Blackpool boss makes feelings clear on out of contract figure following stunning strike
CJ Hamilton is among several out of contract players at Blackpool.
Ian Evatt has admitted he’s keen to keep hold of CJ Hamilton as the wing-back approaches the conclusion of his Blackpool contract.
The 31-year-old was on hand with a stunning strike to help the Seasiders end the 2025/26 campaign with a 1-0 win away to Reading, and has captained the club throughout the final weeks of the season.
Like a number of players at Bloomfield Road, the news of Hamilton’s future will be confirmed when the Fylde Coast outfit’s retained list is released in the next few weeks.
The wide player has been on the Fylde Coast since 2020, and has featured 231 times in Tangerine in total.
“I’m so proud of CJ - I’m guessing a few eyebrows were raised when I named him captain, but people don’t see his personality, he’s a fantastic lad, he’s so infectious,” Evatt said.
“He’s a brilliant teammate. He’s tactically and astute - which he probably doesn’t get the credit for. He deserves that goal and I’m proud of him.
“He won’t be out of contract very long. I’m not going to give too much away, there’s lots of conversations that need to happen, but all I’ll say about CJ - everyone will want his tools in their squad. He has incredible attributes.
“Like all players, there’s positives and negatives, but I’d much rather have a CJ Hamilton in our squad than not, and that’s how I feel about him. He’s been brilliant for us and brilliant for me.”
Hamilton’s impressive finish at the Select Car Leasing Stadium came just a day after Dale Taylor won Blackpool’s goal of the season prize.
The 22-year-old was on hand with the finishing touch to round off a good team move away to Wigan Athletic just before Christmas.
“They’re different goals,” Evatt added.
“I appreciated the one today because it’s a moment of magic, but obviously the team goal is something we work on in training, so you get a reward from that as a coach.
“They’re different goals, but both brilliant in their own right. CJ is a really good finisher, which is something people don’t give him credit for. I see him finishing in training, and he’s actually really good, so I’m delighted for him.
“He’s been a brilliant servant to this football club. Everyone has their own opinion, but he genuinely cares and wants to do really well for this club. He’s got a skillset that most teams would want.
“He knows what this club should be and stand for. Continuity is always important. I want players in the building who are additive to us, and CJ is additive - he’s not here because of the history, he’s here because I believe he can affect things moving forwards. Today he’s shown that.
“As someone who’s coached against him and speaks to other coaches, everyone’s got to plan for that speed and what he can offer. I’d rather have him with us or against us.”
Elsewhere in the Seasiders squad, James Husband is another long-serving player who is out of contract this summer, but does hold a one-year option that can be activated.
“Because I’ve given the game away with CJ, I’m not going to go through individuals and start saying X, Y and Z,” Evatt responded.
“Hubby has been a fantastic servant to this football club. He’s been brilliant for me since I’ve come in. He’s had some adversity with the sending offs and suspensions.
“We need to have some conversations behind-the-scenes, so you’ll get the answer pretty quickly.”
Your next story from the Gazette: Former Blackpool favourite opens up on special connection, being brave, and 'painful' departure.