Seaside Shout by Jon Carter

SEASIDESHOUT 2nd may 2015 v huddersfield town

WRITTEN BY THE FANS, FOR THE FANS

CONTENTS inside today’s issue

04 05 06 07

editor’s note A quick word from the Seaside Shout Team

fans forum What you, the fans think of the season

a chat with the chairman Steve Rowland gives his thoughts on taking up the role and the season

meet the board/ competition time Who’s who at the Trust? Don’t miss your chance to win!

providing justice FOR fans Find out more about the fan funded initiative

steve canavan Find out where the former Gazette sports writer thinks it all went so wrong

the best of twitter The best of your tweets, comments and favourites from @SeasideShout

a seaside shout Take a look back at the events of the 2014/15 season

politics & football A sit down chat with the man who is on the election trail to put Football First

history of the trust From SISA to BST, find out the history of the Trust

oyston’s cash cow Chris Walker gives his lowdown on BFC’s finances

terriers stat attack Take an in depth look at today’s opponents

watt’s going on? Gazette sports writer Will Watt speaks to us about what it’s been like reporting on a car crash season joining forces Take a look at Huddersfield Town’s Supporters’ Association

the fsf: a helping hand Find out what role the Football Supporters Federation had to play at BST the next 12 months What the future holds for Blackpool Supporters’ Trust

EDITOR’S NOTE Hi guys, and thanks for picking up the first edition of Seaside Shout, a fanzine by Blackpool fans, for Blackpool fans. My name is Jonathon Carter, and I am the Editor for the magazine. After the season we’ve had it’s no surprise where we’ve ended up in the league, or how many fans have reacted to the events both on and off the pitch. From players going AWOL, to the Club Secretary becoming the kitman for a game, to Joe Lewis wearing a signed shirt because there were no others available, this season started badly and frankly has only got worse. With the work that Blackpool Supporters’ Trust are doing, there is hope though. Inside today’s issue you will find out what the Trust has done, and what they are aiming to do in the future, as well as the past and present Gazette sports writers’ candid take on

Hi, I’m Beth Wilkinson, the graphic designer for Seaside Shout. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for choosing me as the lead designer for this edition. I hope you all enjoy the designs and content as much as I enjoyed putting them together.

where it all started to go pearshaped. Also, make sure to check out our feature on Andy Higgins, the Independent Blackpool South election candidate who is looking to put Football First, as well as what fellow Seasiders think of the season in the Fans’ Forum. To sign off, I’d like to say a big thank you to BST and Kevin Borodouwicz in particular, without whom this project would never have got off the ground. Also, many thanks to my designer Beth Wilkinson for the fantastic designs and layout that have brought Seaside Shout to life, as well as putting up with me weeks on end. There should be something for everyone inside, and I hope you enjoy reading it. UTP, Jon

If you’re ever looking for a designer or inspiration, check out my portfolio at www.behance.net/bethwilkinson or look me up on LinkedIn: Beth Wilkinson, Preston Thanks for reading, Beth

A C H AT W I T H T H E

CHAIRMAN BST Chairman Steve Rowland talks candidly about Pool’s disastrous season, the impact the Trust has had so far, and how fans really are making a difference. This season has been a disaster, both on and off the field, but a totally predictable disaster. The owners conceded that the 2013 pre-season had been far from ideal and they assured us they’d do better next time – but then the 2014 pre-season was even worse. It was shambolic and we never recovered from an appalling start. Relegation almost seemed like a certainty. Over the course of the season we have made rapid progress in terms of membership and credibility. We are still finding our way, still trying to get our message across to the broader fanbase and still building our strategy, but there’s a lot of energy behind the scenes and we are confident of building on the good start in the coming year. In terms of the Trust, as many of you know, I was the Press Officer until Tim Fielding had to stand down as Chairman. However I was happy to step up to the role because I am passionate about Blackpool FC and passionate about

the aims and benefits that a Supporters’ Trust can offer. The passion and loyalty of the 1500 supporters who’ve become members of the Trust in our first year has been fantastic. By progressing as we have been doing, on a broad front, we will achieve changes in the way that supporters can influence the good-running of their clubs and make a positive difference here at Blackpool. For those of you who are already members, I wish to thank them for their support. I ask for you to be patient, because what we are trying to achieve for supporters and the community isn’t going to happen overnight. I would also encourage you to get more involved in the activities of the Trust. It is a democratic organisation and it belongs to the members – so keep telling us what it is you want from your Trust and we will do our utmost to deliver it. For those of you who are undecided, or just unaware, I think there are still some Blackpool fans who don’t understand what a Supporters’ Trust really is, or who think we are just an anti-Oyston protest organisation. We are not a protest group. We are critical of the current owners because

P H O T O C R E D I T: S T E V E R O W L A N D

they are not doing enough to put football first. Owners come and go but without the supporters, the heart and soul of the club, there would be no Blackpool FC. BST is there for all supporters, a positive force for change in the way the club is managed, dedicated to giving our football club back to the community. The more people who join us, the more chance we have of achieving some real and lasting influence in how our club is managed. Join, and have a real stake in helping to shape the future. It’s our club and we want it back. Keep the faith. Together we can make a difference and help restore Blackpool FC to its former glory and put the fun back into our Saturday afternoons supporting the Seasiders. Steve Rowland

PROVIDING

JUSTICE

FOR FANS Following the heavily publicised Court cases against Blackpool fans by the Oyston family, a BST backed fund, Justice for Fans was set up, to provide financial relief for those who required it. Seaside Shout looks at the history and facts of the fans fund. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the slanging match that fans have got into with Karl Oyston, the majority of which are through social media, the Oystons have made it their business to track down anything that might have been said that may be defamation. They have trawled back through months of social media records and a number of people have said some things that they shouldn’t have said. However we are all passionate fans, and we all express our views, even though some things should not have been put on the record. The Oystons decided to go after people and sue them if they could. The costs of this are fairly hefty as a defamation case centres on the people who made the comments to prove that they are innocent, not on the Oystons to prove that they aren’t. The cost of that could be prohibitive, once it gets to Court the legal fees could be into the tens and hundreds of thousands of pounds. Former Chairman of the Trust Tim Fielding was one high profile case, and these guys can’t afford the pay-outs that they have been trying to make.

