Last week, Blackpool FC announced long-awaited plans for a 100-acre, seven-pitch new training facility on Garstang Road.
The club has exchanged contracts for the site, which will house both the first-team and the academy.
Once built, it will finally spell the end of the club’s current base Squires Gate, which hasn’t been fit for purpose for some time now.
Here, we take a look back at 12 times the training ground was a source of embarrassment for the club...
7. Forking out of his own pocket
In 2018, Gary Bowyer used his own money to pay for his Blackpool side to train in Fulwood, Preston. Due to the summer heat and a lack of water, the scorched pitches at Squires Gate were considered unusable as they were too hard. Photo: JPI Media
8. "I’ll do the work myself!"
In 2018, Terry McPhillips offered to carry out work at Squires Gate himself to bring his squad back from Preston. “The aim really is to get back to Squires Gate but it is just not good enough, simple as that,” he said. “I’ve just been there. It is not good enough unless I am going to go down there and do it myself! It is rather annoying I have to say. I’m disappointed and I will push again for something to happen there. It would be great to get back to Blackpool. That is where we are from, that is who we are and we are looking.” Photo: Daniel Martino
9. Having to train at local schools
Down the years, even under Neil Critchley, the Seasiders have had to train at local schools and 4G pitches during the bad weather as Squires Gate was unfit for purpose. Photo: Iain Lynn
10. The cause of injuries
It’s long been suggested that the poor playing surface at Squires Gate has been a major cause of injuries. The Gazette knows of one player who attributed a serious knee injury to the rock-solid training pitch during the summer. Photo: Paul Simpson
11. Having to change and shower elsewhere
With a lack of running water and appropriate facilities, players would have to meet and change at the Bloomfield Road stadium before travelling the 2.2 miles to Squires Gate to train. The squad would then often return to the stadium to shower and eat. Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth
12. Sticky situation
Former Pool boss Terry McPhillips once revealed a portaloo at the training ground fell on Mark Cullen’s car. “The Portaloo doesn't even work,” McPhillips said. “But it fell onto Mark Cullen's car last season. Players were being addressed after training and they're all laughing. You look behind and the Portaloo has toppled on Mark's car. Barely anyone used it anyway.” Photo: CameraSport - Rachel Holborn