View source for Blackpool F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{About|the men's football club|the women's team|Blackpool F.C. Ladies}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Blackpool F.C.
| nickname = {{Plainlist|
* The Seasiders
* The Tangerines
}}
| fullname = Blackpool Football Club
| short name = Blackpool
| image = Blackpool FC logo.svg
| upright = 0.8
| caption = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|p=yes|1887|7|26}}<ref name="Brown resigns">{{Cite book |last=Calley |first=Roy |title=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992 |title-link=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992 |date=20 October 1992 |publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd |isbn=1-873626-07-X}}</ref>
| owntitle = Owner
| owner = [[Simon Sadler (businessman)|Simon Sadler]]
| manager = [[Ian Evatt]]
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| ground = [[Bloomfield Road]]
| capacity = {{Circa}} 16,500<ref name="Capacity, April 2025">{{cite web |title= Visiting Bloomfield Road |url= https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/visiting-bloomfield-road/ |website= blackpoolfc.co.uk |location= |publisher= Blackpool F.C. |access-date= 7 April 2025 |quote= With a capacity of just under 16,500, Bloomfield Road is one of the easiest and most accessible grounds to find.}}</ref>
| league = {{English football updater|Blackpoo}}
| season = {{English football updater|Blackpoo2}}
| position = {{English football updater|Blackpoo3}}
| website = {{URL|https://blackpoolfc.co.uk}}
| current = 2025–26 Blackpool F.C. season
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'''Blackpool Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in the [[seaside resort]] of [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England. The team competes in [[EFL League One]], the third tier of the [[English football league system]].

Founded in 1887, the club formerly played its home games at [[Raikes Hall]] and the [[Athletic Grounds (Blackpool)|Athletic Grounds]] before moving to [[Bloomfield Road]] in 1901. Blackpool were founder members of the [[Lancashire League (football)|Lancashire League]] in 1889 and were invited into the [[Football League Second Division]] in 1896. They failed re-election in 1899 but had their Football League membership reinstated the following year. From 1923 onwards, Blackpool have worn the [[Tangerine (color)|tangerine]] shade of orange shirts, traditionally accompanied by white shorts and tangerine socks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historicalkits.co.uk/Blackpool/Blackpool.htm|title=Blackpool – Historical Football Kits|publisher=Historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref>

Blackpool remained in the Second Division until they won the league title in 1929–30, though they were relegated after three seasons in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]]. Promoted again in 1936–37, the club entered a golden period under the stewardship of long-time manager [[Joe Smith (football forward, born 1889)|Joe Smith]]. Blackpool lost the [[1948 FA Cup final|1948]] and [[1951 FA Cup final|1951]] FA Cup finals before winning the competition in [[1953 FA Cup final|1953]], the so-called "[[Stanley Matthews|Matthews]] final", in which they beat [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] 4–3, overturning a 3–1 deficit in the closing stages of the game. That same year, four Blackpool players were in the [[England national football team|England team]] which lost against [[England v Hungary (1953)|Hungary]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]].<ref name="Brown resigns" /><ref name="Gillatt">{{Cite book |last=Gillatt |first=Peter |title=Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year |date=30 November 2009 |publisher=Pitch Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-905411-50-4}}</ref> In the 1950s they had four top-six finishes in the First Division, with their best position being runners-up to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 1955–56. In 1956, Stanley Matthews was the inaugural recipient of the [[Ballon d'Or]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 2008 |title=Ronaldo joins legendary list |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7743176.stm |access-date=4 December 2008 |archive-date=4 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204115549/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7743176.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Blackpool were relegated from the First Division in 1967, and again in 1971 after winning promotion in 1969–70. They dropped into the fourth tier after suffering relegations in 1978 and 1981, then gained promotion in 1984–85. They won the [[1971 Anglo-Italian Cup|1971 Anglo-Italian Cup final]], and remain the only Lancashire club to have won a European trophy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moffitt |first=Dominic |date=2021-06-05 |title=50 years on from when Blackpool won Lancashire's single European trophy |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/50-years-blackpool-won-lancashires-20689186 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}</ref>

Between 1987 and 2019, the club was owned by the Oyston family. In 1996, [[Owen Oyston]] was jailed for the rape and indecent assault of a 16-year-old girl four years earlier.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/oyston-gets-six-years-for-rape-1348681.html "Oyston gets six years for rape"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202054855/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/oyston-gets-six-years-for-rape-1348681.html |date=2 December 2017 }} – ''[[The Independent]]'', 23 May 1996</ref> His wife, Vicki, took over the chairmanship of the club during her husband's three-year prison term. The couple's son, [[Karl Oyston|Karl]], took over in 1999 and remained in the role for nineteen years. In 2018, after the Oyston family was found, in a [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] judgement, to have operated an "illegitimate stripping" of the club, paying out £26.77 million to companies they owned, Owen relieved Karl of his role and gave it to his daughter, Natalie. In June 2019, [[Simon Sadler (businessman)|Simon Sadler]], a 49-year-old Blackpool-born businessman, bought a 96.2% share in the club,<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/club/contact-us/ "Contact Us"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404002001/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/club/contact-us/ |date=4 April 2019 }} – BlackpoolFC.co.uk</ref> completely removing the Oyston family from any involvement.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/simon-sadler-announced-as-new-owner-of-blackpool-football-club-1-9821134 "Simon Sadler announced as new owner of Blackpool Football Club"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616230831/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/simon-sadler-announced-as-new-owner-of-blackpool-football-club-1-9821134 |date=16 June 2019 }} – ''The Gazette'', 13 June 2019</ref>

During the long years of Oyston ownership, Blackpool were relegated to the fourth tier in 1990, promoted via the play-offs in [[1992 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|1992]], then relegated again in 2000. Blackpool reached the [[Premier League]] in 2010, after becoming the first club to gain promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system; they won the [[2001 Football League Third Division play-off final|2001 Third Division play-offs]], [[2007 Football League One play-off final|2007 League One play-offs]] and the [[2010 Football League Championship play-off final|2010 Championship play-offs]]. They spent one season in the Premier League, under manager [[Ian Holloway]], and later suffered a double relegation into [[EFL League Two|League Two]] by 2016, though gained immediate promotion by winning the [[2017 EFL League Two play-off final|2017 League Two play-off final]], their sixth success in the format in eight finals. They remained in [[EFL League One|League One]] for four seasons, before winning promotion, again via the play-offs, in 2021. After two seasons in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]], they returned to League One in 2023, where they have since remained.

==History==
{{for|Blackpool's season-by-season statistics|List of Blackpool F.C. seasons}}
{{further|topic=this topic|History of Blackpool F.C. (1887–1962)|History of Blackpool F.C. (1962–present)}}
[[File:Blackpool FC League Performance.svg|thumb|A graph displaying Blackpool's finishing positions in the [[Football League]] from 1896 to the present]]

===Formation and early years (1877–1900)===
Football had developed in Blackpool by 1877, when Victoria F.C. were founded as a church club with a ground in Caunce Street. This team disbanded a few years later but some of its members are understood to have [[mergers and acquisitions|merged]] with old boys from St John's School to form a new club called Blackpool St John's. The two factions remained disunited, however, and on 26 July 1887, at a meeting in the Stanley Arms public house, the members resolved to wind up St John's and form a new club to represent the whole town. It was named Blackpool Football Club.

The new club managed to win two pieces of silverware in its first season in existence, [[1887–88 in English football|1887–88]]: the [[The Fylde|Fylde]] Cup and the [[Lancashire Junior Cup]].

At the conclusion of the following [[1888–89 in English football|1888–89]] season, Blackpool became founder members of the [[Lancashire League (football)|Lancashire League]]. In their first season in the competition, the club finished fifth out of the 13 member clubs. They finished as runners-up over the following three seasons (to [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] twice and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] once), before winning the championship themselves on their fourth attempt.

Blackpool's home at that point in time was [[Raikes Hall]] (also known as the Royal Palace Gardens), which was part of a large entertainment complex that included a theatre and a boating lake, amongst other attractions. This meant that the club's average attendances were around the 2,000 mark, making the club's formative years a financial success.<ref name="Brown resigns" />

After struggling to repeat the success of the 1893–94 season, the Blackpool board decided it was time to leave local football behind, so on 13 May 1896 the club became a [[limited company]] and applied for entry to the [[The Football League|Football League]].

