Evatt wills Bowyer's men to victory '“ but would like a return to Bloomfield Road next season

Evatt is hugely popular on the Fylde coast, having spent seven years at Pool and playing a huge part in the club’s Premier League adventure in 2010.

Now playing for Chesterfield, who have been relegated to League Two, the 35-year-old says it would be nice to see some friendly faces next season.

He said: “For me it would be nice to play there next season but that’s not me wishing Blackpool to lose. It would just be nice to go back up there and play at Bloomfield Road.

“It was a special seven years I had at the club. I love the area and I still take my family up there over the summer to see old friends and to go on the beach, to go the Pleasure Beach or whatever else.

“So I still miss the place massively. It was a big part of my life.”

The defender, who has been a fierce critic of the club’s owners in the past, believes the achievement is all the more impressive when you consider what is happening off the field.

He added: “It’s obviously a big achievement considering where the club is at.

“There’s still a massive rift between the fans and the chairman and until that is sorted it’s going to be difficult for them.

“I’m not sure how many fans will go to Wembley because, quite rightly, they still feel very hard done by.

“It’s going to be tough for them but I wish them the best of luck and hope they can do it.

“I don’t see why they can’t do it. I think it’s quite an even game, a 50-50 tie. On a one-off occasion like this anything can happen.”

Evatt turned out at Wembley for a play-off final on three occasions at Blackpool, winning two of them.

The club’s record in the play-offs is unrivalled, something Evatt believes could work in the current squad’s favour.

He said: “There’s obviously a lot of esteem there because they keep getting to Wembley and keep doing ever so well.

“I’ve played at Wembley five times. It’s just one of those times where you have to treat it like a normal game.

“I know that’s difficult because it’s a massive stadium and a huge occasion, but once the whistle starts you tend to stop overthinking things and you just get into the game.

“It’s just important the lads concentrate on the football and not on the occasion.”