more far flung games.

There hasn’t really been a time when we thought it wasn’t going to keep going, probably helped by the success on-field through the decade, which has maintained interest and kept the numbers up. Ironically, the difficulty in getting tickets for the Premier League season made it more difficult to arrange transport, especially with the late switching of games for TV.

MP: Have there been any particular highlights or memorable moments for Yorkshire Seasiders during the past 10 years that stand out?

YS: The highlights in terms of numbers in attendance have obviously been the two trips to Wembley when we’ve taken two coaches on each occasion. I think the Cardiff game will live in all our memories as one of the outstanding moments.

Leaving that aside, our first ever organised minibus trip was to Peterborough in November 2003. That game also saw the unveiling of our flag which has been many games since, including overseas on England trips and Blackpool pre-season tours.

More recently, a highlight of our annual programme is the summer Ale Trail trip from Leeds in the direction of Huddersfield. We plan it around the time of the fixtures to give us an opportunity to plan the season ahead and get back into the football spirit.

MP: How many members do you currently have, and of those how many would you term as active? Have your numbers continued to grow during the group’s 10 years in existence, or did relegation from the Premier League have an adverse effect in this area?

YS: From an initial six at the opening meeting, we now have around 100 people in contact through the mailing list, of whom maybe 30 or so we see on a regular basis on the bus trips. The Premier League didn’t really give us a boost in membership, as the peak was probably when we were planning the Wembley trips, especially second time round, when we obtained tickets for 131 people as a block. We find that each autumn we get fresh members as the various universities in the area draw in new people from the Blackpool area. Obviously, some drop off as they graduate, but the overall number remains fairly constant.

MP: One service you provide for exiled Blackpool fans is away travel. How is this operated and how many matches do you expect to provide transport to this season?

#YS: We usually take a 17 seater minibus to most games which are not easily accessible via train, with the Midlands teams usually selling out. London games usually involve taking the train. We try and publicise the train times that the bulk of us are travelling on.

For the remainder of the games, the mailing service means that any spare places in cars are taken up, saving money for all concerned through sharing petrol costs. Buses are subsidised through the funds we raise from Yorkshire Seasiders merchandise, giving us very competitive rates, increasing the take-up. For instance, we try and restrict the price to around £10 per head.

MP: In the past, Yorkshire Seasiders received a regular mention in the matchday programme as part of sponsoring a player, but in recent seasons this no longer appears to be the case – what was the reasoning behind this decision?

YS: On promotion to the Premier League the costs for sponsoring a player became prohibitive and even when prices were reduced on relegation, we came to a decision at a meeting that the monies we raised would be better spent on making access to games a priority, hence the decision to offer reduced, subsidised prices for travel.

MP: In other links to the club, it was common for Yorkshire Seasiders to present their player of the season award at the end of season event. However, this past season no formal presentation appeared to be made. What reason did the club give for doing this?

YS: Because this season’s awards were made during the 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner, a decision was made by the club to condense the award aspect of the evening. We were still able to present Tom Ince with his award from us. We present the annual shield along with a permanent trophy for the recipient. My understanding is that the format will revert to its usual one next season, with due prominence of our award in the ceremony. We are the only exile supporters club who present such an award.

MP: What relationships do Yorkshire Seasiders have with other fans groups? Are they any formal links or has a decision been made to be as independent as possible with no political agenda?

YS: Although we have informal links with BSA, SISA and BASIL, we have consciously made a decision to not affiliate to any other organisation, as we prefer to make our own decisions and make our own standpoint. Because of the loose nature of the Yorkshire Seasiders we have also made a conscious decision not to take a political standpoint as the membership has no single viewpoint, with the full spectrum of views aired at our meetings.

MP: Finally, what do you think (or hope) Paul Ince and his squad can achieve this season?

YS: Ince has impressed me in the time he has been at the club, through the way he initially steadied a rapidly freefalling club and then took us to safety with relative comfort. I think he can make us competitive in the division with the proviso that he is given the support he needs to get in the players he needs. At time of writing [Editor: 14th July], the normal method of business is applied and we have only secured a couple of centre halves. We clearly have need for about five or six more players; who comes in will make or potentially break our season.

