On 2 May 2010, the 57th anniversary of Blackpool's FA Cup Final victory, Blackpool hosted Bristol City for the final League game of the season. The current capacity of the stadium is 17,338, all seated. The day started at 9.45am with a parade of all the children taking part, followed by a civic ceremony by the mayor. In August 2014, former Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste reminisced on his time at Squires Gate: "No balls in training, having to run on the beach because the pitch had been frozen for two weeks, no food after training, leaks in the Portacabins, having to buy our own weights just random stuff like that! [5], Also in 1929, Eli Percival, a general dealer whose business was based on Elizabeth Street, gifted the club the oak panelling that lined the walls of the Bloomfield Road boardroom until 2003. On 22 May 2011, exactly 365 days after their promotion, Blackpool were relegated back to the Championship after losing 42 at champions Manchester United on the final day of the season, though results elsewhere also impacted the final league standings. The western half of the Kop was closed, with the eastern half open only to visiting support and the East Paddock became segregated. MacFarlane occupied the Bloomfield Road hot seat for just two seasons, in which the club finished 11th and fourth. The first competitive game played at the ground took place on 21 October 1899, when South Shore played the 1st South Lancashire Regiment. [21] Four days later Blackpool broke their transfer record by signing Charlie Adam from Scottish champions Rangers for 500,000,[22] topping the 275,000 paid to Millwall for Chris Malkin in 1996. Around 1976, the Evening Gazette and The Green paint was changed to black-on-green firstly, then black-on-white, while the Premier Garage and Vauxhall & Bedford sections were repainted to feature an advert for Lancaster-based Oliver Rix's British Leyland Garages[78] in tangerine lettering on a blue background. Blackpool live score, schedule & player stats | Sofascore Blackpool's goals came from Ken Smith, Ernie Taylor and Sandy Harris. At the other end of the spectrum, the smallest stadium by capacity is the Wham Stadium, home of Accrington Stanley, . Blackpool FC is currently a member of the EFL Championship and plays at Bloomfield Road. [54] An Oystons Estate Agency sign was also erected advertising retail space for lease, a pub/restaurant and "hotel with hospitality suites for match days" in the new South Stand. Founded in 1887, the club played home games at Raikes Hall and the Athletic Grounds before moving to Bloomfield Road in 1901. Blackpool had gained permission for a 17,600 all-seater stadium against the present capacity of 12,555. Blackpool won 80. [9] Ayre was sacked in the summer of 1994 and was replaced by Sam Allardyce. Along the east side of the ground, the concreted East Paddock was built, costing roughly 3,000, which nearly broke the club but raised the ground to have a capacity of 18,000. After finishing third-bottom, the club were not re-elected at the end of the 189899 season, and spent the 18991900 term back in the Lancashire League. Former Norwich City manager Gary Megson replaced Allardyce, and attained a seventh-placed finish in his only season in charge. The next match, a draw at home Aston Villa, left them in 15th, their lowest placing of the campaign to date. Before the season's conclusion, Shannon was briefly replaced by Jimmy Meadows as caretaker manager, who in turn was permanently replaced by Bob Stokoe. Hampson had bagged 45 of the club's 98 league goals. [63], On 12 November 2009 it was confirmed that Blackpool F.C. A.F.C. Blackpool The overall capacity was announced as 15,254. Nigel Worthington succeeded Megson in the summer of 1997, and in the Northern Irishman's two full campaigns in the hot seat, Blackpool finished 12th and 14th. On the 35th anniversary of his death, the plaque was unveiled on the exterior wall of this corner. The 192425 season was not as successful; a 17th-placed finish tempered only slightly by the club's reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time. Blackpool finished second behind Chesterfield and were back in Division Three. [12] After beating Oldham Athletic 52 on aggregate in the semi-final[13] they met Yeovil Town in the final at the new Wembley Stadium, their first appearance at England's national stadium in 15 years. In 2020, Neil Critchley became the first appointment to be known as a head coach. The stadium hosted three matches of the 2005 UEFA Women's Championship. Arsenal head back to the Emirates for the second leg of their Womens Champions League semi-final with the tie against Wolfsburg finely poised at 2-2; follow the game in our dedicated live blog . In addition, commenting on the attendance, it was thought that "the figure would have been nearly double had Raikes been available".[6]. Kassam Stadium; Capacity: 12,500; Opened: 2001; The Kassam Stadium, with only three stands, opened in 2001 to . Tony Ellis was the club's top scorer with 17 league goals. The original Kop had a roof installed over it in the 1960s, but it was pulled down again in the 1980s. Colin Hendry became the new manager, but was replaced by Simon Grayson in November 2005 after an unsuccessful stint which left Blackpool languishing just above the relegation zone of League One (third tier). Graham Carr replaced Mullen, but his spell in the manager's seat was even shorter just four months. With a capacity of 16,220 spectators, the home of Blackpool FC is the smallest stadium in the premier League. 