Their application was successful, and for the club's debut season, [[Blackpool F.C. season 1896-97|1896–97]], they joined the 16-team [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]. Blackpool's first-ever Football League game took place on 5 September 1896, at [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]], which they lost 3–1 in front of around 1,500 spectators.<ref name="Brown resigns" /><ref name="gazette1240499">{{Cite news |date=2 November 2005 |title=Early Days in the Football League |work=[[Blackpool Gazette]] |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/history?articleid=1240499 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111060513/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/history?articleid=1240499 |archive-date=11 January 2009}}</ref>

For the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1897-98|1897–98]] campaign, the club played their home games at the [[Athletic Grounds (Blackpool)|Athletic Grounds]] (at the present-day [[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Stanley Park]]). They remained there for the first seven home games of [[Blackpool F.C. season 1898-99|1898–99]], before returning to Raikes Hall for the remaining 10.

After finishing third-bottom, the club were not re-elected at the end of the 1898–99 season, and spent the [[1899-1900 in English football|1899–1900]] term back in the Lancashire League. They finished third, and after the Football League's annual meeting, on 25 May 1900, were permitted back into Division Two. It was during this season out of the League that Blackpool amalgamated with local rivals South Shore and moved to [[Bloomfield Road]].

===Early 20th century (1900–1946)===
During the 10 seasons that followed, Blackpool could finish no higher than 12th place. The club's top goalscorers in the league included [[Bob Birket]] (10 goals in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1900-01|1900–01]]), [[Geordie Anderson]] (12 goals in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1901-02|1901–02]]) and [[Bob Whittingham]] (13 in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1908-09|1908–09]]).

At the end of [[Blackpool F.C. season 1910-11|1910–11]], the club found themselves in seventh place, thanks largely to [[Joe Clennell]]'s haul of 18 goals.

It was a case of "as you were", however, for the four seasons leading up to the [[First World War]], with finishing positions of 14th, 20th, 16th and 10th. For the last of those seasons, [[Joe Lane (footballer)|Joe Lane]] netted 28 goals.

The outbreak of war forced the cancellation of League football for four years, during which time regional competitions were introduced. When normality resumed, in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1919-20|1919–20]], Blackpool had appointed their first full-time manager in the form of [[Bill Norman (football manager)|Bill Norman]]. Norman guided the club to fourth-placed finishes in his first two league seasons in charge (he was installed as manager during the final inter-war season), with Lane again netting close to 30 goals in the former.

The club's form nosedived in the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1921-22|1921–22]] season, with a finishing position of 19th, before bouncing back to a fifth-placed finish the following campaign. [[Harry Bedford (footballer)|Harry Bedford]], who had joined the club from [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], was the country's top league scorer, with 32 goals to his name.

Bedford repeated the feat the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1923-24|following season]], this time under the watchful eye of new manager [[Frank Buckley (footballer)|Frank Buckley]], who replaced Bill Norman after his four years of service. Blackpool finished fourth in Buckley's first season in charge.

The [[Blackpool F.C. season 1924-25|1924–25]] season was not as successful; a 17th-placed finish tempered only slightly by the club's reaching the fourth round of the [[FA Cup]] for the first time. A single-goal defeat at fellow Lancastrians [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] ended ''the Seasiders''<nowiki>'</nowiki> run.

Buckley guided Blackpool to top-10 finishes in his final two seasons as manager – with [[Billy Tremelling]]'s 30 goals in the latter helping considerably – before he left to take the helm at [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]].

Buckley's replacement was [[Sydney Beaumont]], who took charge for the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1927-28|1927–28]] season, but he lasted only until the spring after the club finished in 19th position.

[[Harry Evans (football manager)|Harry Evans]] was installed as the new Blackpool manager, in an honorary capacity, for the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1928-29|1928–29]] campaign. Due in no small part to [[Jimmy Hampson]]'s 40 goals, the club finished eighth. In his [[Blackpool F.C. season 1929-30|second season]], Evans guided Blackpool to the Division Two championship (their only championship to date), finishing ahead of promotion rivals [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] by three and four points respectively. Hampson had bagged 45 of the club's 98 league goals.

Blackpool lasted only three seasons in the First Division. Two third-bottom finishes were followed by a last-placed finish, and the club returned to the Second Division.

The club's relegation prompted the Blackpool board to install a recognised manager, and they opted for [[Alex 'Sandy' MacFarlane|Sandy MacFarlane]]. MacFarlane occupied the [[Bloomfield Road]] hot seat for just two seasons, in which the club finished 11th and fourth. MacFarlane's final season, [[Blackpool F.C. season 1934-35|1934–35]], marked Jimmy Hampson's eighth successive (and final) season as Blackpool's top League goalscorer.

[[Joe Smith (footballer, 1889–1971)|Joe Smith]] was appointed Blackpool's sixth manager in August 1935, a role in which he remained for the next 23 years.

The club finished 10th in Smith's first season, with [[Bobby Finan]] taking over from Hampson as top scorer, with 34 goals. It was Smith's second season in charge, however, that marked the starting point of the success to come. Blackpool finished the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1936-37|1936–37]] season as runners-up in the Second Division to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] and were promoted back to the First Division.

Two seasons of Division One football were played before the [[Second World War]] intervened. Blackpool sat atop the table at the time the abandonment occurred.<ref name="rsssf1939">{{Cite web |title=Season 1939–40 (Abandoned) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1939-40.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328131102/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1939-40.html |archive-date=28 March 2010 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=27 January 2010 }}</ref> Regional competitions were implemented again between 1939 and 1945. For the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1945-46|1945–46]] season, after the war's conclusion, Blackpool spent one season in the [[Football League North and South|Football League North]].

===Post-Second World War (1946–1967)===
[[File:Voetbal Sparta tegen Blackpool met Stanley Matthews, Bestanddeelnr 908-8707.jpg|thumb|[[Sparta Rotterdam]] vs. Blackpool, August 1957]]

Scottish defender [[Hughie Kelly|Hugh Kelly]] had arrived at Blackpool in 1943, as had fellow defender [[Tommy Garrett (footballer)|Tommy Garrett]] in 1942. [[Striker (association football)|Forward]] [[Stan Mortensen]] joined the club after the war in 1946. Mortensen went on to become Blackpool's top League goalscorer for the next nine seasons, sharing the honour with [[Allan Brown (footballer, born 1926)|Allan Brown]] in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1952-53|1952–53]]. [[Stanley Matthews]], who became a regular source of goals for Mortensen, joined Blackpool in 1947, as did centre-forward [[Jackie Mudie]]. Goalkeeper [[George Farm]] signed in 1948, followed by outside-left [[Bill Perry (footballer)|Bill Perry]] in 1949. Kelly, Garrett, Matthews, Mudie, Farm and Perry would play with the club throughout the 1950s, the most successful decade in the club's history.

Post-war Blackpool reached the [[FA Cup final]] on three occasions, losing to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in [[1948 FA Cup Final|1948]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] [[1951 FA Cup final|three years later]], and winning it in [[1953 FA Cup final|1953]], captained by [[Harry Johnston (footballer, born 1919)|Harry Johnston]].

For the first and only time in the club's history, four Blackpool players (Johnston, Matthews, Mortensen and debutant [[Ernie Taylor (footballer born 1925)|Ernie Taylor]]) represented [[England National Football Team|England]] in the infamous [[1953 England vs Hungary football match|6–3 defeat]] by [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] on 25 November 1953. Of the four, only Matthews would ever represent his country again.

In [[Blackpool F.C. season 1955-56|1955–56]], and now captained by Kelly, Blackpool attained their highest-ever finish in the Football League: runners-up to Manchester United, despite losing their final four league games. It was a feat that could not be matched or bettered over the following two seasons, with fourth and seventh-placed finishes, and Smith left Blackpool as the club's most successful and longest-serving manager.

Smith was succeeded, in May 1958, by [[Ron Suart]], the first former ''Tangerine'' to return to the club as manager. In his first season, he led the club to eighth in the First Division and the sixth round of the [[FA Cup]]. A 23-year-old [[Ray Charnley]] topped the club's goalscoring chart with 20, in his first season as a professional, and went on to repeat the feat for seven of the eight seasons that followed.

