'It didn't matter' - Blackpool legend reflects on career sweet spot with Hartlepool United double
Blackpool started their successful run in the third division play-offs on this day (May 13) in 2001.
Brett Ormerod states members of the 2001 Blackpool squad had become ‘unplayable’ on the club’s run to promotion.
This month marks 25 years since the Seasiders’ third division play-off success - in which the forward played a crucial role.
After clinching seventh spot, Steve McMahon’s side took on Hartlepool United over two legs.
The first meeting between the two, ended in a 2-0 victory to Blackpool - courtesy of a second half brace from Ormerod.
A few days later, the 49-year-old was at the double once again in a 3-1 win at Victoria Park.
This set up a final against Leyton Orient at the Millennium Stadium, in which the Seasiders came from behind twice to overcome the East London outfit 4-2 - with Ormerod getting on the scoresheet once again.
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The Blackpool legend admits the squad at that time had hit a sweet spot entering the play-offs, and had confidence in their own ability.
“By then, I was on fire and full of confidence - I pretty much thought I’d score in every game,” he said.
“It didn’t matter what they did, if they had scored three, then we would’ve scored four. We were in the zone.
“We had a lot of good strikers in that league at that time, I think there was Bobby Zamora and Robert Earnshaw, but me and John Murphy were the best partnership, and we had Paul Simpson as well. We complimented each other so well.
“Funnily enough, Murph had been given the leading goalscorer award. He had 25 and I had 24, but then I scored four, so I cheekily asked him if I could have the trophy.
“Hartlepool had beaten us home and away, and had battered us early in the season, so they were massive favourites, but we were flying.
“It was one of the hottest days at Bloomfield. I ran in behind Parky (Gary Parkinson), and had a shot with my left foot - it wasn’t the strongest, but it snuck in past Anthony Williams, who was an apprentice with me at Blackburn.
“For the second, I was one on one, and I cheekily flicked it around the corner.
“We knew they’d come at us at Hartlepool, but we were just in the ascendency. We had Richie Wellens - who was probably the best midfielder in the league at that time, he was on fire and unplayable at times. We had so many good players.”
A second Blackpool promotion in 2010
Ormerod would later go on to experience promotion to the Premier League during his second stint at Bloomfield Road, and was on target with the winning goal in 3-2 play-off final win over Cardiff City at Wembley.
“When I look back, it’s frightening how 2001 and 2010 mirrored each other,” he added.
“Both teams got into the play-offs via the last game of the season, both teams were the form sides in the league, both teams played opposition who had just missed out on promotion, and in the finals, we went behind both times.
“It really does mirror. We hit the ground running, full of confidence, and were in form at the right time.”
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