1 . [26] Work commenced on 14 June. On 21 May 2009, Ian Holloway was appointed as manager, signing a one-year contract with the club with an option of a further year. [74] This was replaced in the 1970s by Whitbread's "Whitbread Tankard. [24] This beat the previous high of 10,427, when Rotherham United visited on 20 August 1980. [77] The southern portion consisted of an advert asking patrons "Have You Tried Ismail's Tea? Even in the early days of Bloomfield Road's existence, advertising was in evidence around the ground, with "Winter Gardens", the town's entertainment complex, emblazoned above the southern half of the West Stand. Fax: 0844 871 2931. [85], Before changing to tangerine permanently, the team tried several different colours: blue-and-white striped shirts in the 1890s (becoming known as the Merry Stripes); a mixture of red or white shirts at the turn of the 20th century; and, during the First World War, black, yellow and red. [5] A fire ripped through the building in November 2002, and its demolition was discussed. [17] Tottenham went on to win the competition. The worst-case scenario fallback is to build a temporary south." In the latter part of the 201819 EFL League One season, away fans moved to the North-East Stand. For the women's team, see, For Blackpool's season-by-season statistics, see. Three days later, they hosted the Yorkshiremen at Bloomfield Road and lost 30. Blackpool FC's hotel features a restaurant and bar, a conference centre, a snack bar and deli and a free parking. It was during this season out of the League that Blackpool amalgamated with local rivals South Shore and moved to Bloomfield Road. [104] In 1996, Northern Ireland's James Quinn became the club's first player in sixteen years to be selected for a full international, the previous one being Derek Spence in 1980. [35], In October 2009, a replica of the club's crest, measuring 4 metres (13 feet) in diameter, was mounted at each end of the West Stand's facade, overlooking Seasiders Way.[36][37]. [5], In the summer of 1989, the club had to spend "thousands"[5] on repairs to the ground, with the South Stand roof being the main concern. We are aiming to start work on the roof for the South-West Corner towards the third week of July. [58], On 6 April 2015, with six league fixtures remaining, Blackpool were relegated to League One. His replacement was another former Blackpool player, Stan Mortensen. [52] This was countered by a run of nine defeats in 10 games, which resulted in Ince being sacked on 21 January 2014, 11 months into his tenure. [121], 1 Derek Woodman BMW sponsored the club's home shorts, while Derek Woodman Mini sponsored their away versions, 2 Blackpool Leisure were the shorts sponsors, 3 Tower Insurance were the shorts sponsors[128], Between the 200506 season and the 200910 season, Glyn Jones Estate Agents appeared in the back of their home shirts, while JMB Properties Ltd. appeared on the back of their away shirts. In May 2016, a second successive relegation occurred, which put Blackpool in the bottom tier of English professional football for the first time in 15 years. "I've jumped on the best ride of my life and I don't want to go home."[31][32]. The match was televised live on Sky Sports. Their second win was in 2004, this time beating Southend United 20 again in Cardiff. It cost just over 13,000 and held 4,000 people, bringing the total ground capacity to well over 20,000. The capacity of the ground was reduced to 30,000 in the late 1960s when new seating was installed. Blackpool won 20, a club-record 10th consecutive victory, and were promoted to the Championship in their 100th overall season in the Football League. It cost 25,000, which was paid for by the club, Blackpool Council and Blackpool fans.[39]. Transfers & rumours . [50] He was replaced four days later by Michael Appleton, who left League One side Portsmouth to take up the position; however, after being in charge for just two months, Appleton left for Lancashire neighbours Blackburn Rovers, becoming the shortest-serving manager in Blackpool's history. Blackpool have played their home games at Bloomfield Road since 1901. Pitch size: 102m x 68m. The League Cup came into existence in 196061. [44] In a radio phone-in on BBC Radio Lancashire on 6 February 2008, Karl Oyston stated that, "The South will be built as and when it is right for the football business. In the mid-1990s, the entire East Stand roof was painted tangerine and featured, in black lettering, an advert for Coucher & Shaw, a local solicitors company.