Turton takes heart from Blackpool's performances

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Despite finishing the campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Rotherham United, the Seasiders won four of their last six games to clinch a top-half finish.

That capped off a fine season for Gary Bowyer’s men, who were the bookies’ favourites for relegation back in August on the back of their promotion via the League Two play-offs.

Turton, who arrived on a free transfer from Crewe Alexandra last summer, says Pool’s strong end to the season has given him confidence for the future.

“At the start of the season, before we had even played a game, I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said.

“Then we played the first few games and we played really well, so I began to think we could do something.

“We are a good team but we obviously dipped in form during the middle part of the season.

“But we showed what we’re about in the last few games of the season.

“I think we’ve shown all season, even in the games we’ve lost, that we’re a good team.

“I think it’s only been individual mistakes that have cost us. It’s never been a team battering us.

“The results we’ve had in the last few weeks shows we can make a mark in this league. Hopefully we can carry that on to next season.”

Turton, who made 43 appearances this season, earned recognition for his displays by being voted players’ player of the year at the club’s end-of-season awards night.

That was deserved recognition for the 25-year-old, who arrived at Bloomfield Road on a two-year deal during the summer having previously made more than 170 appearances for Crewe Alexandra.

Turton will return to Gresty Road when Blackpool take on Crewe in a pre-season friendly this summer, with the game due to take place on Saturday, July 28.

The right-back is one of three former Crewe players now on Blackpool’s books, with Kelvin Mellor and Max Clayton also due to make a return to their old club.

Crewe boss David Artell is looking forward to the reunion while admitting he expects Blackpool to be a stern test.

“We have got a home game against Blackpool to look forward to,” he said.

“One thing for sure, it will be a good test for us. They are a league higher and have some very good players.

“They enjoyed a good season and with a bit of luck they could have made the play-offs.”