Familiar face returns to Blackpool coaching staff as young duo extend loan deals
Ian Evatt has boosted his Blackpool backroom staff ahead of the final ten games of the League One season.
Former Blackpool coach Steve Thompson has returned to Bloomfield Road after agreeing to form part of Ian Evatt’s backroom staff until the end of the season.
The 61-year-old will bring fond memories of a hugely successful spell with the Tangerines recent history after he helped the club secure promotion into the Championship with a League One play-off final win over Yeovil Town in 2007. Even better was to follow three years later when Ian Holloway guided Blackpool into the Premier League for the first time as they secured a dramatic 3-2 play-off final win against Cardiff City.
Thompson will now return to a very different Blackpool as they fight to preserve their League One status and Evatt has revealed the trust he has in the experienced coach played a key role in his decision to bring him back to Bloomfield Road for the final ten games of the campaign.
The Tangerines head coach told the club website: “Steve knows exactly what this football club is all about, and was really keen to come in and help in any way he can. I trust him implicitly, and know how much this football club means to him, particularly after the success we previously had here together. I’m really pleased to welcome him back and look forward to working with him again.”
Thompson added: “I’m really pleased to be back at such a wonderful football club and to be working with the manager and staff once again. I’ve had a number of opportunities that have come my way from various clubs recently, but none of them felt right. This club means a great deal to me and I’ll do all I can to help over the final ten games of the season.”
Young duo extend loan deals
Two Blackpool youngsters have been gaining invaluable senior experience during loan spells within non-league football in recent weeks - and the Tangerines have now confirmed their loan deals have been extended.
Highly-rated midfielder Theo Upton has impressed during the early games of his loan stint with Northern Premier League East promotion contenders Matlock Town and he will now spend the rest of the season with the Gladiators as they push for a place in the third tier of the non-league game. Upton’s academy team-mate Terry Bondo will also spend the rest of the campaign out on loan after his deal with National League North club King’s Lynn Town was also extended. The striker has scored three goals in six appearances for the Linnets and bagged the winning goal on his first appearance for his temporary employers as they saw off Radcliffe.