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Brett wants to repeat derby magic
THERE is many a Blackpool fan who, if they shut their eyes and think of their favourite moment, will come up with April 17, 1999.
In the greater scheme of things it wasn't a good day. It was an awful day.
An explosion outside a busy supermarket in Brixton injured 45 people.
It was the first of three nail bombs which brought terror to London and for which a 22-year-old right wing extremist was later jailed for life.
But back in Lancashire, before any of the above happened, there were 15,337 fans at Deepdale to watch the Preston-Blackpool derby.
It was a big game for both clubs, especially Preston, who were striving to win a play-off place. Blackpool, well, they were mid-table. But it was a derby so there was pride and bragging rights at stake.
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What occurred was a classic encounter, Adam Nowland giving the Seasiders the lead on the stroke of half-time before Kurt Nogan drew North End level on the hour.
It was tense after that, both teams fancying their chances. Then, in the final seconds, Brett Ormerod headed a goal and celebrated with a forward flip that will forever be etched on the minds of those Tangerine supporters present.
The ball hit the net to secure a famous victory for Pool in the backyard of their fiercest rivals.
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Last minute winner in a derby? Even a chip from the penalty spot doesn't beat that.
That goal made Ormerod an instant Blackpool hero, a status he cemented over the next three-and-a-half years as he plundered many more goals for the club and successfully made the switch from factory worker to full-time footballing star.
When the likeable Northerner finally departed Bloomfield Road for Southampton and the Premier League in December 2001, not many would have predicted that Ormerod would again be lining up for the Seasiders, in a derby against North End, in 2009.
But there's no industry quite as unpredictable as football.
Ormerod is indeed back at Blackpool and almost 10 years to the day since that most dramatic of derbies at Deepdale, there is nothing he would love more than to do the same at the weekend.
"It's a big game, there is no getting away from that," said Ormerod.
"It is about getting bragging rights and everything that goes with playing Preston.
"It has always been a fantastic game to play in and I vividly remember those that I've played in ... especially that one at Deepdale.
"It will make for a very good game and to say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement really."
Such was the delight at that famous victory over the Lilywhites, a canny Blackpool fan, who would probably go a long way on The Apprentice, printed a load of T-shirts with the words 'Ormerod 89' – a nod to the last minute winner – emblazoned on the back.
"Yeah I remember that," recalls Ormerod. "Hopefully they can get a new one done after this derby game"
"That really would be lovely, though it's more about getting the points.
"It is always nice to win derby games because of bragging rights and if we win it will give the fans something extra to cheer.
"But if you ask the players they'd rather win it for three points first, to make sure we get safe, and bragging rights second."
Saturday's showdown also means that little more to Ormerod for another reason.
After Southampton, the 32-year-old striker went on to join North End, via loan spells at Leeds and Wigan.
He arrived at Deepdale in January 2006 and remained there three years.
Ormerod had mixed fortunes, doing well before breaking his leg in a play-off semi-final against Leeds.
After that, though, he was largely on the sidelines, especially during the first six frustrating months of this season.
In the end it was a relief to get out and join Pool.
But asked if he had anything to prove to North End, Ormerod says not, though it's clear he feels he didn't get the opportunity he deserved.
"I don't think I've anything to prove to anyone. I am 32 now. I have managed to score goals in every league in English football," he said.
"I just felt I didn't really get a chance this season, that's the only thing that maybe I can complain about.
"But that's the past. I am more bothered about trying to win football matches with Blackpool than trying to prove something personal.
"I feel I'm at that age and I've done enough in my career to be satisfied.
"The only person I want to prove anything to is myself and on Saturday it will be about getting points for Blackpool rather than anything against Preston."
Ormerod should start the game after catching the eye against Plymouth.
He feels at home now he's returned to Bloomfield Road and there's no doubt he's enjoying life.
"I'm loving every minute and that is testimony to the lads. Obviously it helps that it is familiar surroundings but it's going well," he said.
"The Plymouth game was a big disappointment but we are still in a good position.
"You can never say never when it comes to a points total for safety. We have still got a lot of hard games coming up.
"But we still have a few of the bottom teams to play so they are big games.
"We take every game as it comes and try to get the points whenever we play.
"Hopefully we'll get three on Saturday."
Not many Pool fans would disagree with that.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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