Justice for Fans was set up as a way for fans to contribute to helping those who are being prosecuted, a way to try and administer some form of financial aid. Set up in November 2014, It has involvement from Blackpool Supporters’ Trust, but it is an Independent panel of three people. Importantly, it’s a separate financial organisation, not linked to the Trust at all, so that people can contribute if they feel strongly that they want to help out their fellow supporters. To put it in other words, it’s a kind of rescue fund. Importantly, JFF examines very carefully the cases that are brought to it, so that if someone has been outrageously slandering with no basis in fact, JFF won’t step in. However if they have said things in relative innocence without malice or forethought, then JFF will try and provide as much aid as they possibly can. It’s not a huge fund, and will only pay out after a Court case is settled, and the financial case is clear. Overall it will contribute a small percentage of the Court costs, it is not there to settle their bills for them, instead it will contribute up to 15 or 20 percent of the final Court fees. To contribute to Justice for Fans, or to find out more information, please go to:

www.blackpoolsupporterstrust.org

THE BEST OF TWITTER

The best replies to the @SeasideShout account Seaside Shout @SeasideShout Mar 16

With Lee Clark now saying we're relegated, I want to know when you first thought we were? Karen Blundell @karen_blundell Mar 16

@SeasideShout last summer

Seaside Shout @SeasideShout Mar 21

If you had to describe our season in 5 words what would they be? Dave Nuttall @SeasideDavenut Mar 21

@SeasideShout Envy of the Football League John Stoddart @johnstoddart25 Mar 21

Seaside Shout @SeasideShout Mar 17 (After losing 3-0 to Charlton)

Who is MOTM for you? #UTP Kristen Durose @RedStarPool Mar 17

@SeasideShout my mate Dave sat next to me singing the @GTF_12 song

@SeasideShout sadly there are no words Stu @0ckers Mar 21

DEATH OF A GREAT CLUB Simon Davies @SG_Davies Mar 21

@SeasideShout “Disaster from start to finish”

Daniel Kelly @dankelly599 Mar 17

@SeasideShout people still go and watch?

Seaside Shout @SeasideShout Mar 18

Just a quick straw poll, how many points do you think we will end up with at the end of the season? #SeasideShout ValderramaHairSalon @VHS_ITK Mar 20 South Shore, England

@SeasideShout @JonCarter1994 Not enough Phil Beardall @phil_pdb Mar 18

@SeasideShout may get to 23, with the added bonus of conceding 100 goals

Seaside Shout @SeasideShout Apr 4 (Before game against Bolton)

We’ve got our own phrase now: “A Blackpool category of poor” Anyone predicting anything other than a loss? El Duderino @Dude_JLebowski Apr 17

@SeasideShout yep, a heavy loss. Seaside Shout @SeasideShout Apr 4

@Dude_JLebowski The 3-0, 4-0 kind, or the 6-1, 6-2 kind? #decisionsdecisions El Duderino @Dude_JLebowski Apr 4

@SeasideShout looks like 6-1 now! (Just after Blackpool take the lead)

FANSFORUM After one of the worst seasons in recent memory, Seaside Shout finds out what you the fans have made of the season

When did you think that we were finally going down? Against Charlton, where the players seem to have lost their fight Memorable moment from the season?

lorna baxter age 50

Beating Cardiff at home the atmosphere lifted we sang, Hoggys drum started it felt like we were turning a corner... and also the game against Forest to fight back like we did to draw 4 all.. now that was a game. How long have you been a Blackpool fan for? Since my first game in 1973.

How long have you been a Blackpool fan for? I’ve been a Pool fan since birth. I was taken to games from such a young age that I can’t even remember them.

dave seddon age 30

What has been the most positive thing about the season? I think the most positive thing has to be the emergence of and the progress made by BST who are doing work on behalf of the supporters to try and make sure football is always put first. They have made more progress in a year in terms of putting pressure on, and asking questions of our

What has been the most disappointing thing about the season? The life blood has been sucked out of the club.. No atmosphere at games anymore.. No singing no drum very little banter. It’s all negative and who can progress in that atmosphere. If you had to go for a drink/meet up with one player who would it be and why? Lewis.. I think he’s been treated appallingly by all concerned he appears genuine. Would love to hear his take on our situation.

current owners, than BSA have ever done. I feel we have found a true representative body for the fans that we can all get behind. As for on the pitch the most positive thing I can say is that the season is nearly over. That tells you everything you need to know. Memorable moment from the season? I think it has to be the end of the Cardiff game at home. It was our first victory under Riga and the atmosphere was fantastic with everybody behind the team and the manager. It’s the only time this season I’ve felt proud when coming out of the ground.

Last Blackpool game you went to? Blackpool v Sheffield (07/03/2015) If you had to go for a drink/ meet up with one player who would it be and why?

kevin ogden age 66

I know a bit of Spanish so it would have to be Andreas Orlandi

Finally, what do you think is going to happen for next season?

Jose Riga or Lee Clark? Jose Riga.

Next season? If the O’s are still in charge further degrading of the football club and fans - they need to removed ASAP if we are to survive!

Season’s worst player? Too many to choose from.

Memorable moment from the season? Being out the bottom 3 at the start of the season.

craig shuttleworth age 32

lee morton age 32

What has been the most disappointing thing about the season? The omni-shambles the Oystons are engaging in plus suing fans.

If you had to go for a drink/meet up with one player who would it be and why? Cubero, be good to talk to a player about the difference between a world cup squad and BFC as a club.

What has been the most disappointing thing about the season? The Chairman, the managerial merry go round, lack of players, no support to management. The whole club top to bottom. How long have you been a Blackpool fan for? 32 years.

