Blackpool
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:25 pm
All roads this Saturday lead to the Fylde coast and a trip to Blackpool - the first
encounter in Lancs between the two clubs since August '99. Many U's fans will no doubt
take the chance to experience the famous " Golden Mile " by tram and to witness
the ubiquitous illuminations and the iconic Blackpool Tower during this coming weekend.
Above: U's in action at Bloomfield Road in February 1995.
Bloomfield Road stadium has undergone a complete facelift over the past seven or eight years
and seats around 17,000. Around 2,500 can be seated in the Stan Mortensen Stand which houses
away supporters.Many 'Pool fans continue to boycott the club as a protest against the current ownership
but manager Gary Bowyer has done an outstanding job, winning promotion at Wembley in May 2017.
Before Saturday, Blackpool have the pleasure of a Tuesday night away fixture at Plymouth Argyle
whilst the U's host Bradford City. Who plans these matches ?
Played for both:
Many players have featured for both United and the Seasiders.
Among that number include Joe Rothwell (above) who had a loan spell at Bloomfield Road in 2015 and Wes Thomas.
Martin Aldridge(RIP) David Bardsley, Alex Dyer, Gary Briggs (below), Colin Greenall, John Lundstram, Paul Simpson
and Sam Slocombe have played for both too. In the 'Pool ranks currently are ex-U's Daniel Philliskirk, Kyle Vassell
and Armand Gnanduillet.
Last fixture - February 5th 2000
John Murphy's second half goal gave Blackpool at 1-0 victory over Denis Smith's
U's who were abject.The game at the Manor was played on a bitterly cold Saturday
afternoon.United managed to just avoid relegation that season.
U's: Lundin; Robinson, Watson, Whelan, Powell; Beauchamp, Tait, Fear Murphy; Lilley, Jemson
Att: 5,179
Fact: United had three players red carded at Bloomfield Road in February 1976 in a bad tempered affair.
Peter Houseman, Mick Tait and John Shuker were dismissed. At the time this was a FL record.