The [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] came into existence in [[1960–61 in English football|1960–61]]. Blackpool were knocked out in the second round, the round in which they entered. The club's First Division status came under threat, but they managed to avoid relegation by one point, at the expense of [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]. Local arch-rivals [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] were the other club to make the drop.

In October 1961, Matthews, now aged 46, was sold back to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. Mid-table finishes in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1961-62|1961–62]] and [[Blackpool F.C. season 1962-63|1962–63]] (and an appearance in the League Cup semi-finals during the former) were offset by another lowly finish of 18th in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1963-64|1963–64]], with [[Alan Ball Jr.|Alan Ball]] top-scoring with 13 goals. Much of the same ensued over the following two seasons, before relegation finally occurred in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1966-67|1966–67]]. Blackpool finished bottom of the table, eight points adrift of fellow demotion victims [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]. Suart had resigned four months before the end of the season. His replacement was another former Blackpool player, [[Stan Mortensen]].

===Late 20th century (1967–2000)===
[[File:1971 Anglo-Italian Cup Winners - Blackpool FC (edited).jpg|thumb|[[1971 Anglo-Italian Cup]] winners Blackpool F.C.]]

Mortensen picked up the pieces for the club's first season back in the Second Division in 30 years, guiding them to a [[Blackpool F.C. season 1967-68|third-placed finish]]. They had gone into the final game of the season at [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] knowing that a win would likely secure a return to the First Division. They won 3–1, but once the premature celebrations had ended, they discovered that their nearest rivals, [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], had scored a last-minute winner at [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]. Q.P.R. were promoted by virtue of a better goal-average: 1.86, to Blackpool's 1.65.

At the end of the following [[Blackpool F.C. season 1968-69|1968–69]] campaign, the Blackpool board made the decision to sack Mortensen after just over two years in the job. Their decision was met by fans with shock and anger, as Mortensen was as popular a manager as he was a player.<ref name="Brown resigns" />

[[Les Shannon]], who spent the majority of his playing career with Blackpool's Lancashire rivals [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], was installed as manager for the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1969-70|1969–70]] season. In his first season, he succeeded where Mortensen had failed, by guiding the club back to the top flight as runners-up behind [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]]. Their promotion had been sealed after the penultimate game of the season, a 3–0 victory at rivals Preston North End, courtesy of a [[Fred Pickering]] [[Hat-trick#Association football|hat-trick]]. The result effectively relegated the hosts to the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]].

As quickly as Shannon had taken Blackpool up, he saw them return whence they came. The club finished at the foot of the table and were relegated back to Division Two, along with Burnley. Before the season's conclusion, Shannon was briefly replaced by [[Jimmy Meadows]] as [[caretaker manager]], who in turn was permanently replaced by [[Bob Stokoe]]. On 12 June 1971, well over a month after the conclusion of the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1970-71|League season]], Blackpool won the [[Anglo-Italian Cup]] with a 2–1 victory over [[Bologna F.C. 1909|Bologna]] in the final. This was achieved without the services of [[Jimmy Armfield]], who retired in May after 17 years and 627 appearances for the club.

Blackpool finished amongst the top 10 teams in the Second Division for six consecutive seasons, under three different managers: Stokoe, [[Harry Potts]] and [[Allan Brown (footballer, born 1926)|Allan Brown]]. Twice Blackpool narrowly missed promotion to Division One, by two points in 1974 and 1977.

In February 1978, midway through [[Blackpool F.C. season 1977-78|1977–78]], Brown's second season at the helm, Blackpool were seventh in the division. Having just beaten local rivals Blackburn Rovers 5–2, on 6 February 1978, Brown was sacked by chairman Billy Cartmell for personal reasons. The team won only one more game that season, which ended with their relegation to the [[Football League Third Division|Division Three]] for the first time in their history.

On 1 April 1978, with six games to go, Blackpool were in eighth place, nine points off the third relegation slot. On 25 April, with one game to go, Blackpool were 14th, three points above Cardiff City in the third relegation slot. Four days later, Blackpool completed their programme and were 16th with 37 points – two points clear of Leyton Orient in the third relegation slot, with a vastly superior goal difference (−1, which was four better than fifth-placed Blackburn Rovers). At that point, all the teams below Blackpool still had games to play, apart from bottom placed Hull City. The bottom of the Division Two table read:

{| class="toccolours"
!bgcolor=silver| Position
!bgcolor=silver| Team
!bgcolor=silver| Played
!bgcolor=silver| Points
|-
| 16 || Blackpool || 42 || 37
|-
| 17 || Charlton Athletic || 41 || 37
|-
| 18 || Millwall || 41 || 36
|-
| 19 || Cardiff City || 40 || 36
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| 20 || Leyton Orient || 40 || 35
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| 21 || Mansfield Town || 41 || 31
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| 22 || Hull City || 42 || 28
|}

The only other team in the division with games to play was Notts County, in 14th place with 38 points.

After Millwall achieved safety by beating already relegated Mansfield Town, the three remaining fixtures were Cardiff City v. Notts County, Leyton Orient v. Charlton Athletic, and Cardiff City v. Leyton Orient. Only one combination from the 27 possible outcomes of those three games would have resulted in all three teams getting more than 37 points and Blackpool being relegated. Inevitably, Cardiff City beat Notts County, Leyton Orient drew with Charlton and, in the final match, Leyton Orient, who up to that point had only won one away game all season, and had lost six out of their previous eight away games, with no wins, beat now-safe Cardiff City, who had lost only two home games all season and had won six out of their previous seven homes games, with no defeats. Blackpool were relegated with 37 points (the seven teams above them all having 38 ), and were not to return to the second tier for 29 years:

{| class="toccolours"
!bgcolor=silver| Position
!bgcolor=silver| Team
!bgcolor=silver| Played
!bgcolor=silver| Points
|-
| 16 || Millwall || 42 || 38
|-
| 17 || Charlton Athletic || 42 || 38
|-
| 18 || Bristol Rovers || 42 || 38
|-
| 19 || Cardiff City || 42 || 38
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| 20 || Blackpool || 42 || 37
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| 21 || Mansfield Town || 42 || 31
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| 22 || Hull City || 42 || 28
|}

Bob Stokoe returned for a second stint as manager for the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1978-79|1978–79]] campaign, at the end of which Blackpool finished mid-table. Stokoe resigned during the summer.

[[Stan Ternent]] became Blackpool's seventh manager in nine years, only to be replaced in February 1980 by [[Alan Ball Jr.|Alan Ball]], the popular former Blackpool midfielder who left the club for [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] 14 years earlier. Ball himself only lasted a year in the job, and departed when the club were relegated to the League's [[Football League Fourth Division|basement division]].

Allan Brown had taken over from Ball in February 1981, and he remained in charge for the following [[Blackpool F.C. season 1981-82|1981–82]] term. Blackpool finished twelfth in their first season in Division Four; however, unable to handle the pressure of the job,<ref name="Brown resigns" /> Brown resigned during the close season.

[[Sam Ellis (footballer)|Sam Ellis]] took over from Brown in June 1982, three years after he finished his playing career with [[Watford F.C.|Watford]]. His first season saw Blackpool finish 21st, with [[Dave Bamber]] topping the club's goalscoring chart for the second consecutive season with 10 strikes.

It was [[Blackpool F.C. season 1984-85|Ellis's third season]], however, that brought the success the club had been looking for. Blackpool finished second behind [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] and were back in Division Three.

The club managed to finish in the top half of the table for their first three seasons in the Third Division, but slipped to 19th in Ellis's seventh and final season in charge.

On 17 April 1986, the board of directors put the club on the market after councillors rejected plans to sell Bloomfield Road for a supermarket site in a £35&nbsp;million redevelopment scheme. The club was then sold to [[Owen Oyston]] for £1.

For the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1989-90|1989–90]] season, Blackpool appointed [[Jimmy Mullen (footballer born 1952)|Jimmy Mullen]] as manager. Mullen's reign last only 11 months, however, and he left the club after their relegation back to Division Four.

[[Graham Carr]] replaced Mullen, but his spell in the manager's seat was even shorter – just four months. He was sacked in November 1990 with Blackpool in 18th place.

Carr's replacement was his assistant, [[Billy Ayre]]. Ayre guided the team to a fifth-placed finish and qualification for the [[Football League play-offs|play-offs]]. They lost only five of their 30 league games that remained at the time of Ayre's appointment. The run included 13 consecutive home league wins in an eventual 24–game unbeaten run at [[Bloomfield Road]].<ref name="Brown resigns" /> The run was extended to 15 consecutive home wins at the start of the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1991–92|1991–92]] campaign, which remains the club record.