Best Blackpool goal this season? Zoko at home to Cardiff. Only 1 I have seen!

Finally, what do you think is going to happen for next season? Battling relegation in League One.

Jose Riga or Lee Clark? Jose Riga. Even though he’s tried to get rid of most of them and has brought in 20+ of his own, Lee Clark’s best players have pretty much all been Riga signings. We were never hammered under Riga and given some support, even after the bad start, he would have kept us up, I’m certain of that.

Season’s best player? Joe Lewis. Without him we would have been relegated weeks ago.

When did you think that we were finally going down? I’ve always expected it. You can’t turn up for the first game of the season with just 15 players, and only just 15 players at that! It’s not got any better.

Finally, what do you think is going to happen for next season? Another relegation battle, sadly. League 1 isn’t a great standard and it just takes good organisation and a bit of extra quality to be promoted. I fear we won’t get either. My only hope is that we don’t have the double done to us by both Preston and Fleetwood.

FANSFORUMCONTINUED Last Blackpool game you went to? Sheffield Wednesday on March 7th. Will be there on the last day of the season too. Best Blackpool goal this season?

mark smith age 33

Zoko against Cardiff, only for the joy of getting the first win.

Waddingtons man of the match performance at Villa.

Hopefully a better set up, pre-season and a solid season.

What has been the most disappointing thing about the season?

If a season ticket holder are you going to renew, and why/not?

Season’s best player? Perkins. Best Blackpool goal this season? O’Hara’s free-kick against Brighton was well struck, it’s the only goal I’ve physically seen this season so it’s naturally my choice.

Memorable moment from the season? First win this season against Cardiff. The delight of Riga and the players for getting that first win.

age 29

Clarke and Perkins give everything every game. Finally, what do you think is going to happen for next season?

age 29

john paterson

Season’s best player?

Memorable moment from the season?

Just how both on and off the field the club have become a shadow of their former self.

john stoddart

What has been the most positive thing about the season? The youth players coming through.

If you had to go for a drink/ meet up with one player who would it be and why? If any season, it would be Gary TaylorFletcher. If it is this season then David Perkins since he has suffered for as long as anyone else in the squad.

Not a season ticket holder but it won’t stop me from going to games. Without support what have the team got to play for? It’s important to get behind them or the club will continue to freefall through the leagues. Last Blackpool game you went to? I don’t get down for many games, the EPL season and the season after I made a few both home and away but the last game I was at was Brighton at home where we won 1-0 courtesy of a Jamie O’Hara free kick.

Best Blackpool goal this season? Jamie O’Hara’s free kick vs Brighton. Finally, what do you think is going to happen for next season? Hoping certain mistakes are learned and a proper pre-season is put in place and consolidating ourselves in League One

YOUR BST BOARD MEMBERS geoff birch jeff hembury

karen mcguinness pauline o’rourke mark smith mike nash

steve rowland Chairperson

christine seddon Spokesperson

pete farrow Vice-Chair

francis charlesworth Membership Representitive

matt smith Treasurer

dean williamson Social Media

lee good

WIN A RETRO T-SHIRT THANKS TO SIX STARS UK Thanks to Six Stars UK, Seaside Shout have the one of their latest designs to give away to one lucky fan. All you need to do to enter is answer one simple question. Email your answer to SeasiderShout@gmail.com GOOD LUCK!

WHO SCORED BLACKPOOL’S FIRST LEAGUE GOAL OF THE SEASON?

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Entries close Saturday 16th May at 23:59. Entries made after this time will not be counted. If the winner is not contactable or does not reply within 48hrs of being sent a winners email then another winner will be drawn until the prize is accepted.

A CHAT WITH

CANAVAN

In the summer of 2014, when Jose Riga was still Pool boss, former Blackpool Gazette sports writer Steve Canavan wrote an expose for the BBC on the goings on at the club, predicting a struggle for the Seasiders. 9 months later, he could not have been more right. Looking back on a disasterous season, many Blackpool fans thought the writing on the wall before a ball was kicked following the club’s shambolic pre season. This was a situation sports writer Canavan described as “awful.” “I was just writing on what was going on at the time,” the sports writer said. “They had eight players a week before the season started, and to not have a pre season tour because you don’t have enough players is just awful.” He continued, “It was obvious with what was happening at the time, that they were going to be in big trouble, and Karl Oyston has got to take the flak for not acting sooner, and not trying harder to put things right.” This accusation is one that many fans will level at the club’s Chairman, though Canavan feels blame also has to be left at the feet of manager at the time, Jose Riga, and his refusal to sign any players. “I think that some blame has to lie with Jose Riga,” Canavan said. “I can understand him wanting to stand up to the Chairman and not getting players in unless he got some money to spend.” “However if I am in a job and I fall out with my boss you still have to do your job at the same time, and I don’t think that is what Riga did.” “He didn’t get any players in, he didn’t want to be there, and

when he left they were already virtually relegated, because of the number of players that they had there, and they were that far away at the bottom.” When the Belgian was eventually sacked in October, the damage had already been done. Bottom of the table, and with just one win all season, the situation was already dire, something the former Gazette journalist agrees with. “I’m not saying I blame Riga for standing up to Oyston, I blame Oyston for not sacking him quicker. It was clear what the outcome was going to be, and it was a stupid standoff between the two where the problem has arisen.” He continued: “In the second half of the season things have gone from bad to worse, the things off the pitch are just awful.” “I haven’t spoken to Karl for several months now, but looking on from the outside in, he seems to have got totally fed up, and not put in any effort over the last few months, resigned to relegation.” Despite the issues on and off the pitch, it is the fans that Canavan feels are hit hardest, having seen their team rise to the top of the Premier League table less than five years ago. The only bittersweet comfort is that the club will be no worse off than

they were a decade ago, fighting once again to get out of English football’s third tier. The 39 year old said: “It’s just really sad, and for the fans and supporters it is most disappointing, the way they have had to watch what has gone on at the club this season.” The club’s financial situation Canavan says, leave Blackpool as the ‘odd one out’ in Premier League clubs who have dropped through the divisions. “You think how can a club with that much money be in the position that they are. You look at the clubs who have fallen away, they have all had financial problems,” he said. “Blackpool is the odd one out, they are massively in the black, they have loads of money, so you just shake your head and think how has it been allowed to happen.”

