'You’ve got to adapt:' Ex-Blackpool midfielder makes admission as he reflects on the highs and the lows of his Seasiders experience

The 35-year-old experienced the back end of the Oyston ownership, at a time where Seasiders fans boycotted games in protest, but was also there when the supporters returned following Simon Sadler’s takeover.

In 120 appearances in Tangerine between 2017 and 2020, the Liverpool youth product scored eight goals and provided eight assists, as well as wearing the armband.

Spearing rejoined the Reds a couple of years ago to take up a role as a player-coach with the club’s academy teams.

On Wednesday night, he returned to Bloomfield Road for the second time in two seasons with Liverpool’s U21s in the EFL Trophy, and was given a round of applause after being subbed off in the second half.

Prior to the game, he reflected on his three years with Blackpool, stating: “It was incredible, it was an absolute honour to be asked, with the history Blackpool has and the captains they’ve had before.

“I enjoyed every single minute of it, I had a fantastic time there. I loved the club and the town. 

“The big moment I’ll always remember is the homecoming with the fans, when the old owners left and Simon (Sadler) stepped in. It was an unbelievable occasion, and a privileged time to lead the lads out in a game like that.

“I’ll always remember getting out of the car and you could hear the fans chanting on their way to the ground. 

“It was a strange feeling because we hadn’t been used to it for a very long time. It was like a bit of a party throughout the game, it was unbelievable for the club. 

“I experienced a year of difficult times on and off the field, and you could understand exactly why the fans were frustrated. 

“There wasn’t a lot we could control as players, we had to concentrate on the football. The training ground had two goals, a pitch and a bag of balls, so we just got on with it. 

“Thankfully Simon stepped in, bought the club and brought it forward.

“I wouldn’t change any of it. Those experiences make you, and you’ve got to adapt. At the end of the day the only thing you’ve got to focus on is your football, and be happy that you’re playing. I’m very lucky that my job is being a footballer, so that’s what I concentrated on.

“My time at Blackpool is my time at Blackpool. I look back at it with incredible memories, we had a fantastic group of lads off the field who kept everything going. 

“We did everything we could for the fans to show the love we had for the club on the field.”

Spearing’s time on the Fylde Coast came to an end after he was unable to agree a new deal with the Seasiders, with the ex-Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers man adding Tranmere Rovers to his CV before making a return to Liverpool in his current role.

“Sadly Covid hit and a lot of things changed,” he stated.

“It was a difficult time for everyone in any walk of life. The club needed to make changes and cut back on certain things, and the decision was made that it was maybe time for me to move on. 

“I don’t hold any hard feelings against the club. I had a great relationship with Simon and the manager.

“It was just time for me to move on. We shook hands, and I joined Tranmere.”