After beating [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] in the two-legged semi-finals of the play-offs, Blackpool [[Blackpool F.C. season 1990-91#Final|lost]] to [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] in the [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] final, on penalties after the score was tied 2–2 after regular and extra time.

The following [[Blackpool F.C. season 1991-92|1991–92]] season finished with Blackpool in fourth place, missing out on automatic promotion by one point, which meant another play-offs experience. This time they met [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] in the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1991-92#Semi-finals|semi-finals]] and won 2–1 on aggregate. They returned to Wembley, where they faced Scunthorpe United [[Blackpool F.C. season 1991-92#Final|in the final]], the team they knocked out of the play-offs 12 months earlier. Again the score was tied at the end of regular and extra time, but Blackpool were victorious in the penalty shootout and booked their place in the new Division Two.

Blackpool struggled in their first term back in the third tier of English football but pulled to safety in 18th place by the end. In late 1993 they were as high as fourth but tumbled down the table in the second half of that season to miss the drop by a whisker in 20th, avoiding relegation by virtue of a 4–1 victory over [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] on the final day of the season.<ref name="soccerbase219715">{{Cite web |title=Blackpool 4–1 Leyton Orient |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=219715 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602053129/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=219715 |archive-date=2 June 2008 |access-date=27 January 2010 |publisher=[[Racing Post|Soccerbase]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Ayre was sacked in the summer of 1994 and was replaced by [[Sam Allardyce]].

Allardyce led Blackpool to a mid-table finish in his [[Blackpool F.C. season 1994-95|first season]] and saw the club knocked out of both cup competitions at the first hurdle. [[Tony Ellis]] was the club's top scorer with 17 league goals.

The [[Blackpool F.C. season 1995-96|1995–96]] season saw Blackpool finish third and claim a place in the play-offs for the third time in six seasons. In the semi-finals, Blackpool travelled to [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] and won 2–0. Three days later, they hosted the Yorkshiremen at Bloomfield Road and lost 3–0. Blackpool remained in Division Two, and Allardyce was sacked not long afterwards.

In 1996, owner Oyston [[Owen Oyston#Rape case|was convicted of the rape]] of a 16-year-old girl.<ref name="bbc38101">{{Cite news |date=9 December 1997 |title=Tycoon's rape conviction stands |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/38101.stm |access-date=9 February 2015}}</ref>
Former [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] manager [[Gary Megson]] replaced Allardyce, and attained a seventh-placed finish in his [[Blackpool F.C. season 1996-97|only season in charge]]. [[Nigel Worthington]] succeeded Megson in the summer of 1997, and in the [[Northern Ireland|Northern Irishman]]'s two full campaigns in the hot seat, Blackpool finished 12th and 14th. Worthington resigned towards the end of the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1999-2000|1999–2000]] season, and his seat was filled by the former [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and [[England national football team|England]] midfielder [[Steve McMahon (footballer)|Steve McMahon]].

===Rise to the Premier League (2001–2010)===
[[File:Blackpool football club.jpg|thumb|[[Bloomfield Road]], Blackpool's home since 1899, during its reconstruction phase in the early part of the 21st century. This view is looking north]]

McMahon arrived too late to save the club from relegation to the Third Division (fourth tier) after a 22nd-placed finish in the table. In his [[Blackpool F.C. season 2000-01|first full season]] in charge, Blackpool were promoted to [[Football League Division Two|Division Two]] by winning the play-offs. The [[Blackpool F.C. season 2001-02|following season]] the club received its then record outgoing transfer fee; £1.75million from [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] for [[Brett Ormerod]], eclipsing the £600,000 [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|QPR]] paid for [[Trevor Sinclair]] eight years earlier. They also gained the first of two [[Football League Trophy]] wins in 2002 as Blackpool beat [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] 4–1 at the [[Millennium Stadium]]. Their second win was in 2004, this time beating [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] 2–0 again in [[Cardiff]]. In the summer following the Trophy win, McMahon resigned, believing he could not take the club any further with the budget he was being offered. [[Colin Hendry]] became the new manager, but was replaced by [[Simon Grayson]] in November 2005 after an unsuccessful stint which left Blackpool languishing just above the relegation zone of League One (third tier).

In the [[2006–07 FA Cup]] Blackpool reached the fourth round for the first time in 17 years, after beating [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]] 4–2 at [[Bloomfield Road]], but were knocked out by [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], 3–2 after a replay at [[Carrow Road]].<ref name="bbc634599">{{Cite news |date=13 February 2007 |title=Norwich 3–2 Blackpool (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/6349599.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104071413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/6349599.stm |archive-date=4 January 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> They finished in third place, and qualified for the play-offs, and as top scorers in League One with 76 goals.<ref name="soccerbase317">{{Cite web |title=Final 2006/2007 Football League One Table |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=3&seasonid=136&teamid=317 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602053119/http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=3&seasonid=136&teamid=317 |archive-date=2 June 2008 |access-date=27 January 2010 |publisher=[[Racing Post|Soccerbase]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> After beating [[Oldham Athletic F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] 5–2 on aggregate in the semi-final<ref name="bbc6649781">{{Cite news |date=19 May 2007 |title=Blackpool 3–1 Oldham Athletic |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/6649781.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912111018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6649781.stm |archive-date=12 September 2007 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> they met [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] in [[Blackpool F.C. season 2006-07#Final|the final]] at the new [[Wembley Stadium]], their first appearance at [[England national football team|England]]'s national stadium in 15 years. Blackpool won 2–0, a club-record 10th consecutive victory, and were promoted to [[Football League Championship|the Championship]] in their 100th overall season in the Football League.<ref name="bbc6686991">{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Ian |date=27 May 2007 |title=Yeovil 0–2 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/6686991.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913111424/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6686991.stm |archive-date=13 September 2007 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The promotion marked their return to English football's second tier for the first time in 29 years.

Blackpool knocked [[Premier League]] side [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] out of the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] at the second-round stage on 28 August 2007. The match ended 1–1 after 90 minutes and 2–2 after extra time. The Seasiders won the resulting penalty shootout 7–6.<ref name="bbc6963495">{{Cite news |date=28 August 2007 |title=Derby 2–2 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6963495.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025025518/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6963495.stm |archive-date=25 October 2007}}</ref> On 25 September, Blackpool beat [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] 2–1 after extra time<ref name="bbc7008008">{{Cite news |date=25 September 2007 |title=Blackpool 2–1 Southend (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008008.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407001721/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7008008.stm |archive-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> to reach the fourth round for the first time in 35 years. They were drawn away to Premiership side [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in the last 16, a match they lost 2–0.<ref name="bbc7065202">{{Cite news |date=31 October 2007 |title=Tottenham 2–0 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7065202.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103225129/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7065202.stm |archive-date=3 January 2009}}</ref> Tottenham went on to [[2008 Football League Cup final|win the competition]].

Blackpool finished the [[Blackpool F.C. season 2007-08|2007–08]] season in 19th place, escaping relegation by two points and ensuring their safety in a 1–1 draw with [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] on the final day of the Championship season.

On 23 December 2008, Simon Grayson left the club to join [[Football League One|League One]] club [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] after just over three years in charge at Bloomfield Road.<ref name="bbc7796182">{{Cite news |date=23 December 2008 |title=Grayson appointed Leeds manager |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7796182.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118011422/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7796182.stm |archive-date=18 January 2009}}</ref> Under the guidance of Grayson's assistant [[Tony Parkes]], as caretaker manager, Blackpool finished the [[Blackpool F.C. season 2008-09|2008–09]] campaign in 16th place. Parkes left the club on 18 May 2009 after a meeting with chairman Karl Oyston about finances.<ref name="bbc8056270">{{Cite news |date=19 May 2009 |title=Caretaker Parkes leaves Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8056270.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522204733/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8056270.stm |archive-date=22 May 2009}}</ref>

On 21 May 2009, [[Ian Holloway]] was appointed as manager, signing a one-year contract with the club with an option of a further year.<ref name="bbc8061441">{{Cite news |date=21 May 2009 |title=Blackpool unveil Holloway |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8061441.stm |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525012612/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8061441.stm |archive-date=25 May 2009}}</ref> On 31 July it was announced that club president [[Valērijs Belokoņs]] was setting up a new transfer fund, into which he was adding a "considerable amount" to invest in new players identified by Holloway.<ref name="bfc1739446">{{Cite news |date=31 July 2009 |title=Club Statement |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1739446,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=4 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804060702/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1739446%2C00.html |archive-date=4 August 2009}}</ref> Four days later Blackpool broke their [[List of Blackpool F.C. records and statistics#Record transfer-fee progression|transfer record]] by signing [[Charlie Adam (footballer born 1985)|Charlie Adam]] from Scottish champions [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] for {{pound sterling|500000|2009|round=-3|about=yes}},<ref name="bfc1742839">{{Cite news |date=4 August 2009 |title=Breaking News |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1742839,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=4 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807025602/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1742839%2C00.html |archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref> topping the £275,000 paid to [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] for [[Chris Malkin]] in 1996.

