Neil Critchley: We all have to be patient a little longer for Blackpool fans to return

Neil Critchley says the backing of Blackpool’s fans will continue to be felt despite the disappointment that the Seasiders supporters must wait a little longer to return to Bloomfield Road.

Yesterday the government confirmed Lancashire will be placed in tier three – the tightest level of Covid-19 restrictions – after the national lockdown is lifted next week.

A review of the new tier system, which will be introduced on Wednesday, is scheduled for December 16.

It means Blackpool’s next three home games will be behind closed doors.

“It’s hugely disappointing,” Critchley said. “When you received the news last week (that the national lockdown would be ending) and the buzz of excitement it gave the staff and the players, you’re immediately looking at the fixture list and thinking about which game will be the first to be played in front of supporters. Now we get this news, which is disappointing.

“But we understand the decision – the health and safety of the people in this area is the most important thing.

“We just have to be patient. We’ve been patient for a long while now – if it takes an extra couple of weeks, then so be it unfortunately.”

It was confirmed this week that supporters would be permitted to return in tier one and tier two areas, with capacities of 4,000 and 2,000 respectively.

The Seasiders make the short trip to Highbury for the season’s first league meeting a week tomorrow, returning four days later for an EFL Trophy second round tie.

Shrewsbury, who Blackpool visit on December 29, have been placed in tier two, meaning 2,000 supporters will be permitted to attend that game.

Elite sport has continued behind closed doors during England’s four-week lockdown, but grassroots and amateur sport has been halted since November 5.

Blackpool hosted a successful test event earlier in the season, when 1,000 fans attended the 2-0 win against Swindon Town on September 19.

Critchley recalled: “It was an incredible day – it gave everyone such a lift.

“There were 1,000 in the ground but it felt like there were 10,000.

“The sun was out and we had a great day. The sooner those days return, the better for everybody.

“The most important people are the supporters, so for them to come back and support their team is massive.

“We know they’re with us, even if they’re not in terms of their physical presence. But we still know that they’re with us.

“As soon as we can share Bloomfield Road together again – safely – that will benefit everybody massively.”