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2024–25 Blackpool F.C. season

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Blackpool F.C.
2024–25 season
OwnerSimon Sadler
Head CoachNeil Critchley
(until 21 August)[1]
Richard Keogh (interim)
(from 21 August to 3 September)[1]
Steve Bruce (from 3 September)[2]
StadiumBloomfield Road
League One19th
FA CupFirst round
EFL CupThird round
EFL TrophyFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: James Husband (3)
All: CJ Hamilton
James Husband (3 each)
2025–26 →

The 2024–25 season is the 116th season in the history of Blackpool Football Club, and their second-consecutive season in League One,[3] the third tier of English professional football. The club are also participating in two cup competitions: the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy. They were knocked out of the EFL Cup in the third round.

The club was managed by Neil Critchley,[4] in his second season of his second spell at the club, until 21 August, when he was sacked. Richard Keogh replaced him in the interim. Steve Bruce was appointed as the club's new head coach on 3 September.[5]

Pre-season

[edit]
Blackpool hosting Sunderland in a friendly on 27 July

On 17 May, Blackpool announced their first four pre-season matches, against AFC Fylde, Sunderland, Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.[6]

Two new signings occurred in June, to become official on 1 July: Jordan Rhodes,[7] who was on loan at the club the previous season, joined on a free transfer, as did fellow striker Ashley Fletcher.[8] They were followed by defenders Zac Ashworth and Hayden Coulson, the latter of whom was at Blackpool on loan the previous season.

On 8 July, Welsh midfielder Lee Evans joined on a free transfer.[9]

The club's first pre-season friendly took place at AFC Fylde on 12 July. The hosts won 3–1, with Jake Daniels scoring Blackpool's goal.

A week later, Blackpool played Cádiz CF as part of the club's training stint in Spain. The match finished goalless.

Forward Zak Emmerson joined FC Halifax Town on a permanent transfer on 23 July. The fee was not disclosed.[10] Later in the day, Blackpool travelled to West Bromwich Albion. Goals from Sonny Carey and Ashley Fletcher gave Blackpool a 2–1 victory.

On 27 July, Blackpool hosted Sunderland at Bloomfield Road. Josh Clarke's strike for the visitors was the only goal of the game.

Two more defeats followed—at Tranmere and at home to Accrington Stanley—before pre-season was brought to a close with a 2–0 victory at Neil Critchley's former club, Crewe Alexandra.

On 5 August, defender Elkan Baggott joined on a season-long loan from Ipswich Town. Three days later, Elliot Embleton, previously on loan at Blackpool, was signed on a permanent basis on a two-year contract.

Fixtures and results

[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 July 2024 Friendly AFC Fylde 3–1 Blackpool Medlar-with-Wesham
19:00 BST
Report Stadium: Mill Farm Sports Village
19 July 2024 Friendly Cádiz CF 0–0 Blackpool Benalup-Casas Viejas
18:00 BST Report Stadium: Fairplay Golf & Spa Resort
23 July 2024 Friendly West Bromwich Albion 1–2 Blackpool Walsall
13:00 BST Report
Stadium: West Bromwich Albion training ground
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
27 July 2024 Friendly Blackpool 0–1 Sunderland Blackpool
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Bloomfield Road
30 July 2024 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 3–1 Blackpool Birkenhead
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
30 July 2024 Friendly Blackpool 1–3 Accrington Stanley Blackpool
13:00 BST Fletcher 74' Report Mooney 32'
Woods 43', 75'
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
3 August 2024 Friendly Crewe Alexandra 0–2 Blackpool Crewe
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Gresty Road

Season proper

[edit]

Blackpool began their League One campaign with a 2–1 defeat at Crawley Town on 10 August. Ashley Fletcher scored on his debut for the visitors in the 74th minute, having come on as a substitute two minutes earlier.[11]

Three days later, Blackpool reached the second round of the EFL Cup with a 4–0 victory at Burton Albion. Ryan Finnigan (on his debut), Matthew Pennington (2) and Lee Evans (first for the club) got the goals, each in the second half.[12] Earlier in the day, striker Dom Ballard joined on loan from Southampton.

A second-successive League One defeat followed at home (3–0 to Stockport County) on 17 August. Blackpool dropped to second-bottom in the table.[13] Neil Critchley was sacked four days later, with Richard Keogh replacing him in the interim.

After three years at Bloomfield Road, goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw joined Plymouth Argyle for an undisclosed fee on 23 August.

On 24 August, Blackpool drew 4–4 at Cambridge United, despite leading 4–1. James Husband scored twice, with the other goals coming from Kyle Joseph and Dom Ballard, his first goal for the club. Blackpool climbed one place to 22nd with the point.

