Steve Thompson is a popular member of Ian Evatt’s backroom staff at Blackpool.

Ian Evatt is keen to keep continuity at Bloomfield Road - and is pleased with the balance of his Blackpool backroom staff.

Following his appointment as Seasiders head coach last summer, the 44-year-old brought former teammate Stephen Crainey with him, while fellow 2010 promotion winner Stephen Dobbie was already in position from the previous regime.

Heading into the back end of the season, Steve Thompson was brought back to Bloomfield Road in order to help in the battle against relegation.

The popular figure had previously served in several roles on the Fylde Coast, working under the likes of both Simon Grayson and Ian Holloway.

While his return to Blackpool was initially on a short-term deal until the end of the last campaign, Thompson was back at Squires Gate for the start of pre-season last week and is currently part of the staff out in Spain.

“Thommo has this club in his blood - he understands what it is and what it looks like,” Evatt said.

“He understands me very well, he’s a really good person for me to bounce stuff off and communicate with. He’s very experienced.

“Going back to the word continuity, we finished the season really strong, and Thommo was a part of that, along with the other coaches.

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“Dobbs (Stephen Dobbie) and Crains (Stephen Crainey) have been amazing for me since I’ve come in. Just because we finished the season so strongly, the process didn’t change. The process started from day one, and we believe in it.

“Everyone works hard to create wins for this football club every Saturday - we’re just a small part of that. I’m a small part of that, Dobbs is a small part of that, Thommo is, Crains is, but together we’re a very strong team.

“There’s no individual that wants all of the plaudits, there's a togetherness that is long lasting and has a lot of history.

“I love the people that we’ve got, even the lads you don’t necessarily hear about - they all work so hard to put the players in the right head space to play on a Saturday.

“That’s our job as staff, and then on a Saturday, the players have to go and perform.

“I’m really happy with what we’ve got and the balance of the staff. Hopefully we can attack this season now.”