Why ex-Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday man should follow example of Blackpool FC teammate to avert footballing risk

Opinion: Ashley Fletcher should be quick to follow Bailey Peacock-Farrell in committing his future to Blackpool - if footballing reasons are his main priority.

The Northern Ireland international goalkeeper penned a one-year extension at Bloomfield Road last week, but the striker is still weighing up his future as he enters the final month of his contract.

Now, we’ll get this out of the way early - football is a short career, and you can’t begrudge players of League One level being swayed towards other opportunities if more money is on the table.

In any other job, you wouldn’t question someone taking a pay rise to secure their long-term future, but sport always feels different.

Obviously salary, bonuses and contract lengths is something between Fletcher, his agent, and any clubs he may be talking to; all we can comment on is the football side of things.

If it was down to matters on the pitch and nothing else, it’d be a risk for the forward to move elsewhere.

For so many years he had been written off after failing to find his feet at several clubs. A permanent move to Watford didn’t present the opportunities he would’ve hoped, while loan spells with both Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday seemingly left him down a cul-de-sac.

The story of his time with Blackpool is well documented. After a tough start in Tangerine, a conversation with Steve Bruce and a weekend off gave him the opportunity to reflect, and he’s not looked back since.

After producing solid numbers in the 2024/25 campaign, which saw him named as the club’s player of the season, he kicked on to another level under Ian Evatt last term.

From a player struggling with confidence to a striker bagging 21 goals in all competitions - the Seasiders have been more than good to Fletcher.

The 30-year-old has more than acknowledged that himself on several occasions, and has made it clear what the club means to him.

From that perspective, it’d be a risk for him to go anywhere else. Even though he’s established himself in League One, a change in environment doesn’t always work out.

In a footballing sense, it’d be a massive risk to roll the dice and try something new.

While the club as a whole has been good for Fletcher, his relationship with Evatt also seems to be strong. It feels as if there’s a lot to potentially throw away.

He’s a great person off the field, and no matter where he ends up, you can only wish him well. He’d head into any environment giving his all, but sometimes in football that isn’t always enough.

From a Blackpool point of view, it’d obviously be great if they could keep him. His goals throughout last season were crucial, and the attack would need little work heading into August if he remains.

If he were to depart, Niall Ennis has previously proven himself to be a top League One striker, Dale Taylor has a lot of potential, and Tom Bloxham has proven he can perform when required up front.

Another body would be needed, given last season’s injury record, but other options are already in the building.