Bowyer 'privileged' to honour Blackpool great Armfield

Following heavy rainfall on Friday night, referee Carl Boyeson carried out two inspections on the Bloomfield Road surface and deemed it unplayable just after 2pm.

But the tributes inside the ground went ahead as planned, manager Bowyer joining his Charlton counterpart Karl Robinson in laying a wreath in front of the Armfield Stand.

Bowyer had earlier joined supporters at Armfield’s statue outside the ground, where he also laid a wreath and joined in with the minute’s applause.

He told The Gazette: “There was huge emotion. Jimmy was an unbelievable man and to be involved in that was a huge privilege.

“To be the manager on this day is a great honour. I’m very fortunate to be able to say I met the great Jimmy Armfield.”

The tributes inside the ground were thrown into doubt when the game was called off less than an hour before kick- off.

Club officials liaised with police as well as Armfield’s family and decided to go ahead as planned.

Bowyer added: “It was important we spoke to Jimmy’s family and they wanted to carry on. Everyone then acted accordingly and we were able to go to the statue at 2.30pm.

“Then we went through the process as arranged and I’m glad we were able to do that.

“There’s just huge pride at how people have conducted themselves and it’s fitting that we gave Jimmy that send-off.”

Charlton Athletic boss Robinson suggested the game could have kicked off at 4pm or 5pm, giving the pitch more time to dry out. He even said Charlton were prepared to stay in Blackpool overnight and play the game yesterday.

Bowyer said a delayed kick-off would have been difficult to organise.

He said: “I could agree to an extent but how long do you allow for? Then you’ve got to take into account people travelling, so it’s a very difficult one.”