'Something about the place' - How former Blackpool figures have reflected on their Bloomfield Road days throughout 2025
A number of ex-players have reflected on their time with Blackpool throughout the past 12 months.
Throughout 2025 The Gazette has been fortunate enough to speak to a number of Blackpool figures about their time at Bloomfield Road.
From the Legends Game back in May to other various interviews - some great stories have been told about life on the Fylde Coast.
This ranges from those who enjoyed promotion with the Seasiders to those who wish their careers in Tangerine had gone a little bit better.
Here’s a look back at some of our favourite ex-player interviews:
David Vaughan
“Of all the teams I played in, the group at Blackpool is the one that keeps in touch.
“I don’t really speak to that many teammates from other teams, so it was quite a unique dressing room. A lot of the players lived in the area, so we all socialised away from football and our families had a lot in common. It was a special group.
“A few players had been there a little bit longer than me, and had seen the club progress. Once they saw what type of character you were, and that you worked hard, then they’d accept you. The characters all blended in really well.”
Keith Southern
“When Ollie came in, he sold us the dream in terms of his vision for the game and his identity. I remember the first meeting, he had his flipchart out, telling us what he wanted, and we were all thinking: ‘bloody hell, have you seen us play.’
“We weren’t overly sure that we could play the way that he had envisioned in his mind. His belief and his positivity was incredible, and we went with him.
“He tweaked things and wanted to play in a certain style, so it was new and refreshing. We won the first pre-season friendly 4-0 at Burscough, and it just sort of snowballed from there.
“He brought Charlie Adam back into the club, he brought DJ (Campbell) in, and we just worked and worked on how we wanted to play. He shifted that mindset and the culture of what was achievable because I think there had always been a ceiling.
“Blackpool were never meant to be a promotion-winning team from the Championship, it was all about staying up and regaining our Championship status. He changed the mentality and made us dream, and not many managers have the gift to do that.
“It was a wonderful experience. Momentum plays a big part - energy and the crowd comes with you. As the games get ticked off, you become less fearful of the opposition, and ultimately you find a way. It was a magical time.”
John Hills
“If we used to play games at Squires Gate, I’d go straight into the gym after, while everyone else was getting changed.
“Doing the extra work paid off. I didn’t want to be sub every week, and I wanted to be playing. The quick trajectory from doing it has always stuck with me, and I take it into every job I do now. You need to work harder than others to succeed.
“I started to get more chances through that. We had a game against Everton at Goodison in the FA Youth Cup, and I had a really good game, so they came to watch me a few times after that, and that’s when they put an offer in to sign me.
“Sam Allardyce was the manager at the time, and he pulled me in the office to tell me. I was a sort of a Blackpool fan, Blackpool through and through, and I had strong friends there, so I was a bit reluctant to leave, but it was a move I couldn’t turn down.
“I came back to Blackpool on loan under Nigel Worthington, and it was a chance for me to play in front of a crowd. I loved every minute of it.
“At the end of my loan, they offered to sign me back. It was quite a big decision, because I could’ve stayed with Everton, or I could’ve signed for Bradford. It was just the fact Blackpool was in my blood, and it was home for me as well.”
Jamie Milligan
“Blackpool were the team that I grew up watching and supported as a kid. I thought it was a good opportunity because I wanted to play. I did my homework on the squad, and it was a good squad.
“I used to go with my dad on the south paddock to watch the games, and we loved it. It was my first real football to watch. It was good to sign for the club.
“I loved my time there. Did it go as well as it could’ve? - Probably not. On the pitch it could’ve gone better. A few things went on that went against me, but I still loved every minute there.
“We go promoted and won the LDV twice while I was there, so I can’t complain really.
“Blackpool are renowned for doing well in the play-offs. I went to watch the Cardiff game at Wembley, and the West Ham game. It’s the club I support and have great memories for.”
Nathan Delfouneso
“I’ve said on numerous occasions how much this club means to me. I’ve put a lot of my energy, soul and body into this club, and it’s given me a lot back - especially with the support.
“I’m really grateful for my time here, and hopefully it’ll always be one of those where I look out to see how they’re doing.
“There must be something about the place because I just kept coming back. I still feel a connection to it whenever I’m close by or see it on TV. I’ll always back them, and it’s close to my heart.
“There were some good times, there were some low times, and then we swapped it around for some more good times - that’s just standard for a footballing journey. Not everything is always going to be completely smooth sailing.”
Keigan Parker
“It was probably the best time of my career. I played with some great players, and winning promotion at Wembley was a real highlight. When you come back, you feel valued - when you’re about the fans want to buy you a drink. There’s always a bit of nostalgia towards the team that got promoted.
“It’s the best supporter-base and passion from any of the clubs I’ve been at. It was a great team (in 2007). We won 10 games in a row, and we nearly got promoted automatically. We were in the bottom four around October-time, and it was a massive turnaround.