[79]. [5], The West Stand was completed in the summer of 2002 and was officially opened on 6 August, with former Seasiders player Keith Walwyn the guest of honour for a friendly against Blackburn Rovers. Ball himself only lasted a year in the job, and departed when the club were relegated to the League's basement division. This corner contains 815 seats, houses a large video screen, and the players' families' hospitality balcony. [130], In August 2021, the club launched Tangerine TV as a direct replacement to the EFL's iFollow streaming service. A webcam was fitted so fans could keep track of the progress of construction in the East Stand. When their Borough Park stadium closed in 1987, Blackpool Borough played their final six home games at Bloomfield Road, before relocating out of the town. Brentford were the visitors for a game that ended goalless. [53], Barry Ferguson was named caretaker manager upon Ince's dismissal. [83] Appleton was sacked seven months later, on 18 January 2023, after the club managed one win in eleven games. "Blackpool's Wonga tie will not be renewed", List of one-club men in association football, "Simon Sadler announced as new owner of Blackpool Football Club", "Final 2006/2007 Football League One Table", "Nottingham Forest 34 Blackpool (46 on aggregate)", "Blackpool have a rich past but now the Premier League club will have a richer future", "http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7132369.ece", "Seasiders in victory parade on promenade", "Thousands welcome home triumphant Seasiders", "Blackpool fans enjoy taste of Premier League success", "Blackpool fined 25,000 by Premier League", "Holloway vows to prove Blackpool doubters wrong", "Adam ready to give Dalglish selection headache", "Liverpool complete deal for Blackpool's Charlie Adam", "Ian Holloway accepts Crystal Palace manager role", "Paul Ince: Blackpool appoint former England captain as boss", "Paul Ince: Blackpool boss sacked after less than a year in charge", "Jose Riga: Blackpool confirm ex-Charlton Athletic boss as manager", "Blackpool: From the Premier League to having eight players", "Blackpool: Jose Riga says he had nine eligible players before opener", "Lee Clark: Blackpool appoint ex-Birmingham City manager", "Blackpool charged over pitch invasion in Huddersfield draw", "Blackpool appoint Neil McDonald as their new manager", "Identity of paedophile football coach revealed", Blackpool: Oyston family puts the League One club up for sale after 31-year ownership, Blackpool fans celebrate after club is put up for sale by Oyston family, "Karl Oyston steps down as chairman of Blackpool in apparent rift", "Blackpool: Owner Owen Oyston removed from board by receiver", "Blackpool: EFL chooses not to impose 12-point deduction after receivers appointed", "Blackpool: Simon Sadler announced as new owner of League One club", Simon Sadler Founder and Chief Investment Officer Segantii Capital Management, "Terry McPhillips: Blackpool manager steps down after one season in charge", "Simon Grayson: Blackpool re-appoint former Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston boss", "Neil Critchley Appointed New Head Coach", "League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early", "Aston Villa announce Neil Critchley appointment", "Sadler's message to fans in response to Appleton appointment negativity", "Blackpool sack Appleton after one win in 11 games", "The loudest fans in the Premier League revealed: where does your club rank? On 8 July 2008, the club released a statement from club president Valeri Belokon stating that work on both the new South Stand and the South-West Corner would begin immediately, with Belokon and the Oyston family in a full partnership to fund the building of the stands. Goalkeeper George Farm signed in 1948, followed by outside-left Bill Perry in 1949. The Football League subsequently declared the result the 00 scoreline it was at the time of abandonment, which meant Blackpool finished the season with 26 points. 200708: 8,861 (92%) Walking to the game would have been very different from today. In the 200607 FA Cup Blackpool reached the fourth round for the first time in 17 years, after beating Aldershot Town 42 at Bloomfield Road, but were knocked out by Norwich City, 32 after a replay at Carrow Road. Blackpool finished fourth in Buckley's first season in charge. The outbreak of war forced the cancellation of League football for four years, during which time regional competitions were introduced. Blackpool remained in the Second Division until they won the league title in 192930, though they were relegated after three seasons in the First Division. Bloomfield Road (Blackpool) - The Matchday Man Eight-and-a-half miles separate Bloomfield Road and The Fishermen's Highbury Stadium. In 1897, they moved to the Athletic Grounds at the present-day Stanley Park, which hosted thirty-two League matches over two seasons. 199900: 4,841 (43%) Above that, on a stanchion attached to the rear slope of the roof, was a billboard for Morrell's Steelworks. Q.P.R. In the summer of 2006 the club announced that building of the South-West Corner of the ground, which would seat 582, would begin on 23 September 2006. As quickly as Shannon had taken Blackpool up, he saw them return whence they came. 199899: 5,116 (45%) A roof was put up over the Spion Kop at the north end of the ground,[14] with BLACKPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB painted on its rear;[15] however, it was taken down in 1981 after only twenty years. [63], In May 2017, under Bowyer, Blackpool won promotion to League One after beating Exeter City 21 at Wembley in the play-off final. Their promotion had been sealed after the penultimate game of the season, a 30 victory at rivals Preston North End, courtesy of a Fred Pickering hat-trick. This meant that the club's average attendances were around the 2,000 mark, making the club's formative years a financial success.