Twenty-five grassroots clubs will team up with Blackpool FC players this season
Ian Evatt’s Blackpool players will head out into the community as the ‘Tangerine Teammates’ draw takes place again.
Blackpool FC’s players will meet the Fylde coast’s younger footballers following confirmation of this season’s ‘Tangerine Teammates’ scheme.
Grassroots clubs across the area have been paired up with members of the Seasiders’ first-team squad.
In conjunction with Blackpool FC Community Trust, the initiative gives the opportunity for young players to meet and engage with some of Ian Evatt’s team.
As part of the Tangerine Teammates programme, all clubs involved will become the team of the day for a designated league fixture at Bloomfield Road.
It will provide young players with their chance to meet the first-team squad, be flag bearers for the day and take part in a half-time lap of honour.
Twenty-five clubs took their place in last Friday’s draw with the player allocation as follows:
George Elder and Oluchi Nwankwo: St Annes FC
Luke Southwood and Charlie Brier: FY Futsal
Olly Casey: FC Rangers
Dale Taylor: Blackpool FC Ladies and Girls
Jordan Brown: Lytham St Annes YMCA
Theo Upton and Oli Hunter: Foxhall FC
Ilmari Niskanen: Wyre Juniors FC
Karoy Anderson: BJFF
George Honeyman: Layton Juniors FC
Finley Munroe: Thornton Cleveleys
Jerry Yates: Poulton FC
Josh Bowler: Poulton Town
Michael Ihiekwe: Staining Juniors FC
Bailey Peacock-Farrell: Spirit of Youth FC
Jordan Williams: Clifton Rangers FC
Albie Morgan: Fylde Coast Soccer FC
Hayden Coulson: Blackpool Wren Rovers FC
Tom Bloxham and Zac Ashworth: West Coast Sports FC
Niall Ennis: Kirkham Juniors FC
Josh Earl: Lytham Juniors FC
Dion Charles: South Shore FC
CJ Hamilton: Freckleton
Fraser Horsfall: CN Sports FC
Andy Lyons: Squires Gate
Leighton Clarkson: Polish FC
The programme was launched in February 2022, when Blackpool described it as ‘an ideal opportunity for budding young footballers to engage with and learn from the Seasiders’ professionals, whether that be via a virtual Q&A session, attendance at training, or with a good luck message of support ahead of matches.’
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Maddie Critchley, Blackpool’s fan engagement officer, said: “We’re delighted to continue the Tangerine Teammates initiative into the 2026/27 season.
“Now we’ve got our teams confirmed for the players, we’re really excited to see the club and the community come together once again.
“This initiative has been a real success so far, and it’s been great to see the local teams in the area benefiting from it.”
Blackpool FC Community Trust will liaise with all clubs in the coming weeks and months to organise this.