Pool Panel - Middlesborough (a) D 1-1

On hearing the team news, all Pool fans were thinking we were set up to keep it tight and hopefully nick a goal on the break or through a set piece.  While no great spectacle, the tactics were working to perfection after Basham scored after a melee in the area, and we looked like taking all three points.  There was some frustration after we let slip a goal very late on, especially since we’d defended so well up to that point, to the extent that I can’t recall Gilks having a save to make.

However, as we are still without a recognised right back, to be unbeaten after three games is a good start whichever way you look at it.  Successful sides have always been those who have picked up points while not playing particularly well.  From what I see of the team, we are still unbalanced down the righthand side and also lacking the creative midfielder to link defence and attack.  In addition, a few players are lacking match fitness, but that will come, as will better understanding.  As a consequence, I believe we can only improve.  The next two games form a tough test, but if we can pick up points against two teams likely to be in the mix at the end of the season then we can start to believe in ourselves.

I must make mention of the applause from both sets of fans after 25 minutes for Gary Parkinson.  The highlight of the day and one I hope brings him some succour in this difficult time.

STARMAN: Gary Mackenzie

Pool Panel - Barnsley (h) Won 1-0

Another League game and another win which, considering the current dearth of players available is a great return.  We are clearly struggling to put out a team with Broadfoot and Basham being asked to play an unfamiliar role for both of them.  It’s a testament to the players that they’ve not shirked the responsibility and given their all.

Saturday’s game started brightly, with the team playing with pace and verve, but the final ball wasn’t quite there.  That allowed Barnsley to gain a foothold in the game, and the match settled into more of a stalemate, with a chance for Chopra after some nice interchange of passes being Blackpool’s best chance.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Ferguson taking control of the midfield and driving us forward.  At the moment though, we lack the creativity to take advantage of the possession we have, with moves breaking down in the final third.

When the goal did come, it was from a fantastic long, fast throw from Robinson which the Barnsley defence were unable to cope with, despite the best efforts of Perkins on the line.  On the balance of play, we possibly just about deserved to win; certainly we didn’t look like losing, with Gilks rarely tested.

The team has the potential to really build on this good start.  With the addition of a quality right back; a creative midfielder to link play and the new players developing an understanding I see no reason why we can’t be a force in the League.

STAR MAN: Barry Ferguson

Middlesbrough away - 17 August

We are running a minibus to the Middlesbrough away game on 17th August.  

Cost is dependent on numbers but would not expect it to be any more than £10 p/p.  

We'll be leaving Leeds Railway station at 10.30 and will be going up the A1 and A19 to Boro - so can pick up en route if you want.  

We've still got spaces left if you want to go. 

Please get in touch with Phil if interested.

Season 2013/2014 - Game 1 - Doncaster (a) Win 3-1

After all the frustrations over the summer as we struggled to assemble a squad, to win and score three goals is a bonus. 

Blackpool started brightly, creating a few chances, with Davies leading the line well.  We’ve been lacking that type of player for a while so all credit to Paul Ince in identifying the need and getting a good player in. We took the lead by reacting well to a loose ball in the area, eventually tapping home into an empty net after twice coming close.  After that, we were dominant to the point where I felt a little complacency set in, with us waiting for a goal to come rather than pressing home the advantage. 

As a consequence, Doncaster got a foothold in the game and eventually scored from a corner.  While I have nothing but praise for Kirk Broadfoot as a centre-half, he is not the solution at right back.  Better teams than Doncaster will target that frailty and the sooner we resolve the lack of cover there, the better.

Despite them then having periods of possession, Gilks was rarely troubled but there was an element of frustration that we might have let two points slip, especially when Ince was clean through but shot wide.  Gary Mackenzie then rose to the occasion with a proper centre half’s header.  The icing on the cake came with a great finish from Ince into an empty net from distance.

All in all, a good result, better than the performance, but we can build from here.

STARMAN:  Barry Ferguson