“If Karl Oyston is fed up with the club and doesn’t have any interest in it anymore and is not going to put any money in to try and get back to the Championship, then I think that he should do the right thing and sell the club. With protests against the Oyston family ongoing, Canavan was supportive of the work BST was engaging in, saying they were doing an ‘excellent job.’ “They are doing as much as they can do. They are obviously fed up to the back teeth of what has been going on this season, and you can’t blame them.” Canavan continued, “I think they have been reasonable in what they are asking for. They don’t want Blackpool to go out and sign players worth millions of pounds, they just want reasonable investment into the club. They are doing what they can do at the end of the day. It will be interesting to see what they can achieve over the next six months.”

Commenting on potential investment into the club in the future, Canavan believes the majority of the power still rests with the Oyston family, due to the structuring of the club into “The ironic thing is that they separate property and footballing entities. “The are about to be in exactly the way the club is structured, same place that they were split into the property and 10 years ago, it feels miles football side, it would worse, because they have had be almost impossible for such highs, been to the top anyone to come in and buy it.” of the Premier League, and

“Traditionally the Oystons don’t listen to anyone who protests. In the 1990’s the supporters carried a coffin into the centre circle to try and get rid of them, it has been going on for years and years.”

“Nothing has changed in terms of the ownership, so it remains to be t h e y h a v e l o a d s o f m o n e y i n seen how successful supporters “It’s up to the Oystons groups are going to be, but fair the bank as well.” really. If Karl starts talking play to them for what they have again over the summer and says the right things, done so far, as they feel there is and more crucially puts his money where his mouth no other way to get through to the Oystons other is, and signs some good players then getting kids than protest.” in on loan, then you have to give him another chance, after all, he did get the club to the With a look at Blackpool’s plight promised for Premier League.” the summer, Canavan summed up the Seasiders’ season into a single sentence. Canavan was quick to point out however, that “You can’t start a season like Blackpool did and if Oyston was unwilling to put the necessary expect to stay up, and they haven’t.” effort and resources in to return the club to the Championship, the right thing to do would be @CanavanWriter to sell.

A SEASIDE SHOUT THE 2014/15 DEBACLE

Check out our brief review of the season, to find out (as if you didn’t know) where it went wrong. This season really has been a disaster. From the well documented shambles of pre-season right through to the final day, no one can say that Blackpool have been deserving of a place in the Championship next season, and we haven’t got one. If we lose today, then we are statistically the worst team in Championship history, with just 25 points from 46 league games. Four wins all season, none of them away, with players coming and going faster than delivery drivers at your local takeaway. That’s before we even get onto the players that haven’t shown up since January (Nile Ranger, I’m looking at you here). Having just eight players a week before the season started was bad, but from then on it just got a whole lot worse. Countless red cards, defeat upon defeat, our Chairman getting charged by the FA for a text altercation with a fan, and our Club Secretary having to take on the role of the kitman, are just a few of the incidents widely touted in the press. Oh and Joe Lewis having to wear a signed shirt for a home match, because there were no others available. Seriously, you couldn’t make it up. The Riga Revolution never really sparked into life, and Lee Clark hasn’t done a much better job if you take a look at the table. Still though, the fans love the club, and want the team to succeed. For all those defeats there were still points where you thought the team still could maybe perform a miracle. The 4-4 draw against Nottingham Forest sticks in the mind, as does that first Riga win on a chilly October night against Cardiff.

Yet these comparative high points were nothing compared to the lows endured by all throughout this campaign. Leading a high flying Watford away 2-0 at half time, only to crash to a 7-2 hammering took some getting over, as did the 3-1 home defeat to Wigan, and the last minute equaliser conceded away to Fulham after leading for so long. Like many, I cannot remember what that winning feeling feels like, it has happened so few times this season, and meant so little when it did happen. Losing now feels like a God given right, rather than an injustice, as it used to. We deserve better, and that is what we have to ask for next season. In many ways it is a fresh start, a chance to go again. As fans, we want investment both on and off the pitch, to make sure that if we pay for our tickets, we are not going to feel embarrassed to sit and watch our own team, as has been the case at times this season. The majority of fans will give Lee Clark a chance to prove himself at a level where he has had success before, and will want him to succeed. The Blackpool fans I know are not unreasonable, and just want what is best the club. On every tangerine shirt that a player walks out in on a match day, there is the club motto, ‘Progress’. The only progression fans have seen this season is in a negative direction, and to address that would be a step forward. After the worst season in living memory for most Blackpool fans, progression on the pitch would be a step forward, and it would make Saturdays a lot more enjoyable again. @SeasideShout

"POOL LEGEND STAN MORTENSEN NEVER PLAYED IN A TEAM AS BAD AS THIS SEASON'S CURRENT CROP OF PLAYERS"

15 P H O T O C R E D I T: J O N C A R T E R

P H O T O C R E D I T: A N D Y H I G G I N S

POLITICS & FOOTBALL Independent Blackpool South election candidate Andy Higgins sat down with Seaside Shout to discuss politics, family and putting football first. If you passed him on the street you would probably mistake him for another run of the mill Blackpool fan, but Andy Higgins is anything but. With the backing of BST, come May 7th he hopes to be the Independent voice in Parliament representing Blackpool South, making a change for the constituents who live there. A lecturer, teacher, print industry expert and owner of his own record label, the ever busy Blackpool fan admits standing at the election came about after a chance meeting at the pub.

