Blackpool figure shares contract stance amid big summer decisions to come
A number of Blackpool players are out of contract at the end of the season.
Blackpool Sporting Director David Downes states the club are in continued dialogue with their out of contract players.
There’ll be several big decisions for the club to make this summer amid the disappointment of finding themselves in a League One relegation battle so far this season.
Top scorer Ashley Fletcher is among those who is coming to the conclusion of his current terms, but a one-year option is available on the striker - who has previously expressed his love of the club.
It’s the same situation for James Husband, Andy Lyons, Olly Casey and Albie Morgan, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell and CJ Hamilton will need to be offered fresh contracts if they are to remain.
Discussing the situation, Downes said: “To be fair, a few of them have option years, so we’re protected contractually. I’m based at the training ground every day and I see the players every day. I talk to their agents most weeks, so we’re always in continued dialogue about what the future holds for us all.
“Ashley Fletcher has been in the press recently saying we’ve been talking.
“There’s work to do on the pitch first-and-foremost, but you’re constantly planning for all eventualities and all events.
“It’s not a thing where nobody does anything until the end of the season; we’re all talking and we’re all working together to solve those futures - whether they’re going to stay here or go and play somewhere else.
“We’re always in constant discussion about that and where their heads are at. It’s always open dialogue and planning for everything.”
January transfer window reflection
Throughout the last transfer window, Blackpool mainly added players on loan to boost their options in the short-term.
In the cases of Kamarl Grant and Michael Obafemi this was short-lived, with the pair picking up season-ending injuries.
This leaves Reuell Walters and Karoy Anderson, alongside permanent Deadline Day signing Leighton Clarkson.
“January is a difficult window to navigate through,” Downes added.
“If you speak to most managers across the country, they’ll all say exactly the same thing.
“We’re all incumbent on people who are higher above and when they are releasing players.
“If a loan player comes in and does quite well, there’s always a thing where you would like to bring them back because you know them.
“January is a difficult window to sign longer-term. We signed Leighton Clarkson on a permanent deal, and that scenario was different come the turn of the year and towards the end of the window it changed, we thought it was a good opportunity to take a player into next season.
“We didn’t hesitate to take it, but if there’s an opportunity to do something for the longer-term, we’ll always do it. Simon’s always prepared to back that, putting his money in for us to secure those players.”
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