Three days later, Blackpool reached the third round of the EFL Cup, after a 2–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Jake Beesley and Hayden Coulson scored the visitors' goals.[14] It will be Blackpool's first appearance in the third round since the 2018–19 season. Earlier in the day, 22-year-old goalkeeper Harry Tyrer joined on a season-long loan from Everton.[15]

On 30 August, transfer deadline day, forward Kylian Kouassi joined League Two Salford City on loan until the end of the season.[16] Right-back Odeluga Offiah arrived at Bloomfield Road on loan from Brighton for the rest of the season.

Blackpool drew 2–2 with Wycombe Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on 31 August. The hosts' goals came from Kyle Joseph and Jake Beesley. They climbed one place to 21st with the point.[17]

On 3 September, Blackpool beat Crewe Alexandra 4–1 at Bloomfield Road in the group stage of the EFL Trophy, maintaining Richard Keogh's unbeaten start as interim manager. Jordan Rhodes, Sonny Carey and CJ Hamilton (2) got Blackpool's goals.[18] Immediately after the match, Steve Bruce was announced as Blackpool's new head coach.[19]

Blackpool beat Exeter City 2–1 at Bloomfield Road on 14 September, after a 94th-minute winner by James Husband, in Steve Bruce's first game in charge. CJ Hamilton scored Blackpool's first goal. The hosts climbed to 19th in the table with the three points.

Sheffield Wednesday, with a single-goal victory, knocked Blackpool out of the EFL Cup at the third-round stage on 17 September.[20]

League One

[edit]

League table

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
17 Rotherham United 6 1 3 2 5 7 −2 6
18 Northampton Town 5 1 2 2 5 6 −1 5
19 Blackpool 5 1 2 2 9 12 −3 5
20 Burton Albion 5 0 4 1 7 8 −1 4
21 Bolton Wanderers 5 1 1 3 2 9 −7 4 Relegation to EFL League Two
Updated to match(es) played on 16 September 2024. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[21]

Results summary

[edit]
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
5 1 2 2 9 12  −3 5 1 1 1 4 6  −2 0 1 1 5 6  −1

Last updated: 14 September 2024.
Source: Soccerway

Matches

[edit]

On 26 June, the League One fixtures were announced.[22]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

10 August 2024 1 Crawley Town 2–1 Blackpool Crawley
17:30 BST Report Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 2,718
Referee: Sam Purkiss
17 August 2024 2 Blackpool 0–3 Stockport County Blackpool
15:00 BST Report Barry 67'
Fevrier 84'
Olaofe 90+4'
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 12,567
Referee: Simon Mather
24 August 2024 3 Cambridge United 4–4 Blackpool Cambridge
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 6,083
Referee: Jacob Miles
31 August 2024 4 Blackpool 2–2 Wycombe Wanderers Blackpool
12:30 BST Report Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Note: Fixture was initially scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcast.[23]
14 September 2024 6 Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City Blackpool
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 8,813
Referee: Ross Joyce
21 September 2024 7 Charlton Athletic v Blackpool Charlton
15:00 BST Stadium: The Valley
24 September 2024 5[24] Huddersfield Town v Blackpool Huddersfield
19:45 BST Stadium: Kirklees Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 7 September, but was postponed due to international call-ups.[25][24]

FA Cup

[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

EFL Cup

[edit]

On 27 June, the draw for the first round was made, with Blackpool being drawn away against Burton Albion.[26] In the second round, they were drawn away to Blackburn Rovers.[27][28] In the third round, Blackpool were drawn at home to Sheffield Wednesday.[29][30]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

13 August 2024 First round Burton Albion 0–4 Blackpool Burton upon Trent
19:45 BST Report Finnigan 69'
Pennington 76', 81'
Evans 90+1'
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 1,522
Referee: Matthew Corlett
27 August 2024 Second round Blackburn Rovers 1–2 Blackpool Blackburn
19:45 BST Gueye 21' (pen.) Report Beesley 72'
Coulson 77'
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 9,418
17 September 2024 Third round Blackpool 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday Blackpool
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 5,429
Referee: Thomas Kirk

EFL Trophy

[edit]

In the group stage, Blackpool were drawn into Northern Group E alongside Crewe Alexandra, Harrogate Town and Liverpool U21.[31][32]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 Blackpool 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 +3 3 Advance to Round 2
2 L2 Crewe Alexandra 2 1 0 0 1 6 5 +1 3
3 L2 Harrogate Town 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 ACA Liverpool U21 1 0 0 0 1 1 5 −4 0
Updated to match(es) played on 3 September 2024. Source: EFL

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

3 September 2024 First round Blackpool 4–1 Crewe Alexandra Blackpool
19:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 1,474
Referee: Martin Woods

Transfers

[edit]