“It was a discussion with a friend in The Thatched pub that sparked my initial interest in standing,” Higgins said. “After a couple of meetings it was pretty much a group decision between the chaps on the BSA election campaign group, the BST committee plus consultation with a few friends and family.” The 50 year old’s previous experience of politics came during his time at Manchester University, when he stood for University Sports Rep and Presidency of a University Hall. Higgins joked about the time, saying “I won both elections there, so hopefully that’s a good omen!”

Though the face of the campaign, Higgins was quick to acknowledge the team working alongside him, as well as the hard work of BST in raising his profile and putting his message out to a wide audience, and support from football fans in general. “I have a great campaign team. A hard-core of about six workers who are all picking up the strain for things such as events, design work, finance, press, social networking and media.” “Exiles are offering to pitch in with the publicity and I have lots of best wishes from friends and football fans everywhere.”

He continued, “The Trust has The Independent candidate is backed by Blackpool Supporters’ worked hard to pull people together to mobilise the Trust, with a manifesto that aims campaign. They have been to regenerate the Town, increase active in all aspects, organising community projects, as well as events, PR and social media.” improve football governance, something that will strike a chord “We have all worked closely together to design and agree with many that turn up on a on a manifesto which articulates match day. what we are trying to achieve, One stand out from Andy’s so although as the candidate manifesto however, is his I am the public face and the donation to youth projects name on the ballot paper, it is in his constituency. Higgins really a team effort.” said. “I would like to see my One of the key factors fellow candidates from the main towards Andy’s election push Westminster parties match this however has been his family. commitment and I would be the first to applaud them for doing so.” Described as “very supportive

and understanding,” Higgins admitted he “spoke at length” with them before standing for election. Andy did admit though that he had “less time to dedicate to family matters,” but described the election process as a “great learning experience.”As for any disillusioned Blackpool fans, Higgins asked for “faith and patience.” He continued, “Blackpool FC is our club and not the temporary owners. We might be feeling the darkness but often the darkest hour comes before the dawn. Football is more than a business and needs to be treated as such, so when they do move on we

need a drastic change to how the club is run in the future. We are a progressive force for good and positive change that’s what matters.” “I hope my standing is something that will be good for the supporters, the long-time well-being of our club and UK football in general. I think politics is far too important to be left to the politicians so we need to get involved and push for change, and I think I can do that job on behalf of the local community, the Trust and Blackpool fans. @Vote4Andy2015

The history of

BLACKPOOL SUPPORTERS TRUST To find out more about BST check out our handy timeline below.

2013 #1000

January 2013 – Seasiders Independent Supporters Association (SISA) was formed by Blackpool fans Paul Brewster, Lee Good and Peter Wand

February 2014 – SISA apply for, and are granted permission to turn Blackpool FC into an asset of community value, the 22nd football club in England at the time to hold such a title.

2013

2014

BST Secretary Chairman Steve Rowland said: “We weren’t able to change anything regarding the management structure, or the ambition of the people at the top of the club, so SISA was set up, in January 2013. That got a lot of members fairly quickly, and organised a number of protests against the Oystons.”

December 2013 – SISA membership extends to over 1000 fans

2014 June 2014 – Blackpool Supporters’ Trust was formed (BST)

BST

BST Chairman Steve Rowland said: “The people at the core of that obviously recognised that if you wanted to have success in the longer term then we, as supporters needed some credibility. So we got in touch with Supporters Direct and found out what we needed to do to set up a proper Trust, a cooperative, legal organisation. The advantages of a Trust is that we are entitled to own property, for example a football ground, a stadium, the kind of stuff that supporters’ association’s can’t.”

September 2014 – BST reaches 1000 members, including former players Brett Ormerod, Keith Southern and Charlie Adam.

2014

2015 June 2015 – 1 year anniversary of BST

May 2015 – 5 years on Anniversary dinner, celebrating the Play Off Final victory in 2010, and the first anniversary of BST. BST Chairman Steve Rowland said: “The anniversary gala coming up in May is a bittersweet occasion, with past and present players coming along to celebrate five years of winning the Play Off Final, and BST’s first birthday, whilst at the same time, we seem to be slipping back down the divisions again. There was such an opportunity there to build on the legacy of the Premier League that hasn’t been taken.”

2015 @BlackpoolST

OYSTON’S CASH COW Lifelong Blackpool fan and Twitter celebrity Chris Walker (@OneDaveBamber) takes a look at the Seasiders’ finances and the impact relegation will have on next season’s bank balance. Blackpool may have benefited from record profits in recent years, but the financial impact of relegation to League One will have a significant impact on the future direction of the club. Perhaps most noteworthy of all, the 2015/16 season will mark the first campaign since dropping out of the Premier League that the club will not be in receipt of parachute payments. Having received in the region of £48m over the course of four years, the well of top flight rewards has now run dry. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Football League television rights are heavily weighted in favour of the Championship, with League One and Two clubs getting only a very small piece of the pie. The last published accounts for Blackpool FC show parachute payments and TV rights money totalling in excess of £12m - for the club’s first season back in the third tier this amount will be well under £1m and possibly as little as £500,000. Turnover can also be expected to fall in other departments too. Season ticket receipts for

2013/14 - the first season of the heavily reduced rates - were around £1.7m when there were around 11,000 season ticket holders, so this figure will see a severe drop too in the forthcoming season. Around 4,000 fans are believed to have taken up the two year deal that formed part of the so-called Riga Revolution offer and at this point it’s difficult to imagine many more jumping on board. A generous forecast for season ticket income next season would be £750,000 - a fall of over 50%. Other gate receipts in the form of pay on the gate revenue can also be expected to drop with many home fans choosing to stay away from Bloomfield Road until the Oyston family have left. Reduced away followings in League One will mean less money being taken over the turnstiles, and there’s also the knock-on effect that smaller attendances will have in other areas, such as catering, programmes and the club shop. Some of those already committed to the two year season ticket deal will be doing so under the guise of ‘not a penny more’ as well. Another area which is likely to affect revenue is sponsorship given the end of the shirt deal with Wonga after a five year association. The value of sponsorship down a level will be much lower,which will once again hit the turnover that can be achieved. With no saleable assets on the playing staff, there is no scope to offset the reductions being felt elsewhere, all of which contributes to a pretty bleak picture.

