Cowdy's column: January sales proved a hectic time for the Seasiders

In his monthly column, Blackpool chief executive Alex Cowdy explains how transfers dominate the January agenda.
Blackpool chief executive Alex CowdyBlackpool chief executive Alex Cowdy
Blackpool chief executive Alex Cowdy

Our wishlist was to add players with pace across the front, creativity in the middle of the park and a centre-half to assist our current back line.

While we secured players in midfield and attack, it was felt we should only enter the market for a reinforcement at the back if one became available we felt would strengthen and add to what we have.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our first piece of business was to acquire Sebastien Turenne des Pres. Seb, who has a joint French and American passport, was previously at Real Salt Lake.

Various hurdles had to be cleared including obtaining international clearance which was required for him to play in England. Not the most straightforward of deals, with much of December and the Christmas period going back and forth between the FA, FIFA, USSF, MLS and the EFL.

Sanmi Odelusi has joined from Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

Sanmi had initially signed a season-long loan at Rochdale; in order to process this signing, talks took place between myself and Rochdale’s chief executive Russ Green, as well as Matt Jackson (head of football operations) and Chris Laird (club secretary) at Wigan, with Sanmi’s loan agreement with Rochdale subsequently being terminated.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rochdale themselves took Jack Redshaw on loan until the end of the season; a good opportunity for Jack to get some games under his belt.

Other loans in January included Macauley Wilson (AFC Fylde) and John Herron (Dunfermline Athletic) extending their stays until the end of the season, Henry Cameron and Luke Higham signing initial one-month loans at AFC Telford United and Michael Cain heading back to Leicester City.

Talks took place between Swindon Town and myself to take over the contract of former Seasider Nathan Delfouneso.

The last couple of days of the window were busy ones; Mark Yeates departed for Notts County and I was back on the phone to Wigan Athletic to complete the signing of Jordan Flores.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Radcliffe Borough striker Raul Correia impressed Gary enough to be offered a professional contract; Raul gives up his job working in banking and will need to acclimatise himself to full-time training.

The final day saw Gary receive a call from Michael Brown at Port Vale, asking to take Danny Pugh.

Neil Danns had become available on loan from Bury and I negotiated to bring Neil to Bloomfield Road.

Port Vale’s interest in Danny remained and he chose to accept their offer; Danny conducted himself absolutely impeccably during his time at the club and we all wish him nothing but the best.