Boycotting games became second nature for Blackpool FC fans, but how are they coping with the current lockdown of English football?

Until recently, the vast majority of the club’s fanbase took part in a self-imposed boycott for four years in protest against the despised former owners, the Oyston family.

Many Pool fans found other things to do to fill the void, be it watching another local side, spending Saturday’s in the supermarket or getting some long-overdue house chores done.

But with boyhood fan Simon Sadler now at the helm, supporters have flocked back to Bloomfield Road in their droves this term.

Despite a mixed season on the pitch, the Seasiders have averaged crowds of just under 9,000, almost a three-time increase on the attendances when the boycott was being adhered to (and that’s if you ever believed the official figures!).

Have Blackpool fans caught the bug again (ignore the pun)? And if so, how are they dealing with this current lockdown?

Christine Seddon was a leading figure in Blackpool’s boycott, often finding herself as the nominated spokesperson for the Blackpool Supporters’ Trust (BST).

Now chair, Christine continues to fight the good fight, lobbying for change in football governance being her main mantra after Blackpool fans were let down by the EFL and the FA for so long.

But now, on a Saturday afternoon, Christine is able to step back inside Bloomfield Road and watch her beloved Seasiders, rather than leafleting outside the main reception as she had been doing for the past four years - whatever the weather.

Christine, who now works at the club hotel, told The Gazette: “This is very different to the boycott.

“Last time we were missing watching our own team but you still kept an eye on it and the rest of football was still going on.

“Of course we had all the political activity going on around the boycott as well that took a lot of our attention and gave us something to focus on.

“As a Trust we were still going to the home games, it was just that we were standing outside, not inside, and still engaging with fans.

“You still felt like you were connected to the world of football even though we weren’t physically watching our team.

“This, on the other hand, is just weird. It’s particularly upsetting for us because we’ve only had our club back for 12 months and we’ve only had Simon Sadler as owner for nine months.

“So much progress was being made and we were just at that stage, after all the turmoil, of becoming excited about the future with a popular new manager.

“Suddenly *bumf*, that’s it, it’s all gone and there is nothing to replace it with.”

While there was a feeling of hopelessness during the boycott, at a time when the Oystons appeared determined to own the club out of spite more than anything else, Christine believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Although there isn’t an end date as such, it’s not as open ended as the situation with the Oystons was,” she added.

“We just have to keep cheerful, keep going and we’ll get there in the end.

“I just hope that, because people will be so starved of any type of sport, particularly football, that they’ll come flocking back in big numbers because they’ll all be so excited.

“Then we’ll be able to say ‘this time we’re back and we’re here to stay, no interruptions’.”

Tim Fielding, BST’s first chair, was another leading light in Pool fans’ struggle.

He was sued for defamation by the Oystons for posts he made on a fans’ message board (allegations that incidentally turned out to be proven correct in the High Court).

Now BST’s honorary vice-president, Fielding was given a role on Blackpool’s interim board last year after the receivers were brought in prior to Sadler’s takeover.

Fielding now has no official involvement in the day-to-day running of the club, affording him the luxury of what he campaigned for for so long; being able to watch his football team again.

“It’s been quite surreal the fact that all football has been suspended,” Fielding told The Gazette.

“When you go home when you’d normally flick on the TV and see what was on, going on BT Sport or Sky, now there’s just no point.

“All you do is switch on the news and wait for the latest update from the Prime Minister.

“I’ll be honest, since it happened, I haven’t thought too much about football.

“I usually take part in a Blackpool podcast and we keep meaning to do it, but what’s the point right now? There’s so little to talk about at the minute.

“Before the suspension we had just seen a new manager come in and there was a lot of interest and intrigue.

“We also had a massive game against Sunderland in the offing which was pulled at the last minute.

“There was also the trip to Shrewsbury Town to look forward to as a load of coaches had already been booked, hoping for a good day out.

“Since then, it all seems a bit pointless set against all this."

He added: “Managing my business, it’s probably been the most challenging two weeks so far of my 30 years as a lawyer, so I’ve not really had much chance to even think about football.

"Some people are in lockdown but I’m not. I’ve been leaving the house at 6.30am and getting back home at 9pm or 10pm or coming home and working until midnight.

“We’re getting through it, but there’s been that many things to do I’ve genuinely not thought once about Blackpool in the last two weeks.

“It’s just been all-consuming, but hopefully we all come through it and come through it safely.”

Blackpool’s league position, safe in mid-table with no realistic chance of catching those in the top six, means there isn’t a whole lot to play for in the final nine games of the season - whenever they’re played.

That, according to some, means there isn’t a greater urgency to get back as there might be for fans of other clubs.

“It’s way down my list of concerns. I never thought I’d ever think that though,” one Pool fan said on Twitter.

“It’s probably easier for clubs like us, our season is over anyway.”

Another Seasider added: “Surprisingly not missing it as much as I thought I would.

“I feel if we were playing for something in the league it would be different but I’m just looking forward to the start of next season.”

Tangerine Chris wrote: “The boycott felt like we were helpless and being ignored as the rest of the world carried on as normal, yet we couldn't.

“Now all clubs are impacted, so it’s much easier.”

There were, however, many supporters who expressed their frustration at not being able to watch their side.

Chris Williams said: “It’s awful what’s going on around the world at the moment, but I don’t think I’ve ever missed football and Blackpool so much.

“I’ve found myself watching all the past finals, the 2001 Division Three play-off final, both the 2002 and 2004 LDV Vans Trophy finals.”

Kelly Anderson added: “It’s a different feeling from the boycott. Now that we’ve been able to go back and we now physically can’t, is frustrating. But all for a reason.”

“I always thought football was a matter of life and death. Now I realise I was wrong,” another Blackpool fan penned.

Never has a truer word been spoken...