Blackpool Supporters' Trust forecast perfect storm for Oystons

The Blackpool Supporters' Trust (BST) has reiterated its commitment to boycotting games at Bloomfield Road as they bid to create the 'perfect storm' against the Oyston family.
Blackpool Supporters' TrustBlackpool Supporters' Trust
Blackpool Supporters' Trust

At the Trust’s AGM, it was confirmed that members had voted in favour of the continued boycott of home games.

Members also voted in favour of continuing the Trust’s Not A Penny More (NAPM) policy and ethical boycott of goods and services supplied by the Oystons’ businesses.

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BST’s deputy chair Christine Seddon said: “Not A Penny More does what it says on the tin.

“I know we don’t like to see ourselves as customers but the only real power we have is to withdraw our custom. Hopefully long term that will have an effect.

“Our message has been clear: go to games if you wish, but if you do we encourage you not to buy items from the club shop or food or drink from within the stadium.

“From the general feedback we’ve had, people are committed to NAPM but we acknowledge it is ultimately down to people’s’ individual right to choose.”

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BST, which has been running for just over two years, continues to oppose the Oystons’ ownership of the club and ultimately aims for the supporters to take control.

In a separate vote, 72.4 per cent of members voted against BST meeting with the Fans’ Progress Group (FPG).

The FPG, the club’s ‘official’ supporters’ group, has received widespread criticism since its inception, especially from members of BST.

Seddon added: “Our purpose is part of a bigger picture. We are hoping to create the perfect storm.

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“The situation (for the owners) is becoming untenable and I’m sure we can all agree a line has been crossed in the last 12 months.

“I do not see how there can be a future for the club with them (the Oystons) at the helm. What they have done is unacceptable.

“We really are very powerful together, so let’s remember who the enemy is and push together.”

One of the ideas suggested at the meeting was to raise funds for Kidderminster Harriers to compensate the non-league club who face Blackpool in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday week.

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Kidderminster are entitled to a share of gate receipts but a low crowd is expected at Bloomfield Road.

BST also suggested a protest on the day as BBC cameras will be present.

Chairman Steve Rowland said: “If we can get more people outside the ground than in, it will send a real message.

Plans are also being put together for a joint-protest between Leyton Orient and Blackpool supporters ahead of the fixture between the clubs in London on November 19.

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It was also mooted that Blackpool fans could organise and take part in a protest with supporters of other clubs in the capital or at Football League headquarters in Preston.

Rowland added: “The Oystons must be losing money and this is an issue that is not going away.

“There are other clubs who are struggling with their owners but I can assure you we are trying to up the ante.

“I think we can see they are clearly rattled. They originally said they would not talk to us – now they are talking about us in statements and even saying we should police all Blackpool fans.”