What I would actually like to support as a Blackpool fan is a Championship club with a future and a conscience.
One that values its fans and seeks to provide enough seats for them all rather than whack up the prices to reduce demand. One with a decent stadium fitting for the level of football, or any level of professional football. Primarily, one run by people with a conscience.
The separation of the football club from the Oyston family is something that the majority of Pool fans crave, more and more, I believe.
Some fans believe there is no alternative. Or that the alternative would lead to instability and a fall from our current position.
I believe the Oyston family is holding the club back. Freed from their shackles, the club would be in a position to attract fans who are utterly disillusioned with the ownership and its methods, many of whom have felt so for years.
Crowds would rise in fact, a new optimism would emerge, prices would be set at a reasonable level, and we would no longer be hamstrung by the owners' inability to build anything, maintain anything, or talk about the future aims and objectives, of which there appear to be none other than solvency.
The stadium we have is not something to treasure. It is a scary prospect, but so is the alternative of it remaining under Oyston control. Better the devil you know? I don't think so.
The devil we know is cynical, is exploiting the fans, and is not investing in the club. We should not wait for the club to fall back to where it has been for so long, now is the time for the club to move forward.
The Oystons have no plans to move the club forward. There is a potential fanbase out there at least double the current level; we can match the likes of Burnley at least, and yet it is about to drop, as a result of decisions on prices and stadium development.
Is there a credible alternative? We will never know while they own the club because they have created a situation that keeps investors away.
They will not relinquish control of any of the assets, and have put an inflated price on the club whenever the situation has arisen.
And who would want the Oyston family as landlords? Nobody. They drove David Haythornthwaite away because he dared to say he would only take the club on if they were not involved. And because part of the deal was for them to take some of the land, at a price.
Blackpool FC compares badly with similar clubs on all sorts of fronts. They have made a catalogue of promises they have not kept. They promised a south stand last summer while season tickets were on sale. Then reversed the decision. Now it's payback time. Massive price increases. We all know what that means. We should not put up with it. It will only carry on. We should draw the line now.
It's a risk worth taking. A professionally run club with a proper stadium would boost the image of the town, which currently is damaged by the image of the club.
Everyone would feel ten times better, and energy and optimism create opportunity.
The Oystons will not let go easily, but we should not be so fatalistic as to believe they will never leave. We should actively encourage them to leave. The fans have the ability to embarrass them into leaving – by not buying tickets, and standing outside the ground on matchdays silently next season.
The media coverage would create a very difficult situation for the Oystons. It's the only language they understand. Short term damage. Long term gain.
To the Oyston family: It's our club. Please leave.
Phil Clifton, via email