Bowyer's praise for Blackpool defensive duo

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Tilt was voted The Gazette’s player of the season after amassing more than 34 per cent of the public vote, while also claiming the Blackpool Supporters’ Association and Radio Wave gongs for good measure.

His defensive partner Robertson was also recognised by picking up the club’s player of the season vote to claim the John Schofield Memorial Trophy.

Bowyer joked: “We were an attacking force this year, weren’t we?

“But no, in all seriousness, the lads that got the awards were fully deserving of them.

“Clark has grown so much ever since I arrived. That’s as a player and as a person as well.

“You see how he handles the media side of it and what he’s like on the pitch from a talking point of view, he’s really grown as a player on that front.

“His performances have been fantastic and I think he’s one of the best ball-playing centre halves in the league.

“He’s got a fantastic left foot and he’s added goals which is always important for a defender to contribute from set plays.

“The sky is the limit for him and he can go as high as he wants to and he’s got to keep making the improvements he’s been showing these last two years.

“I know he’s got ambitions to try and break into the Scottish squad and you’ve got to applaud those ambitions.

“He’s set his sights high but he’s got something to work towards, he’s got purpose every day to come in and achieve that.

“Tilty? What do you say about him? What a story, from coming in from non-league to making his debut at Bradford. I said at the time if you look back, it was a wonderful debut from him.

“I sent my dad to watch him and my dad is probably the toughest person to please in terms of a player.

“He said to me: ‘You’re not going to believe what I’m going to tell you’, before going on to pay him an unbelievable compliment by saying he reminded him of Des Walker.

“Don’t get carried away, he just meant the way he played, the way he defended and how he was. He just reminded him of Des Walker.

“So as soon as I heard that, I was like ‘wow’. That was it.

“For him to come in and perform the way he has is exceptional.

“The two of them, Tilty and Clark, have built a hell of a relationship and in my opinion they were worthy winners.”