Blackpool finished the [[Blackpool F.C. season 2009–10|2009–10]] regular season in sixth place in the Championship, their highest finish in the Football League since [[Blackpool F.C. season 1970–71|1970–71]],<ref>Blackpool finished the [[1973–74 in English football|1973–74]] and [[1976–77 in English football|1976–77]] seasons in fifth place in Division 2. However, there were then 22 teams in the first tier, rather than 20 as at present.</ref> and claimed a spot in the play-offs. On 2 May 2010, the 57th anniversary of Blackpool's FA Cup final victory, Blackpool hosted [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] for the final League game of the season. They needed to match or better [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]'s result in their match at home to [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]]. Both matches ended in draws, with Swansea's [[Lee Trundle]] having a late goal disallowed for handball, which meant Blackpool secured the remaining play-off place.<ref name="bbc8644515">{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Anna |date=2 May 2010 |title=Blackpool 1–1 Bristol City |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8644515.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503170416/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8644515.stm |archive-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>

On 8 May, Blackpool beat [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] 2–1 at Bloomfield Road in the semi-final first leg.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite news |date=8 May 2010 |title=Blackpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659640.stm |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417105604/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659640.stm |archive-date=17 April 2012}}</ref> Three days later, they beat them 4–3 (6–4 on aggregate) at the [[City Ground]] in the second leg to progress to the final against Cardiff. The result meant Blackpool had beaten Forest in all four of the clubs' meetings in 2009–10.<ref name="bbc8659640">{{Cite news |date=11 May 2010 |title=Nottingham Forest 3–4 Blackpool (4–6 on aggregate) |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659640.stm |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417105604/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659640.stm |archive-date=17 April 2012}}</ref>

Blackpool defeated [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] 3–2 on 22 May in the [[2010 Football League Championship play-off final|Championship play-off final]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] to earn promotion to the [[Premier League]].<ref>[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpool-football-club/Blackpool-3-Cardiff-2-.6313441.jp "Blackpool 3 Cardiff 2"] ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]''</ref> It was Blackpool's debut appearance in the Premier League in its 18-year existence and their first appearance in English football's top flight in [[Blackpool F.C. season 1970–71|39 years]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8692465.stm "Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff City"]  – BBC Sport</ref> Blackpool had now, uniquely, been promoted through all three tiers of the [[Football League]] via the play-off system. Furthermore, they won all nine play-off games they were involved in during the 10 seasons between 2001 and 2010. The fixture was dubbed "the richest game in football", because the victorious club would receive a £90&nbsp;million windfall.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/championship/blackpool/7753957/Blackpool-have-a-rich-past-but-now-the-Premier-League-club-will-have-a-richer-future.html "Blackpool have a rich past but now the Premier League club will have a richer future"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526023807/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/championship/blackpool/7753957/Blackpool-have-a-rich-past-but-now-the-Premier-League-club-will-have-a-richer-future.html |date=26 May 2010 }} – ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''</ref> It was more than double the £36&nbsp;million that the winners of the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] received.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7132369.ece "http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7132369.ece"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522061103/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7132369.ece |date=22 May 2010 }} – ''[[The Times]]'', 21 May 2010</ref>

On 24 May, a promotion parade was held along Blackpool's promenade for the club's personnel, who travelled on an open-top [[double-decker bus]] from Gynn Square down the [[Golden Mile (Blackpool)|Golden Mile]] to the Waterloo Headland. The police estimated that about 100,000 people lined the route. At the Headland, the manager and squad took to a stage to address the gathered mass crowd. "This is the most unbelievable moment of my life," said Ian Holloway. "I've jumped on the best ride of my life and I don't want to go home."<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/8700401.stm "Seasiders in victory parade on promenade"]  – BBC News</ref><ref>[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Thousands-welcome-home-triumphant-Seasiders.6316283.jp "Thousands welcome home triumphant Seasiders"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527060257/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Thousands-welcome-home-triumphant-Seasiders.6316283.jp |date=27 May 2010 }} – ''Blackpool Gazette''</ref>

===Premier League campaign (2010–11)===
[[File:Blackpool F.C.'s positions in the Premier League after each round of the 2010-11.png|thumb|Blackpool F.C.'s positions in the Premier League after each round of the 2010–11 season]]

In their first-ever Premier League match on 14 August 2010, Blackpool defeated [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] 4–0 at the [[DW Stadium]]. The result saw ''the Seasiders'' at the top of the entire English football pyramid<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10974300 "Blackpool fans enjoy taste of Premier League success"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113003658/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10974300 |date=13 January 2016 }} – BBC Sport, 14 August 2010</ref> until [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]'s 6–0 victory over [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] later in the day. It was the first time they had been in such a position since they won their opening game of the [[1957–58 Blackpool F.C. season|1957–58]] [[Football League First Division|top-flight]] campaign.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8904972.stm "Wigan 0–4 Blackpool"]  – BBC Sport, 14 August 2010</ref> The initial fixture list had the game being played at Bloomfield Road, but the Premier League allowed the fixture to be reversed because construction work on Bloomfield Road's East Stand had not been completed in time.

On 27 January 2011, the Premier League fined Blackpool {{pound sterling|25000|2011|round=-3|about=yes}} for fielding what they believed to be a weakened team against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] on 10 November. Ian Holloway, who initially threatened to resign if punishment was dealt, had made 10 changes to the team for the fixture. The club had 14 days to appeal against the decision<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/9378679.stm "Blackpool fined £25,000 by Premier League"]  – BBC Sport, 27 January 2011</ref> but chose not to, with Karl Oyston saying that if the punishment was upheld there was a threat of a point deduction and an increase in the fine.<ref>[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/oyston_reveals_points_deduction_threat_1_3102668 "Oyston reveals points deduction threat"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223192933/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/oyston_reveals_points_deduction_threat_1_3102668 |date=23 February 2011 }} – ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'', 21 February 2011</ref>

On 22 May 2011, exactly 365 days after their promotion, Blackpool were relegated back to the Championship after losing 4–2 at champions Manchester United on the final day of the season, though results elsewhere also impacted the final league standings.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/13444164.stm "Man Utd 4–2 Blackpool"]  – BBC Sport, 22 May 2011</ref> Despite predictions that they "wouldn't get 10 points,"<ref>[http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ian-Holloway-vows-to-prove-Blackpool-doubters-wrong-ahead-of-Premier-League-campaign-article472261.html "Holloway vows to prove Blackpool doubters wrong"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002182948/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ian-Holloway-vows-to-prove-Blackpool-doubters-wrong-ahead-of-Premier-League-campaign-article472261.html |date=2 October 2013 }} – ''Daily Mirror'', 17 June 2010</ref> Blackpool took 39 from their 38 games, including home<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9345343.stm "Blackpool 2 – 1 Liverpool"]  – BBC Sport, 12 January 2011</ref> and away<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9044591.stm "Liverpool 1 – 2 Blackpool"]  – BBC Sport, 3 October 2010</ref> victories over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], consecutive away wins at [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9264798.stm "Stoke 0 – 1 Blackpool"]  – BBC Sport, 11 December 2010</ref> and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]],<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9317216.stm "Sunderland 0 – 2 Blackpool"]  – BBC Sport, 28 December 2010</ref> and a home victory over [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9398472.stm "Blackpool 3 – 1 Tottenham"]  – BBC Sport, 22 February 2011</ref> Seven of their 10 overall wins were obtained before the new year, and at the end of 2010 they sat in eighth place; however, seven defeats in the opening eight fixtures of 2011 saw them drop down the table. The next match, a draw at home Aston Villa, left them in 15th, their lowest placing of the campaign to date. Another run of defeats – this time five in six – put them in the relegation zone for the first time.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9455799.stm "Blackpool 1 – 3 Wigan"]  – BBC Sport, 16 April 2011</ref> They climbed out of the bottom three, at the expense of Wigan Athletic, with successive home draws against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. Blackpool dropped back into the relegation zone after conceding a late equaliser to draw at Tottenham, switching places with Wolves; they were level on points with Wigan and three ahead of bottom club [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]. A victory, their first in three months, over [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], in their penultimate league fixture, was not enough to change the position as [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]] won at [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. Blackpool went to [[Old Trafford]] for the final match and were leading 2–1 12 minutes into the second half, but Manchester United, who were crowned champions a week earlier, took control and won 4–2 to condemn 19th-placed Blackpool to relegation along with [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] and West Ham United.