[1]. All matches would be all-ticket for visiting support. Twice Blackpool narrowly missed promotion to Division One, by two points in 1974 and 1977. [90], On 28 August 2010 Blackpool played Fulham in their first-ever home Premier League game, in front of a crowd of 15,529, the largest attendance for over 30 years at Bloomfield Road. [5] The Trotters won by a single goal.[13]. 200001: 4,459 (44%) In the 200809 season, it was 9,650. [11] The attendance was 23,000. [6] Raikes Hall was used for the season's remaining home games, and it was not until a practice match on 25 August 1900 that the club then back in Division Two returned to Bloomfield Road. This included Blackpool Council being asked to use eminent domain to purchase and demolish twenty-seven buildings in that street. The Evening Gazette and The Green adverts remained until the 1980s; however, that of Harold Smith's garage which, along with the former two, was repainted in the reverse colours of white-on-black was halved in length and re-branded "Premier Garage South Shore" in the mid-1960s. A new video screen was also installed. spelled out in white seats, the Jimmy Armfield South Stand (with the former player's last name spelled out in white seats) and the Sir Stanley Matthews West Stand (with one of the club's nicknames, "SEASIDERS", spelled out in white seats). On 10 March 2010, the club announced the opening of the stand would be for the next home game, ten days later, against Crystal Palace. [5], Bloomfield Road hosted its 1,000th Football League game on 10 September 1960, with a visit by Lancashire neighbours Bolton Wanderers. Bloomfield Road does not lack for atmosphere. [16], On 17 March 1986, the club's directors announced that they were ready to sell the Bloomfield Road ground as a site for a supermarket. Bloomfield Stadium ( Hebrew: ) is a football stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel, with a capacity of 29,400. Work did eventually begin on the hotel on land formerly occupied by the Tangerine Night Club, which had been announced by the club to be built at the same time as the South-West Corner. Partly erected, it was opened for the first time on 10 November for the visit of West Bromwich Albion. Blackpool FC - Club profile | Transfermarkt [26], Blackpool defeated Cardiff City 32 on 22 May in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium to earn promotion to the Premier League. It was described by Blackpool manager Ian Holloway as a "hell hole" in 2009, shortly after which chairman Karl Oyston pledged to build a new facility. Who do you want to win? [84], Blackpool first began wearing tangerine for the 192324 season, after a recommendation from referee Albert Hargreaves, who officiated an international match between the Netherlands and Belgium and was impressed by the Dutchmen's colours. The club's Academy, headed by Ciaran Donnelly, is rated as Category 3 (the highest, of four categories, being Category 1). Visiting Bloomfield Road | Blackpool Football Club Or a drummer. When the fire brigade arrived, the stand was a blazing inferno with a northerly wind causing the flames to completely destroy the entire southern end, including both the original secretary's office, the boardroom including club records many silver cups and a collection of historical photographs that adorned the office. Blackpool FC . Plans were submitted to Blackpool Corporation and final approval was given in April 1974 and work commenced in September. Bloomfield Road - FootballFanCast.com He was concerned that the news could drive potential investors away from purchasing space in the South Stand. In the 200708 season it changed a number of times due to extra seating in the West Stand and Kop and a decrease in the East Stand. List of England Football Stadium ordered by capacity Capacity: 17,338 (All-Seater) There are a number of buildings that stand out on the Blackpool skyline and Bloomfield Road, with its bright exterior and cantilever roof, is certainly one of them. The final Christmas Day fixture at Bloomfield Road occurred in 1965, with the visit of Blackburn Rovers. A new temporary East Stand with a capacity of 5,120 was built . Prior to this they had played "big games" at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool FC | Blackpool Football Club [6], Once again, Blackpool returned to playing their home games at Raikes Hall for the remainder of the season. [8] Also this year, a new directors' box was built in the North-West Corner of the ground. [77] During the 196970 season this was joined, to its northern side, by an advert for Vauxhall & Bedford, which led to the Premier Garage advert being halved in size. A single-goal defeat at fellow Lancastrians Blackburn Rovers ended the Seasiders' run. [72], For around fifty years after Bloomfield Road's 1899 opening, adverts were restricted to hoardings around the ground. 'Pool's considerable debts were virtually cleared by the time the hostilities ended. [6] These improvements were not made to the satisfaction of the club, and they remained at Raikes Hall. McPhillips was made the permanent manager a month later. McMahon arrived too late to save the club from relegation to the Third Division (fourth tier) after a 22nd-placed finish in the table. capacity of blackpool stadium "[109], In June 2020, the club purchased a modular building for the training ground.