P H O T O C R E D I T: R O B U N D E R D O W N

So what does all of this mean? Based on the above assumptions, Blackpool FC could have a turnover figure as low as £2.5m-£3.5m for the 2015/16 season and this has potentially grave consequences for the playing budget. Teams in League One and Two must comply with the Football League’s financial fair play regulations called Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP). This limits teams in League One to spending a maximum of 60% of their turnover on the playing wage bill and teams in League Two are capped at 55%. Let’s take a turnover figure of £3m as an example, which gives an upper ceiling of just £1.8m for the playing budget. Players under 20 years old can be excluded from the salary cap, as can the wages of any players who Blackpool loan out during the season for that period, but even then it’s a measly sum and around just 25% of the spend on wages in 2013/14 when Pool narrowly escaped relegation under Barry Ferguson. Think about how poor that squad was and then consider what can be assembled for a quarter of the cost - it’s a frightening prospect.

relegations so concerning. There are always exceptions of course, but the recurring theme in professional football is that there is a strong correlation between the amount spent on wages and league position. The SCMP regulations prohibit the inclusion of prior profits to increase the 60% cap and similarly loans can’t be provided by owners to inflate wage bills either. The one potential loophole is for owners to gift the club money, or inject more equity. Based on the experience of the last few years, the chances of the club exploiting this loophole seems far-fetched. Fail to do this however, and Blackpool will be fighting an uphill battle yet again. Far from being a big fish in a small pond, the numbers suggest an entirely different scenario. Unfortunately for Pool fans the misery looks set to continue. @OneDaveBamber

In terms of the competition, a quick glance through the accounts of League One clubs in past seasons reveals the average turnover to be somewhere in the region of £5m which likely means that the Seasiders’ wage budget will be at the lower end of the division. It is details like this which make the possibility of consecutive

TERRIERS STAT ATTACK LAST TIME OUT 18th October 2014 Huddersfield Town 4 – 2 Blackpool Holt 4’, Bunn 11’, 16

In a game the home side dominated for large parts, two goals just before the break made the scoreline somewhat respectable for the Seasiders. 3-0 down just after a quarter of an hour and it seemed like another heavy defeat was on the cards. However two quickfire goals from captain Tony McMahon and on loan West

McMahon 45’, Daniels 45’ Butterfield 61’ Brom defender Donervan Daniels meant Pool only went in one behind at the break. A Jacob Butterfield strike sealed the victory for the Terriers however, and consigned the Seasiders to what was then a 7th away game without victory. Little did fans know then that that run could stretch until the end of the season.

THE MANAGERS SAID Huddersfield manager Chris Powell: "I thought the first 35 minutes were the best we have played all season. We were outstanding and it could have been four or five. "Grant Holt is enjoying his football and training well and he has certainly made an impact for the team, squad and supporters. I hope something could be organised and sorted out. He is a focal point for the team and long may it continue."

Blackpool boss Jose Riga: "I still trust my players. I will not speak about my players when they don't get a result. I don't want to be hard on them. I am very proud of what they have done already. "I have three loan players and I hope for more. The squad has to be helped. When you look at the experience of the players you can see we need more. I hope we can do that."

PEPPERS POINTERS HTFCSA Secretary Robert Pepper gives us his tips for the match. Tricky Customer? Sean Scannell has thrived under Chris Powell (who blocked his potential move to Millwall), and had some excellent performances but it’s probably fair to say that most defence have now sussed him, albeit his speed and footwork can still cause problems. Unsung Hero? I might put my tongue in my cheek and say that (Joe) Lolley doesn’t get the manager’s attention as much as he should!

Final Score? Whenever we turn up to Bloomfield Road needing a result we never seem to get it. Seeing as it’s the end of the season and the result is immaterial then I forecast Town to win 3-1. Betting odds: Blackpool: 5/2 Draw: 12/5 Huddersfield:4/5

FAMILIAR FACES Current Pool gaffer Lee Clark enjoyed a successful spell as Huddersfield manager from 2008-2012, winning 48% of his games in charge, and being sacked just months before the team gained promotion to the Championship via the play offs. Peter Clarke is enjoying his second permanent spell at the Seaside, joining on a free transfer from today’s opponents in the summer. Former

last

club captain in both Yorkshire and Lancashire, the 33 year old is one with more ties than most to both teams today. Striker Ishmael Miller is one to swap the Seaside for Yorkshire. Joining on transfer deadline day in January, the 28 year old has established himself in manager Chris Powell’s plans, with goalscoring contributions against Reading and Sheffield Wednesday amongst others.

meetings between the sides

24 Sep 2012

Blackpool v Huddersfield Town

1-3

Championship

26 Dec 2012

Huddersfield Town v Blackpool

1-1

Championship

27 Sep 2013

Huddersfield Town v Blackpool

1-1

Championship

22 Mar 2014

Blackpool v Huddersfield Town

1-0

Championship

18 Oct 2014

Huddersfield Town v Blackpool

4-2

Championship

01 SMITHIES 2 7 S M I T H BOOKED 04 HUDSON 33 LYNCH 17 ROBINSON 0 6 H O G G BOOKED

10 COADY 08 BUTTERFIELD 07 SCANNELL 1 6 H O L T (WARD -83’)

3 0 B U N N

REF: DARRN BOND

(PATERSON - 86’)

ATT: 14,238

01 LEWIS 2 9 M A C M A H O N BOOKED 02 DANIELS 06 CLARKE 1 6 D I E L N A

04 PERKINS 2 4 L U N S T R A M BOOKED 2 3 O R I O L (ZOKO - 65’)

1 4 D E L F O U N E S O (RENTMEISTER -16’) BOOKED 1 5 M E N D Y 17 MILLER (MELLIS - 80’)

WATT’S GOING ON? P H O T O C R E D I T: W I L L WAT T

Blackpool Gazette sports writer, and lifelong Seasider, Will Watt talks candidly on Blackpool’s season, the difficulty of reporting on the club, and where it all went so wrong. “Blackpool is not a normal club.” From the top of the Premier League less than five years ago, the club now find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Championship table, and resigned to a second relegation in four years. This situation however, is not something that shocks the sports writer. “It’s just been a disaster of a season, from minute one really, from agreeing on transfer targets in the summer, through to the state of the pitch, FA misconduct charges, I’ve almost grown used to it,” Watt said.