===Fall to the fourth tier (2011–2017)===
In July 2011, Blackpool smashed their outgoing transfer record when Charlie Adam signed for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in a £7-million deal (equivalent to about £{{inflation|UK|7|2011}}M in {{inflation/year|UK}}).<ref>[http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/News-Liverpool-signing-Charlie-Adam-ready-to-give-Kenny-Dalglish-a-slection-headache-after-his-move-from-Blackpool-says-Luke-Varney-article763375.html "Adam ready to give Dalglish selection headache"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015618/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/News-Liverpool-signing-Charlie-Adam-ready-to-give-Kenny-Dalglish-a-slection-headache-after-his-move-from-Blackpool-says-Luke-Varney-article763375.html |date=11 July 2011 }} – ''Daily Mirror'', 9 July 2011</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14051735 "Liverpool complete deal for Blackpool's Charlie Adam"] – BBC Sport, 8 July 2011</ref> A portion of these funds was used to bring former [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]], [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] and Birmingham captain [[Barry Ferguson]] to Bloomfield Road, where he once again assumed the armband.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 August 2011 |title=Barry Ferguson to be Blackpool captain |work=[[The Scotsman]] |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/barry_ferguson_to_be_blackpool_captain_1_1777936 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152737/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/barry_ferguson_to_be_blackpool_captain_1_1777936 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> On 9 May 2012, Blackpool secured their place in the Championship play-off final in their second consecutive season in the division after beating [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17919423 "Birmingham 2 – 2 Blackpool"]  – BBC Sport, 9 May 2012</ref> They met West Ham United in the final at Wembley on 19 May, losing 2–1, conceding a last-gasp goal to ''the Hammers''{{'}} [[Ricardo Vaz Tê]], their first play-off final reversal in 21 years.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18044378 "Blackpool 1 – 2 West Ham"]  – BBC Sport, 19 May 2012</ref>

On 3 November 2012, Ian Holloway decided to leave Blackpool after accepting an offer from fellow Championship club [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] to be their manager.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20176036 "Ian Holloway accepts Crystal Palace manager role"]  – BBC Sport, 3 November 2012</ref> He was replaced four days later by [[Michael Appleton]], who left League One side [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] to take up the position; however, after being in charge for just two months, Appleton left for Lancashire neighbours [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], becoming the shortest-serving manager in Blackpool's history. On 18 February, after just over a month without an appointment, the club made former England captain [[Paul Ince]] their third manager of the campaign.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21497896 "Paul Ince: Blackpool appoint former England captain as boss"]  – BBC Sport, 18 February 2013</ref> It was under Ince that the club made their best-ever start to a league season. Their victory at [[AFC Bournemouth]] on 14 September 2013 gave them 16 points out of a possible 18. The sequence of results was two wins, a draw, and three wins.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23999380 "Bournemouth 1 – 2 Blackpool"], BBC Sport, 14 September 2013</ref> This was countered by a run of nine defeats in 10 games, which resulted in Ince being sacked on 21 January 2014, 11 months into his tenure.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25828840 "Paul Ince: Blackpool boss sacked after less than a year in charge"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105101104/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25828840 |date=5 January 2016 }} – BBC Sport, 21 January 2014</ref>

Barry Ferguson was named caretaker manager upon Ince's dismissal. Of Ferguson's 20 league games in charge, Blackpool won just three and finished the [[2013–14 Blackpool F.C. season|2013–14]] season in 20th place.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27167522 "Blackpool 0–3 Charlton"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105101104/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27167522 |date=5 January 2016 }} – BBC Sport, 3 May 2014</ref> On 11 June 2014, almost five months after Paul Ince's dismissal, the club appointed Belgian [[José Riga]] as manager. He was Blackpool's first overseas manager.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27664334|title=Jose Riga: Blackpool confirm ex-Charlton Athletic boss as manager|work=BBC Sport|date=11 June 2014|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413144745/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27664334|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prior to the start of [[2014–15 in English football|the 2014–15 season]] Blackpool suffered a major crisis with some 27 players leaving the club; just two weeks before the season started, the club had only eight outfield players and no goalkeeper.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28194124 "Blackpool: From the Premier League to having eight players"]  – BBC Sport, 14 July 2014</ref> Riga was able to assemble a squad in time for Blackpool's first game against [[Nottingham Forest]], but could still only name four substitutes instead of the permitted seven.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28724446 "Blackpool: Jose Riga says he had nine eligible players before opener"]  – BBC Sport, 9 August 2014</ref> Blackpool lost the match 2–0. On 27 October 2014, after 15 games in charge, Riga was sacked and replaced by [[Lee Clark (footballer)|Lee Clark]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2014 |title=Lee Clark: Blackpool appoint ex-Birmingham City manager |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29821926 |url-status=live |access-date=30 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031161048/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29821926 |archive-date=31 October 2014}}</ref>

On 6 April 2015, with six league fixtures remaining, Blackpool were relegated to League One.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32197627 "Blackpool relegated from Championship"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105101104/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32197627 |date=5 January 2016 }} – BBC Sport, 6 April 2015</ref> On 2 May 2015, the final match of the Championship season against Huddersfield Town was abandoned in the 48th minute following an on-pitch protest by hundreds of Blackpool supporters regarding the actions and management style of the directors and owners. The Football League subsequently declared the result the 0–0 scoreline it was at the time of abandonment, which meant Blackpool finished the season with 26 points.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32737770 "Blackpool charged over pitch invasion in Huddersfield draw"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105101104/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32737770 |date=5 January 2016 }} – BBC Sport, 14 May 2015</ref> Following the resignation of [[Lee Clark (footballer)|Lee Clark]] on 9 May 2015, Blackpool appointed [[Neil McDonald (footballer)|Neil McDonald]] as manager on 2 June.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11728/9873457/blackpool-appoint-neil-mcdonald-as-their-new-manager|title=Blackpool appoint Neil McDonald as their new manager|work=Sky Sports|date=2 June 2015|access-date=25 February 2023|archive-date=25 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225032759/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11728/9873457/blackpool-appoint-neil-mcdonald-as-their-new-manager|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2016, a second successive relegation occurred, which put Blackpool in the bottom tier of English professional football for the first time in 15 years. Less than two weeks later, Neil McDonald was sacked as manager.<ref>[http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-3118605.aspx "Club Statement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518184210/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-3118605.aspx |date=18 May 2016 }} – Blackpool FC, 18 May 2016</ref> He was replaced by [[Gary Bowyer]], the club's eighth manager in three-and-a-half years.

