'Wow' and 'unbelievable' - What those involved in Blackpool's homecoming fixture said about the occasion
A big crowd is expected at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon for Blackpool’s homecoming anniversary fixture.
Blackpool will mark the recent anniversary of their homecoming fixture this weekend.
On March 9, 2019, Seasiders supporters ended their four-year period of boycott following the removal of the Oyston ownership, with Simon Sadler taking over the reins.
There was an attendance of 15,871 inside Bloomfield Road for a meeting with Southend United, as a late Taylor Moore own goal snatched an equaliser as the game finished in a 2-2 draw.
For their meeting with Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon, Blackpool have put a ticket offer in place to mark the occasion, with adult prices starting at £15 and U14s at £1.
The North Stand is a sell-out for the fixture, while the overall attendance is projected to be the biggest since the club’s relegation to League One in 2023.
In recent times, the Gazette have spoken to members of the Seasiders that featured in the Southend United game.
Here’s what some of them had to say about the homecoming fixture and their time in Tangerine:
Liam Feeney (speaking at last year’s Legends Game)
“When the changeover happened it was like: ‘wow, this is what I remember.’
“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.”
Jay Spearing (speaking earlier this month)
“Coming out to the warm-up to a near enough jam packed Bloomfield Road was a mad one to take in.
“We all half laughed to be honest, in a positive way, because we realised it was actually here. It sounds cliched, but we had to concentrate on the game.
“Being able to captain the side and walking them out in that moment was a proper honour and a privilege for me.
“It’s an unbelievable thing. I’ve still got the programme and the photos, it’ll be with me forever.
“I look back on with an unbelievable feeling of knowing I was a huge part of it. To be able to captain them at all was a privilege, but to be the captain who walked out the side on that day is even more special.
“My career is pretty much nearly done now, but when I look back in 10, 15, 20 years, it’ll be a day I’ll remember until I’m old.
“It’s up there with the occasion and why it was done - how long those fans had suffered with what was going on with the old regime. To get their club back and be bought by a Blackpool-born man, I can’t describe how good it was.
“The goal in the last minute and the pitch invasion was mad, it was a special day.”
Nathan Delfouneso (speaking at last year’s Legends Game)
“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.
“It’s great to see it back to where it was before. I know what it was like from when I first came here, and I know what it was like during the middle of my time here. Hopefully they’re in a great position.”
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