New job for former Blackpool CEO Alex Cowdy

Cowdy was appointed CEO at Blackpool in June 2016 after initially joining as club secretary three months earlier

Shock as Blackpool FC announce departure of chief executive

He attended Blackpool’s fixture at Wigan Athletic last month, the same night as it was announced Sam had left his role, leading to speculation among fans that he was due to return.

He tweeted after the 2-0 win: “Three points and a clean sheet” alongside a tangerine emoji.

Cowdy pictured at Wembley for Blackpool's League Two play-off final triumph

Cowdy later told The Gazette he was “flattered” by the rumours.But he has now put the speculation to bed by making the move to the City Ground, where is listed among their staff directory as secretary.

Cowdy's departure was announced on the club's website less than an hour after the first team had drawn 0-0 with Bristol Rovers at Bloomfield Road, with the club confirming he had left his role with “immediate effect”.

The news came as a shock as Cowdy was present at Blackpool's fixture and was seen in the tunnel area post-match.

Cowdy released a statement via Twitter, but he didn’t comment on why he left the club and made no reference to the club's owners, the Oyston family.

The club moved swiftly to appoint Steve Edwards as their new secretary and he remains in the role.

Edwards, who currently works as a youth team administrator, had previously worked as secretary at Fleetwood Town for 11 years.