In

[edit]
Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
27 June 2024 LB Wales Zac Ashworth England West Bromwich Albion Undisclosed [33]
27 June 2024 LB England Hayden Coulson England Middlesbrough Undisclosed [34]
1 July 2024[a] CF England Ashley Fletcher England Watford Free [8]
1 July 2024[b] CF Scotland Jordan Rhodes England Huddersfield Town Free [7]
8 July 2024 CM Wales Lee Evans Free agency [9]
8 August 2024 AM England Elliot Embleton England Sunderland Undisclosed [35]
  1. ^ The transfer was announced on 20 June, and would become official on 1 July once his Watford contract expired
  2. ^ The transfer was announced on 3 June, and would become official on 1 July once his Huddersfield Town contract expired

Out

[edit]
Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.
23 July 2024 CF England Zak Emmerson England FC Halifax Town Undisclosed [10]
23 August 2024 GK England Dan Grimshaw England Plymouth Argyle Undisclosed [36]

Loaned in

[edit]
Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
5 August 2024 CB Indonesia Elkan Baggott England Ipswich Town End of season [37]
13 August 2024 CF England Dom Ballard England Southampton End of season [38]
27 August 2024 GK England Harry Tyrer England Everton End of season [39]
30 August 2024 RB England Odeluga Offiah England Brighton & Hove Albion End of season [40]

Loaned out

[edit]
Date Pos. Player To Until Ref.
26 July 2024 LW England Josh Miles England Warrington Town 31 October 2024 [41]
9 August 2024 RB England Kwaku Donkor England Welling United 1 November 2024 [42]
9 August 2024 RB England Jack Moore England Tamworth 8 September 2024 [43]
30 August 2024 CF England Kylian Kouassi England Salford City End of season [44]
2 September 2024 CB England Dan Sassi England Rochdale 28 October 2024 [45]
13 September 2024 RB England Jack Moore England Chorley 1 January 2025 [46]

Released / out of contract

[edit]
Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join date Ref.
14 June 2024 LW Scotland Owen Moffat Scotland Greenock Morton 18 June 2024 [47]
30 June 2024 DM England Callum Connolly England Stockport County 1 July 2024 [48][49]
30 June 2024 CB England Marvin Ekpiteta Scotland Hibernian 1 July 2024 [48][50]
30 June 2024 CF Northern Ireland Shayne Lavery England Cambridge United 1 July 2024 [48][51]
30 June 2024 CM England Matty Virtue England Fleetwood Town 1 July 2024 [48][52]
30 June 2024 GK England Mackenzie Chapman None by 1 July 2024 [48]
30 June 2024 CM England Dannen Francis None by 1 July 2024 [48]
30 June 2024 CF England Brad Holmes None by 1 July 2024 [48]
30 June 2024 CM England Donovan Lescott None by 1 July 2024 [48]
30 June 2024 CM Wales Luke Mariette None by 1 July 2024 [48]
30 June 2024 CB England Will Squires None by 1 July 2024 [48]
30 June 2024 AM Cyprus Tayt Trusty None by 1 July 2024 [48]

Statistics

[edit]

Appearances and goals

[edit]
As of match played 17 September 2024

Players with no appearances are not included on the list
Italics indicate a loaned in player