The 32 year old continued, “It’s been a bizarre and strange time to be a Blackpool fan and the local reporter. It’s been one thing after another and it’s not just the fact that the team are dead and buried at the bottom of the Championship.” Like many fans, Watt feels the trend started with the departure of Ian Holloway in 2013. Will said, “Ollie was the leading light and the main reason for Blackpool’s success, he made the club what it was, and from the day he walked out it has been a downward spiral.” The spiral turned last season into a “slog”, with the club narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, a warning sign that Will thinks wasn’t listened to. “There was all the talk about the big changes in the summer, the Riga Revolution and doing

things a different way. It hasn’t worked out and Blackpool are back to having a British manager, doing things in a very British style, when they said they wanted to do things differently.” With the club posting profits of over £9 million for the 13/14 year, the Tangerines are in a sound financial position, which make the teams plight on the field even more difficult to take. “It is difficult to swallow,” Watt said. “As fans, if we were a Portsmouth or a Bradford then it would at least make some sense, but it doesn’t. Fans are right to be angry, this football club has lots of money.” He continued, “Karl Oyston has been famously quoted as saying there’s money available for a rainy day. Now it’s raining, and Blackpool need the money so that when the

club goes down to League One the club doesn’t find itself there for another 39 years.” Watt admits as a journalist there has never been a dull moment, but as a fan the situation is not one he hoped the club would find itself in at the start of the season. “It’s been very hard, from a fans’ point of view, it’s been very difficult to watch,” Watt said. On the other hand all this scandal and drama makes really good newspapers, so it goes both ways. As a journalist it’s better than nothing happening, but ultimately as a fan, for me, I get no pleasure from reporting on the situation.” Pool boss Lee Clark may be taking the club down, but it is next season where Watt insists he must be judged, when the club starts fresh, and builds for the League One campaign,

rather than on the disaster of this year’s Championship campaign. “Lee Clark took the impossible job at Blackpool,” Watt said. “I think if anyone looked at the squad at the start of the season, it was almost a certainty to get

things don’t go right from there, then the finger will be pointed at him, but not this season.” A Blackpool fan since the age of 5, Watt is as passionate as any of those who turn up on a Saturday at Bloomfield Road, and though the club’s plight is

“I don’t agree that Blackpool Football Club is dead or dying. The club will never die, as long as the fans are here and the club’s traditions are still here. There was a club long before the Oyston family, and there will be a club long after, whether that is in 5 years, 50 years or 5 months.” relegated. If he kept the club up he would have been manager of the century, let alone the season.” He continued, “I think he’s made mistakes, I don’t think he’s done everything perfectly, but he will be given the summer and the start of next season. If

reason for concern, he does not believe, as some fans do, that that plight it terminal. “Blackpool Football Club certainly isn’t dead. They’ll be back. Who knows when, but they’ll be back.” @WillWatt

JOINING FORCES Today’s opponents also have their own Supporters’ Trust, merged with their Supporters’ Association. Seaside Shout sat down with Huddersfield Town Supporters’ Association Secretary Robert Pepper to talk about the importance of the fans, the season, and the future for the club. When the Terriers went into administration in 2003, they had just been relegated to the bottom tier of English Football for the first time since 1980. Now just over a decade later, and with fan Dean Hoyle as owner, they are secure in the second flight for another year, and look to push on in the summer. From this administration rose the Supporters’ Trust, which merged in 2008 with the Supporters’ Club, to form today’s Association, a move that Pepper says has paid dividends. “We are the only independent group of fans at the club and consequently try to fulfil the main objectives of both

Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation. Luckily, when we merged, HTSA retained the Trust’s constitution and is still affiliated to both SD and the FSF.” A former Chair of the Trust and current Vice-Chair of Supporters Direct, Pepper praised the work of the Association, and the impact that it was having with supporters. “One of our key objectives for this season has been cooperating with the club to set up a fans’ forum, which is vital to get the fans voices heard. Our relationship with the club is on a sound footing and we have regular review meetings with the HTFC Chief Executive.” Pepper continued: “It is worth pointing out that the club is owned 100% by one individual, who is, first and foremost a fan himself, and is consequently thought of very highly by the vast majority of our supporters.” The Terriers have endured another season of mediocrity, sitting once again in the bottom half of the table.

P H O T O C R E D I T: J O H N S E A L E Y

They are safe from relegation, but Pepper says inconsistency has been the teams downfall, their inability to string results together leaving them languishing without something to fight for on the final day except pride. “This campaign has been one of almost total inconsistency, one week good or even very good occasionally, the next week poor, more often than not very poor, Pepper said. “Though never really safe from relegation our bizarre sequence of results and the consistency of our inconsistency meant that we have another comfortable finish in the final league table.”

The summer is going to be huge for both Football Club, and Supporters’ Association, with both looking to rebuild before the season starts up again in August. “The expectation for the summer is that Chris Powell will be allowed to strengthen his squad to fit his own style of management.” “And as for HTSA, it’s very likely that the summer will also see some rebuilding, with the current Chair’s intention to hand over.” To find out more about HTFCSA visit www.htsa-online.co.uk/ @OfficialHTSA

On manager Chris Powell, Pepper admitted that the jury was still out on the former Charlton boss, though his short reign at the helm so far has probably also played its part. “We had a managerial change at the very beginning of the season and it’s probably fair to say that the current manager still has to prove himself,” Pepper said. “The inconsistency has been the big thing, and we need to improve on that if we are to improve next season.”

