'One of the best' - Ex-Leyton Orient and Hibernian defender shares what made Blackpool FC promotion group special

Former Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta states the club’s rich history in the EFL play-offs provided an additional boost for the promotion-winning squad of 2021.

The defender, who is now with MK Dons, was part of the most recent Seasiders’ squad to enjoy success at Wembley.

Following five previous play-off wins across the EFL, Neil Critchley’s then-side made it six with a 2-1 victory over Lincoln City.

Only CJ Hamilton remains at Bloomfield Road from that time following James Husband’s recent departure, with Ekpiteta joining Hibernian as a free agent back in 2024.

While the 30-year-old has just enjoyed automatic promotion from League Two at Stadium MK, the success he enjoyed in Tangerine still stands out.

“It was a really special group - one of the best changing rooms I’ve ever been a part of,” he said.

“I still talk to a lot of the boys quite often, we were really close. What helped us was, we were roughly around the same level and all quite hungry - looking to prove ourselves.

“All we had was football at that point (because of the Covid-19 pandemic) so that made us closer, and we spoke more outside of football.

“When I signed initially, I didn’t think pushing for promotion was the plan. The manager (Neil Critchley) didn’t sell that to me, because it was his first job as well so he probably wasn’t 100 percent sure himself.

“When I went into the building, the talk in the group was the aim of getting promoted and trying to challenge. I wanted to be part of a team that was looking up.

“I was told about the club’s history in the play-offs leading up to the semis - and I thought: ‘That’s a mad stat.’

“It gave us that extra one percent, and was a boost. It might put other teams down slightly as well, knowing that we’ve got that history.”

Ekpiteta, who made the move to the Fylde Coast from Leyton Orient in 2020, only featured once in Blackpool’s successful play-off run, coming off the bench against Oxford United in the second semi-final leg at Bloomfield Road - which took place on this day (May 21) five years ago.

“I got injured so I didn’t play much towards the end of the season,” he noted.

“It was nice to come and be part of the play-off push, and get some minutes. Everyone was happy and in such a good mood. I think that was my oldest daughter’s first time watching me, so it was a nice moment to have - it was perfect.”

Just over a week later, Ekpiteta was an unused substitute in the final at Wembley, which he admits brought its own unique set of emotions as he watched Kenny Dougall bag a winning brace.

“I was delighted for him to get the double because he doesn’t score much,” the defender added.

“He’s a player that you don’t appreciate until you actually play with him - when you see his qualities and how much he actually does for the team. He’s doing really well now out in Thailand and winning trophies for fun.

“We were a young group that was hungry, with a manager in his first job as well. I was excited to get into the Championship, so it was nice to get over the line at Wembley with some fans and family there.

“It was quite hard being on the bench because you’re just praying that the boys can get over the line. I wanted to come on to see the game out, but it didn’t happen. As a player you’re naturally competitive, and you want to be involved, but then you’re just happy to celebrate with the boys.”

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