In late 2016, as the [[United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal|sexual abuse scandal]] developed, former Blackpool player [[Paul Stewart (footballer, born 1964)|Paul Stewart]] alleged he had been abused by Frank Roper, a coach associated with Blackpool in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 2016 |title=Identity of paedophile football coach revealed |work=ITV News |publisher=ITV |url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-12-01/identity-of-paedophile-football-coach-revealed/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202103818/http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-12-01/identity-of-paedophile-football-coach-revealed/ |archive-date=2 December 2016}}</ref>

In May 2017, under Bowyer, Blackpool won promotion to League One after beating [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] 2–1 at Wembley in the play-off final. The victory meant that Blackpool became the most successful side in English play-off history, winning their fifth final.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39989418|title=Blackpool 2-1 Exeter City|work=BBC Sport|last=Law|first=James|location=Wembley|date=28 May 2017|access-date=25 February 2023|archive-date=25 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225035618/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39989418|url-status=live}}</ref>

===End of the Oyston era (2017–2019)===

On 10 November 2017, Blackpool was put up for sale by the Oyston family. The sale included the club itself and the properties division that owns Bloomfield Road stadium.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41944602 Blackpool: Oyston family puts the League One club up for sale after 31-year ownership]. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41944602] BBC SPORT. Published 10 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/updated-blackpool-fc-put-on-the-market-1-8851528 UPDATED: Blackpool FC put on the market]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111095227/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/updated-blackpool-fc-put-on-the-market-1-8851528 |date=11 November 2017}} ''Blackpool Gazette''. Author – Michael Holmes. Published 10 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/10/blackpool-football-club-for-sale-oyston-family Blackpool fans celebrate after club is put up for sale by Oyston family]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111043153/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/10/blackpool-football-club-for-sale-oyston-family |date=11 November 2017}} ''The Guardian''. Author – Ben Fisher. Published 10 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.</ref>

On 2 February 2018, Owen Oyston relieved Karl Oyston of his role as chairman and appointed his 32-year-old daughter, Natalie Christopher, in his place, just two weeks after appointing her to the club's board.<ref name="guardianfeb">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/02/karl-oyston-steps-down-chairman-blackpool "Karl Oyston steps down as chairman of Blackpool in apparent rift"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707022807/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/02/karl-oyston-steps-down-chairman-blackpool |date=7 July 2019 }} – ''The Guardian'', 2 February 2018</ref>

Gary Bowyer resigned in August 2018 after two years in charge, after the first game of the season for undisclosed reasons.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/club-statement-gary-bowyer/ "Club Statement: Gary Bowyer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806210722/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/club-statement-gary-bowyer/ |date=6 August 2018 }} – Blackpool F.C.'s official website, 6 August 2018</ref> He was replaced with his assistant [[Terry McPhillips]] as caretaker manager. McPhillips was made the permanent manager a month later.

On 13 February 2019, the football club was put into [[receivership]] by the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]], which forced Owen Oyston to pay ex-director Valērijs Belokoņs some of the £25m he was owed. Oyston was removed from the board of the club by the receiver on 25 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 2019 |title=Blackpool: Owner Owen Oyston removed from board by receiver |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47360416 |access-date=25 February 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225222001/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47360416 |url-status=live }}</ref> The receiver was tasked with discharging some of Oyston's assets, as well as Blackpool Football Club (Properties) Ltd, which owns the football club. The ruling could have resulted in the club being deducted 12 league points; however, this was eventually ruled against by the [[English Football League|EFL]] on 11 April 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 2019 |title=Blackpool: EFL chooses not to impose 12-point deduction after receivers appointed |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47899636 |access-date=12 April 2019 |archive-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412133202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47899636 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Under new ownership (2019–present) ===
On 13 June 2019, Simon Sadler was announced as the new owner of the club, officially ending the Oystons' 32-year tenure, purchasing a 96.2% stake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Club Statement: New Owner |url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/club-statement-new-owner/ |access-date=13 June 2019 |website=blackpoolfc.co.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613184147/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/club-statement-new-owner/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sadler was born and raised in Blackpool and has worked in asset management in [[Hong Kong]] since 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 June 2019 |title=Blackpool: Simon Sadler announced as new owner of League One club |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48624659 |access-date=14 June 2019 |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706144407/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48624659 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the founder and Chief Investment Officer of [[Segantii Capital Management]].<ref>[https://hk.linkedin.com/in/simon-sadler-98875114a Simon Sadler – Founder and Chief Investment Officer – Segantii Capital Management] – LinkedIn</ref>

Terry McPhillips resigned as Blackpool manager on 5 July 2019, having informed the club's board that he had no long-term desire to be a manager.<ref name="BlackpoolOut">{{Cite news |date=5 July 2019 |title=Terry McPhillips: Blackpool manager steps down after one season in charge |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48888739 |access-date=6 July 2019 |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706115827/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48888739 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was replaced by [[Simon Grayson]], who returned for a second spell in charge;<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 2019 |title=Simon Grayson: Blackpool re-appoint former Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston boss |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48894385 |access-date=6 July 2019 |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706144426/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48894385 |url-status=live }}</ref> however, after a long run of defeats, he was sacked on 12 February 2020. Grayson's last game in charge was a 3–2 home loss to Gillingham.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/club-statement-simon-grayson/ Club statement: Simon Grayson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212215509/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/club-statement-simon-grayson/ |date=12 February 2020 }} – Blackpool F.C., 12 February 2020</ref> Liverpool U23s manager [[Neil Critchley]] was appointed head coach – the first such role for the club – as his replacement on 2 March 2020.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/march/neil-critchley-appointed-new-head-coach/ "Neil Critchley Appointed New Head Coach"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724174332/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/march/neil-critchley-appointed-new-head-coach/ |date=24 July 2020 }} – Blackpool F.C., 2 March 2020</ref> After a curtailed regular season due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]], Blackpool finished the [[2019–20 Blackpool F.C. season|2019–20 season]] in 13th position after standings were amended to reflect a points-per-game ratio.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52705124 "League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615090614/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52705124 |date=15 June 2020 }} – BBC Sport, 9 May 2020</ref>

At the end of [[2020–21 in English football|the following campaign]], Blackpool were promoted back to the second tier of English football, after a six-year absence, after winning the [[2021 EFL League One play-off final]]. It was Blackpool's sixth victory in a play-off final in eight such appearances.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57216464 Blackpool 2–1 Lincoln City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530220033/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57216464 |date=30 May 2021 }} – BBC Sport, 30 May 2021</ref>

The 2021-22 season saw Blackpool secure a sixteenth-place finish in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]]. On 2 June 2022, Neil Critchley resigned from his role as head coach and joined Aston Villa as assistant head coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/02/villa-announce-critchley-appointment/ | title=Aston Villa announce Neil Critchley appointment | date=2 June 2022 | access-date=2 June 2022 | archive-date=2 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602155556/https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/02/villa-announce-critchley-appointment/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Critchley told Simon Sadler he was keen to work again with [[Steven Gerrard]] and "pit himself against some of the best coaches in the world".<ref name="James">{{Cite web |last=James |first=Alex |date=2022-06-17 |title=Sadler's message to fans in response to Appleton appointment negativity |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/michael-appleton-blackpool-simon-sadler-24253906 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=LancsLive |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191031/https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/michael-appleton-blackpool-simon-sadler-24253906 |url-status=live }}</ref> Just over two weeks later, the club appointed its former manager Michael Appleton as Critchley's successor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Michael Appleton Appointed Head Coach |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/17/michael-appleton-appointed-head-coach/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Blackpool FC |date=17 June 2022 |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617101909/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/17/michael-appleton-appointed-head-coach/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Appleton was sacked seven months later, on 18 January 2023, after the club managed one win in eleven games.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Blackpool sack Appleton after one win in 11 games |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64317051 |access-date=2023-01-19 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119114511/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64317051 |url-status=live }}</ref> Veteran [[Mick McCarthy]] was appointed to oversee the rest of the season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/19/blackpool-football-club-appoint-mick-mccarthy-as-head-coach/|title=Blackpool Football Club appoint Mick McCarthy as Head Coach|website=www.blackpoolfc.co.uk|date=19 January 2023|accessdate=19 January 2023|archive-date=19 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119174158/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/19/blackpool-football-club-appoint-mick-mccarthy-as-head-coach/|url-status=live}}</ref> but an Easter Monday defeat at home to fellow strugglers [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] ended his spell in charge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Club Statement {{!}} Mick McCarthy |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/08/club-statement---mick-mccarthy/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Blackpool FC |date=8 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422112833/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/08/club-statement---mick-mccarthy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Interim manager and former ''Seasiders'' striker [[Stephen Dobbie]] could not keep them in the division. Blackpool were relegated to League One after a home defeat to Millwall on 28 April 2023.<ref name="BBC-28Apr2023">{{cite news |title=Blackpool 2-3 Millwall |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65344699 |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2023 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505212524/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65344699 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neil Critchley returned for a second spell as manager in the summer, and the following [[2023–24 Blackpool F.C. season|2023–24]] season saw an eighth-placed finish in League One, two places outside the play-off positions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Resurgent Royals end Seasiders' play-off dreams |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68862402 |access-date=2024-04-28 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was sacked in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |date=2024-08-21 |title=Club Statement {{!}} Neil Critchley |url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/21/club-statement---neil-critchley/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}</ref> On 3 September 2024, [[Steve Bruce]] was appointed as head coach.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |date=2024-09-03 |title=Steve Bruce Appointed As Head Coach |url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2024/september/03/steve-bruce-appointed-as-head-coach/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2025, it was revealed that Sadler was looking to sell the club as he faces accusations of insider trading with Segantii.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Kaye |last2=Agini |first2=Samuel |date=2025-01-04 |title=Segantii founder Simon Sadler looks to sell Blackpool FC |url=https://www.ft.com/content/735533a5-8497-461c-9896-0673e5e2b746 |access-date=2025-01-05 |work=Financial Times}}</ref> After achieving a ninth-placed finish in the [[2024–25 Blackpool F.C. season|2024–25]] season, Bruce was sacked as head coach on 4 October 2025 with the club second-bottom of League One.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blackpool sack veteran boss Bruce after poor start |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9317e4gk88o |access-date=5 October 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2025}}</ref> Former Blackpool captain Ian Evatt was appointed as Bruce's replacement on 21 October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Blackpool FC |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}</ref>