THE FSF:

A HELPING HAND BST would not be where it is today without the support and guidance of the Football Supporters Federation. Director of Communications Michael Brunskill speaks about the role of the FSF, and it’s importance to fans.

Can you give me a brief History of the FSF? The Football Supporter’s Federation was born 13 years ago, it merged from two different federations, the moderate National Federation of Supporters Clubs, and the Football Supporters Association, which was a lot more active. What issues do the fans normally come to the FSF with? It depends really. Ticket prices are high on the agenda, the Premier League has a £5bn TV deal at the moment, which will rise to £7bn before long. It’s a huge deal and the FSF want to see that money bring down prices for home and away fans. Safe Standing is a big one, and fans come to us, and we help them with issues. Fans around England get in touch during tournaments, with the Fans Embassy Service. They are often random queries, but that’s the appeal of it. It’s all so different. BST had help from fans from Blackburn and FC United, is this help something you try to promote? Yes it is. Blackburn and FC United have had issues with ownership, and they feel a sort of affinity. You go from one club having one issue to many having sort of the same. When it comes up at a club, it riles fans up, it can be quite isolated. Many Blackpool fans who weren’t fully aware now understand what is going on and want to see positive changes. You see fans at other clubs seeing a connection and solidarity with that. 28

Would you say supporters clubs and trusts coming to you is the norm? It works in different ways. Sometimes a Supporters’ Association will read about us and contact us out of the blue, at other times there are issues at particular clubs such as Blackpool and Coventry. We contact them and see if they want to write something for the site, or if there is any way that we can help. So did BST come to you or the other way around? They came to us, there has been a lot going on at Blackpool. I popped them an email asking if there was anything that they wanted help with, because in situations like this everyone who supports Blackpool knows the ins and outs of what’s going on. We offer our support and explain the issues to fans more generally, and what’s going on, and help in that regard. BST secretary Kevin Borodouwicz said that you helped ‘give credibility’ to the Trust. Is this something that you aim to do? Yeah, if something kicks off at a local level like at Blackpool. We help and advise on how to campaign at a national level. We put people in touch with the right contacts, and we help to compound the work done at a local level, nationally.

What is the biggest ongoing project for the FSF at the moment? It comes in waves. Definitely between Safe Standing and Twenty’s Plenty. Last season 32,000 fans saved £342,000 thanks to reciprocal deals. We were the first to promote that so it is good that clubs are taking it up. At the minute TV wealth and Twenty’s Plenty are big on the agenda. Safe Standing comes up but ticket prices is the big one, because of all the money in the game at the moment. What do you see in the future for the federation? We need to engage with new younger fans via social media. We have a strong Facebook and Twitter presence. New generations have new ideas and we need to make sure that we can embrace the change. Also we’ve built relationships with Football’s governing bodies. In the past we have been on the outside shouting in, but if you build contacts within the institutions as we have done you can make headway. The Football League now back Safe Standing and dozens of clubs support it. Ticket prices are still a big one. We are saving real money in peoples’ pockets and it’s a great feeling. I think we do a good job helping football fans avoiding crime, and unfair prosecution. We need to continue to be representative of fans, because that’s what we’re primarily about. We need to keep our eyes on the big issues and promote the positive actions that can be done, that fans think is the right way forward for them and for football.

P H O T O C R E D I T: M I C H A E L B R U N S K I L L

MICHAEL BRUNSKILL The 34 year old has worked for the FSF since May 2008 in his current role as Director of Communications. @the_fsf

THE NEXT 12 MONTHS Find out what is coming up in the future for BST, as Chairman Steve Rowland gives us an insight into the year ahead. June marks BST’s first anniversary, at the end of one of the worst seasons in recent memory. In that time over 1000 members have joined, to put pressure on the Oyston family and form a united front against the shambolic actions at the club.

“We’ve got Andy Higgins running as a fantastic Independent candidate, and we’ve also had some dialogue with certain aspects of the Labour party about the plans they have in terms of football regulations, as well as continuing to strengthen our working relationship with Supporters Direct.” The talks and current work would hopefully lay the foundations to one of the Trust’s eventual main aims, part ownership of the football club.

There is good news though. As BST Chairman Steve Rowland reveals, there are initial plans in place to put together a consortium to attempt to purchase control of the club from the current owners. “We’re looking at a change in direction after balloting members, to do with seeking control of some of the facilities of, or trying to engage directly in, purchasing the club,” Rowland said.

“An eventual aim is to give supporters a 20% stake in the management of clubs, and representation on the Boards Of Directors.”

He continued, “It is something that has been under wraps for a while, and we have been working hard behind the scenes to see if there is any way that there could be a new direction for the club.”

Despite this, one of the key goals over the next 12 months is the continuation of the Trust’s 1000 plus membership, something Rowland believes is a key factor in the success of the organisation so far.

The 62 year old said, “We’ll continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes with any organisation that might bring some realistic change in the governance of football and give supporters more say in how their clubs are run.”

“The more supporters we have as a part of the “It looks like the Oystons are unwilling to sell Trust the more it feels it belongs to the fans going unless we make it worth their while, so over the forward and the more leverage we have in an next year, that is what we as a Trust are going attempt to try and get things changed.” to be working on, trying to find a way to have a realistic chance of taking control of the club, “We’re still in our first year, and it’s getting to the maybe with help from outside investors, or just point where people are starting to renew their simply persuading the Oystons to sell up and go.” memberships, and we want to make sure we keep people onside, and keep people sticking Another key area Rowland highlighted for the with the Trust.” coming year was the Trust’s on going work alongside both footballing bodies and political parties, as well as BST backed Andy Higgins’ election campaign.

“We’re going to work with political parties in the months coming forward,” Rowland said.

“Hopefully with what we’ve achieved in the last 12 months, and what we hope to achieve in the future we can do that.” @BlackpoolST

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