No. Pos Nat Player Total League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Richard O'Donnell 5 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 3+0 0 0+0 0
3 DF England ENG James Husband 7 3 5+0 3 0+0 0 1+1 0 0+0 0
4 DF England ENG Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel 6 0 2+1 0 0+0 0 1+1 0 0+1 0
5 DF England ENG Matthew Pennington 7 2 3+0 0 0+0 0 3+0 2 1+0 0
6 MF Grenada GRN Oliver Norburn 7 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 0+1 0
7 MF Wales WAL Lee Evans 7 1 5+0 0 0+0 0 0+2 1 0+0 0
8 MF England ENG Albie Morgan 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
9 FW Scotland SCO Kyle Joseph 8 2 5+0 2 0+0 0 1+2 0 0+0 0
10 MF England ENG Sonny Carey 7 1 2+2 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 1+0 1
11 FW England ENG Ashley Fletcher 7 1 3+1 1 0+0 0 1+1 0 1+0 0
12 DF Indonesia IDN Elkan Baggott 3 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
14 MF England ENG Elliot Embleton 9 0 0+5 0 0+0 0 3+0 0 1+0 0
15 DF England ENG Hayden Coulson 7 1 3+1 0 0+0 0 1+2 1 0+0 0
16 FW Scotland SCO Jordan Rhodes 7 1 1+4 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 1
18 FW England ENG Jake Beesley 7 2 0+3 1 0+0 0 3+0 1 1+0 0
19 FW England ENG Dom Ballard 5 1 3+1 1 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
20 DF England ENG Oliver Casey 7 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 2+1 0 1+0 0
22 MF Republic of Ireland IRL CJ Hamilton 7 3 4+1 1 0+0 0 0+1 0 1+0 2
23 DF England ENG Dominic Thompson 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
24 DF England ENG Odel Offiah 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
25 FW Scotland SCO Rob Apter 8 0 3+2 0 0+0 0 2+1 0 0+0 0
26 DF Wales WAL Zac Ashworth 6 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 3+0 0 1+0 0
28 MF England ENG Ryan Finnigan 4 1 1+0 0 0+0 0 1+2 1 0+0 0
30 GK England ENG Harry Tyrer 2 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
39 DF England ENG Alex Lankshear 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
40 MF England ENG Theo Upton 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
42 MF England ENG Spencer Knight 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
Players who featured but departed the club permanently during the season:
32 GK England ENG Daniel Grimshaw 2 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Club Statement | Neil Critchley". Blackpool FC. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Steve Bruce Appointed As Head Coach". Blackpool FC. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  3. ^ "The six things Blackpool need to quickly address this summer following play-off disappointment"Blackpool Gazette, 2 May 2024
  4. ^ "Current odds for next season reveals the work Blackpool have ahead of them with Wrexham and Rotherham United already highly tipped"Blackpool Gazette, 2 May 2024
  5. ^ FC, Blackpool (2024-09-03). "Steve Bruce Appointed As Head Coach". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  6. ^ "Pre-Season Details: 2024/25". Blackpool FC. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Rhodes Signs Permanently". Blackpool FC. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Pool Bring In Ashley Fletcher". Blackpool FC. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Seasiders Sign Lee Evans" – Blackpool F.C., 8 July 2024
  10. ^ a b "Emmerson Departs For Halifax". Blackpool FC. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Crawley Town 2-1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  12. ^ "Live Commentary - Burton Alb vs Blackpool | 13.08.2024". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  13. ^ "Blackpool 0-3 Stockport County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  14. ^ "Report: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Blackpool". Blackpool FC. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  15. ^ "Harry Tyrer: Blackpool sign Everton goalkeeper on season's loan". BBC Sport. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  16. ^ FC, Blackpool (2024-08-30). "Kouassi Joins Salford On Loan". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  17. ^ "Blackpool vs Wycombe Wanderers: League One". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  18. ^ "Blackpool vs Crewe Alexandra: EFL Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  19. ^ FC, Blackpool (2024-09-03). "Steve Bruce Appointed As Head Coach". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  20. ^ "Blackpool 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Di'Shon Bernard goal sends Owls through". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  21. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  22. ^ "Birmingham start League One campaign against Reading". British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Wycombe Fixture Selected For Sky Sports+ Coverage". Blackpool FC. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Huddersfield Town Fixture Rearranged". Blackpool FC. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Huddersfield Town Fixture Postponed". Blackpool FC. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed". English Football League. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Carabao Cup Round Two draw confirmed". English Football League. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Blackburn Cup Tie Confirmed". Blackpool FC. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Carabao Cup Round Three draw confirmed". English Football League. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Carabao Cup Tie Confirmed". Blackpool FC. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  31. ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2024/25 Bristol Street Motors Trophy". English Football League. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group Stage confirmed". English Football League. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Seasiders Sign Zac Ashworth". Blackpool FC. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Coulson Joins On Permanent Basis". Blackpool FC. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Elliot Embleton Returns" – Blackpool F.C., 8 August 2024
  36. ^ "Grimshaw Joins Plymouth Argyle". Blackpool FC. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Elkan Baggott Joins On Loan". Blackpool FC. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Dom Ballard Joins On Loan". Blackpool FC. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Pool Bring In Harry Tyrer". Blackpool FC. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Odeluga Offiah Joins On Loan". Blackpool FC. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Josh Miles Joins Warrington Town On Loan". Blackpool FC. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Kwaku Donkor Joins Welling United On Loan". Blackpool FC. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Jack Moore Joines Tamworth On Loan". Blackpool FC. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Kouassi Joins Salford On Loan". Blackpool FC. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Sassi Joins Rochdale AFC On Loan". Blackpool FC. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  46. ^ "Jack Moore Joins Chorley On Loan". Blackpool FC. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  47. ^ "Owen Moffat Departs". Blackpool FC. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Retailed List Confirmed". Blackpool FC. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  49. ^ "Connolly signs two year deal with County". Stockport County FC. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  50. ^ "Marvin Ekpiteta Joins Hibs!". Hibernian FC. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  51. ^ "Shayne Lavery joins the U's". Cambridge United FC. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  52. ^ "Matty Virtue becomes Town's first signing of the summer!". Fleetwood Town FC. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.