Former Blackpool duo setting sights on place at Wembley ahead of weekend clashes
Former Blackpool pair Neil Danns and Bobby Grant are looking to book their place at Wembley.
A couple of former Blackpool players will be competing for a place at Wembley this weekend.
Neil Danns and Bobby Grant manage Southport and Marine respectively, and are both preparing FA Trophy semi-final ties on Saturday afternoon.
The Sandgrounders welcome Southend United to Haig Avenue, while The Mariners travel to Wealdstone, with both games kicking off at 3pm.
A victory for either would see them play at the national stadium on May 17.
Southport boss Danns is no stranger to Wembley, having experienced success there with Blackpool during his playing days.
After initially spending time on loan with the Seasiders in 2003, the 43-year-old returned to Bloomfield Road for another temporary stint in 2017, featuring a total of 31 times for the club.
It was during his second spell that success came his way in Tangerine, starting the 2-1 play-off final victory over Exeter City during Gary Bowyer’s time at the helm.
Danns’ first taste of coaching came as an interim manager at Macclesfield Town at the end of his playing career, before hanging up his boots completely with a role as part of Tranmere Rovers’ backroom staff.
The retired midfielder took over at Southport in the summer, with the club currently 14th in National League North.
Elsewhere, Marine head coach Grant was with Blackpool between 2013 and 2015 after making the move from Accrington Stanley, but only featured seven times in Tangerine, with loan spells with Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town coming in his final 18 months at Bloomfield Road.
The 35-year-old finished his playing career at Rossett Park after representing the Crosby outfit last season, before being appointed as manager in the summer.
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