Popular BBC pundit and ex-Liverpool figure shares why Blackpool holds a special place in his heart

BBC pundit Danny Murphy believes Blackpool’s Premier League side deserve great credit for how they approached the top tier of English football.

The Seasiders won promotion via the Championship play-offs back in 2010 under Ian Holloway - with that squad featuring countless club legends, including current head coach Ian Evatt.

Unfortunately the Tangerine dream only lasted one season, as the Fylde Coast outfit suffered relegation on 39 points.

Murphy, who has forged a successful media career since retiring and is currently proving popular at the current World Cup, was a Fulham player at the time of Blackpool’s year in the Prem, and admits he was impressed by what they brought to the table.

“We played them early away, and they actually should’ve beaten us - we got a 2-2 draw,” he said in an interview courtesy of BetWright.

“They were so refreshing. Charlie Adam was running the show, I was thinking - ‘who is this fella.’

“There was Brett Ormerod making his runs in behind. They were just on us, and we couldn’t get a minute. The atmosphere was incredible because it was early in the season, and the fans were buzzing.

“It was a great experience, I really enjoyed it. I think we thought we’d turn up there and just batter them, but it doesn’t always work that way.

“By the time we played at our place, teams had started to work them out, which can happen, so we gave them a bit more respect, and beat them 3-0.

“That team had some great players that went on to bigger and better things - (Ian) Holloway did an unbelievable job. They were really unlucky, they deserve great credit.”

Murphy’s memories of playing the Seasiders stem back a lot further than their days in the top flight.

The retired midfielder progressed through the ranks of Crewe Alexandra, before going on to spend time with the likes of Liverpool and Charlton Athletic, with those early days also seeing him visit Bloomfield Road.

“I had great memories of playing at Blackpool anyway, during my younger years,” he added.

“I scored some really good goals there when Big Sam (Allardyce) used to have Tony Ellis and Andy Preece up top, it was some side.

“It was a team you were scared of, but we went a couple of times and got good results - I scored one of my best Crewe goals there actually.

“Blackpool was also the first family holiday I had as a kid, so loads of good memories.”