“We worked as a team dynamic, with a little bit of magic like Wes (Hoolahan) sprinkled in there.”
Rickie Lambert
“I loved it, I was one of the last YTS’ before the new apprenticeships came. I stayed in the digs just outside of the ground, it seems so long ago. It feels like a lifetime ago, but I loved it when I was here.
“Under Steve McMahon, I did month-to-month but then I got let go. It was amazing to have him as a coach because he was my dad’s hero, but obviously he’s the one that lets you go, so it obviously breaks your heart.
“I’ve still got nothing but respect for him, he’s a really good manager.
“At the time I was devastated to be let go, but the majority of people in football get told they’re not good enough, and it’s about coming back. Luckily I stayed in the game just about, and managed to get a career after.
“The first time I came across Steve after that was on Super Sunday, and I told him there were no hard feelings. He was probably right to make the decision, and in fact, I might not have been the player I was unless I’d got those knock backs.
“I wasn’t listening to what coaches like him were saying, so when you get those knock backs, it makes you step up. No one envisioned what was going to happen when I left Blackpool, I probably didn’t to be honest.
“There was a little bit of luck, and the right managers at the right time - it all clicked into gear.”
Alex Baptiste
“It’s a shame we have to get old, it was obviously the best years of my life. We had some special times.
“There’s a tinge of disappointment looking back in terms of we should’ve stayed up, and then we should’ve gone up. There was a bit left on the table, which still stings.
“It was still a special time for the club, and looking back on my own career I can say I played against the best, and held my own against the best.”
Liam Feeney
“That day against Southend was a crazy one. I’ve got really good memories, I remember how the club transformed in that moment.
“When a place like this is rocking, it’s intimidating for the opposition. As an away player it can feel like the ball is being sucked into the back of the net.
“I got to see the best of the club really, and I was gutted when I left. I really enjoyed my time here, the fans were great - I loved it here.
“They kicked on after that and got promotion a year or two later, so hopefully they can do it again and come back stronger to be in the mix.”
Claus Bech Jorgensen
“Simon Grayson signed a few players that had played in the Championship but were out of favour.
“They were a little bit older, like myself, I think I signed up here when I was 30. We felt like we had something to prove. It wasn’t a fancy place to go, it was about rolling our sleeves up.
“Having the right characters was a big thing, and they were also good footballers that had proved themselves at a higher level.
“Simon’s first job was to steady the ship. He was a young manager, and had Tony Parkes and Steve Thompson with him. He also had an experienced dressing room, which settled things a little big.
“To go from getting so many players in to getting promoted wasn’t expected, it was a good group.
“It would help any to have players you can rely on. Only 11 could play, and he’d have to deal with disappointed players, but they were all good characters, which helped him.”
Adrian Forbes
“It’s well documented that I had a real tough time there. The fans didn’t take to me in any way, shape or form. They couldn’t see anything that I brought to the table; although my teammates did.
“It’s disappointing because at Norwich, Luton and Swansea, I had that rapport with the fans, and they saw what I could do. For whatever reason, the Blackpool fans didn’t like the way I played, and vocalised it.
“They might think if you boo a player then they’ll play better, but it’s never going to work like that.
“It’s one of the biggest disappointments, because I was never recognised for my work rate for the team - I was viewed as someone who didn’t score goals. They didn’t didn’t see that my work off the ball allowed Wes (Hoolahan) to go and flourish.
“They had an opinion of me that wasn’t just, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. I don’t think they got to see the true Adrian Forbes, but at the end of the season we were promoted, so I must’ve done something right.”
Andy Butler
“I came on loan from Huddersfield which was the division below, so it was a surprise for me.
“I hadn’t played for a long time, and then Ian Holloway rang up. It was good times, the lads were brilliant. What a time for the club with promotion to the Premier League.
“It was a bit of a surprise. Obviously confidence breeds when you’re winning games and we had a great run at the back end of the season. I don’t think anyone expected promotion, but when you’ve got a group of players that will do anything for the manager then you’ve got half a chance, and they had belief in abundance.
“I only played seven times, but looking back I wasn’t ready to play games in that division. The squad was already sorted - Evo (Ian Evatt) and Alex Baptiste were already there, so the manager only brought me in because they both got sent off, but I still felt a part of it.”
Angel Martinez
“Espanyol was the team where I got my dream to play in La Liga, but Blackpool was very, very special.
“I moved far from home with my family, and discovered a new world. It was magical.
“At the beginning it wasn’t easy, but neighbours, my teammates and the people around the town helped me - there was a special connection.
“I didn’t speak any English at first, but I could feel the energy of the people and the love of the people - it’s why I made a big effort to learn the language quickly at the college.
“On the pitch, to play at Wembley in my first season, under Ian Holloway, was very special.
“I wasn’t the best player, I didn’t score too many goals, I never got a promotion or any trophies - but the connection was magical with the fans, the team - everything. It’s difficult to find why.”
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