Blackpool claimed a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient to mathematically secure their safety in League One at the weekend.

Blackpool fans have played their part in helping their team to League One survival in the last few weeks.

Last month, it appeared as if the Seasiders were heading in just one direction, with relegation to the fourth tier looking like a realistic possibility.

Since then, things have drastically turned around at Bloomfield Road, and any fears feel like a distant nightmare.

Ian Evatt’s side secured their survival at the weekend, as they made it 19 points from their last eight games - which is the third best record in the division.

Home form has played a big part in, and you have to go back to February 14 and the 4-0 battering to Plymouth Argyle to find Blackpool’s last defeat in front of their own fans.

In the last few weeks in particular, the influence of the atmosphere has been clear to see, with big crowds turning out to help the team move away from this season’s tough times.

“We can’t achieve anything without them, so we need them to be who they are,” Evatt said.

“They’ve been there for me in my dark times and they’ve been there for the players - which means the world to me.

“I don’t expect anything less from them because it’s all I know. I know what they are and how they are, and how much they love this football club.

“I’m proud of them and I’m proud of the players. In the most difficult of circumstances, they’ve stepped up.

“Every other team around the bottom of this league have been putting points on the board, so we’ve needed to be on this amazing run; we’ve had no choice.

“Great credit to the players, in the most difficult of circumstances they’ve managed to do it.”

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