==Colours==
{{Commons|Blackpool F.C. kits}}
Blackpool first began wearing tangerine for the [[Blackpool F.C. season 1923-24|1923–24]] season, after a recommendation from referee Albert Hargreaves, who officiated an international match between [[Netherlands national football team|the Netherlands]] and [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] and was impressed by the Dutchmen's colours.<ref name="Calley p. 18">{{Cite book |last=Calley |first=Roy |title=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992 |title-link=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992 |date=20 October 1992 |publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd |isbn=1-873626-07-X |pages=18}}</ref>

Before changing to tangerine permanently, the team tried several different colours: blue-and-white striped shirts in the 1890s (becoming known as ''the'' Merry Stripes); a mixture of red or white shirts at the turn of the 20th century; and, during the First World War, black, yellow and red. The latter was adopted to include the colours of the flag of [[Belgium]], a show of support for the large number of Belgian refugees that had arrived in the town. After the war, they wore white shirts and navy-blue shorts. The board introduced another change in 1934 when the team appeared in alternating dark- and light-blue stripes (which have been reintroduced several times in the mid-1990s and 2002, for Blackpool's return to the top flight in 2010 as the club's third kit, and as their away kit in [[2019–20 Blackpool F.C. season|2019–20]]), but they bowed to public pressure in 1939 and settled on tangerine.<ref name="Calley p. 18" /> Between 1938 and 1958 Blackpool's kit consisted of tangerine shirts, white shorts and navy blue socks. The club now uses tangerine socks, though navy was used as a secondary colour in the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool – Historical Football Kits<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Blackpool/Blackpool.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818045112/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Blackpool/Blackpool.htm |archive-date=18 August 2007 |access-date=10 August 2007}}</ref>

==Stadium==
{{Main|Bloomfield Road}}

[[File:Bloomfield Road PL Kickoff-geograph-2039284.jpg|thumb|[[Bloomfield Road]], looking north, during a [[Premier League]] game against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in 2010]]

Blackpool have played their home games at Bloomfield Road since 1901. As of April 2025, Blackpool F.C.'s official website states that Bloomfield Road has a capacity of "just under 16,500".<ref name="Capacity, April 2025"/>

In the summer of 2010, work was done on the stadium to prepare for the club's debut season in the Premier League. A new 5,120-capacity temporary East Stand was built, together with improvements to the floodlighting, media and medical facilities and the dugouts. Painting work was also done on the Stanley Matthews (West) Stand and the Mortensen Kop (North Stand). A new video screen was also installed. A new South Stand named after Jimmy Armfield was opened in 2010 with 3,600 seats. From the first home game in the Premier League, against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 28 August 2010, the capacity was 16,220, the highest at Bloomfield Road in 30 years.

In the 2011–12 season, the south east corner between the Armfield Stand and the temporary East Stand was filled with an additional 500 seats, the area also incorporating the BFC Hotel, which welcomed its first guests at the end of June 2012. It was officially opened on 26 July 2012, the club's 125th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~2810295,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620022227/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~2810295%2C00.html |url-status=dead |title=Home Page<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=20 June 2012}}</ref> The hotel has a [[Hotel rating|four-star]] rating, although the source of the accreditation is not specified on its website. It also houses a conference centre. From the 2015–16 season to Blackpool's homecoming game against [[Southend United]], the East Stand had been closed to fans. In the latter part of the 2018–19 EFL League One season, away fans moved to the North-East Stand. As of the 2019–20 season, away fans are now accommodated in the East Stand.

==Supporters==
Blackpool supporters are known by the general terms Tangerine Army or Seaside Barmy Army. Whilst Blackpool had the lowest average home attendance in the Premier League, the atmosphere generated by the home support was regarded as loud and intimidating.

After Steve McMahon resigned as Blackpool manager in 2004, he said of the Tangerine support: "During my time here, the supporters have been fantastic and are a credit to the club. Whilst they have that support, I am sure they can go a long way. I think both on and off the pitch the club is going forward in a big way and unfortunately I'm not part of that anymore."<ref name=Gillatt/> The club was promoted three years later to the Championship, and again in 2010 to the Premier League for the 2010–11 season.

In September 2009, freelance journalist Mike Whalley said after attending a game against [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]: "The home fans certainly make plenty of noise. Bloomfield Road does not lack for atmosphere. Or a drummer. Every home game is played to a thumping drum beat."<ref name="whalley">{{Cite news |last=Whalley |first=Mike |date=26 September 2009 |title=This is Armfield |publisher=Mike Whalley |url=http://mikewhalley.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/this-is-armfield/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001190339/http://mikewhalley.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/this-is-armfield/ |archive-date=1 October 2009}}</ref> After Blackpool beat [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] 2–1 on 16 September 2009, Scott Wilson of ''[[the Northern Echo]]'' wrote: "Almost 10,000 spectators created a hostile and intimidating atmosphere that was a throwback to footballing days gone by"<ref name="echo4636436">{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Scott |date=18 September 2009 |title=Magpies bolster squad |work=[[The Northern Echo]] |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle/4636436.Magpies_bolster_squad/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928102436/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle/4636436.Magpies_bolster_squad/ |archive-date=28 September 2012}}</ref> while the [[Sky Sports]] match report described the Blackpool support as "boisterous".<ref name="skysports3157147">{{Cite news |title=Seasiders down Magpies |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3157147,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922190758/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3157147%2C00.html |archive-date=22 September 2009}}</ref>

On 28 August 2010 Blackpool played [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in their first-ever home Premier League game, in front of a crowd of 15,529, the largest attendance for over 30 years at Bloomfield Road. On [[Sky Sports]]' ''[[Football First]]'' programme, co-commentator [[Barry Horne (footballer)|Barry Horne]] said: "They are a fantastic crowd. I've watched a lot of Championship games here and the crowd have always been brilliant; they get behind their team." Commentator Will Cope later said: "It's deafening; deafening by the seaside. You wouldn't have thought 15,000 fans could make so much noise." After the game Fulham manager [[Mark Hughes]] also praised the home support saying that the atmosphere in the stadium would really help the team in their debut season in the Premier League.<ref name="FF280810">{{Cite episode |title=Football First: Blackpool v Fulham |series=Football First |network=[[Sky Sports]] |station=Sky Sports 2 |series-link=Football First |credits=Commentators: Will Cope and [[Barry Horne (footballer)|Barry Horne]] |location=[[Blackpool]] |airdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>

During the 2010–11 Premier League campaign, a [[decibel]]-metre was set up three times at each stadium, and an average then taken to indicate the loudest supporters. Despite having a capacity of 16,220, the Blackpool support was ranked the fifth-loudest, at 85 decibels.<ref name="talksport">{{Cite web |date=25 August 2011 |title=The loudest fans in the Premier League revealed: where does your club rank? |url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/big-picture/2011-08-25/loudest-fans-premier-league-revealed-where-does-your-club-rank?p=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627104957/http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/big-picture/2011-08-25/loudest-fans-premier-league-revealed-where-does-your-club-rank?p=4 |archive-date=27 June 2013 |access-date=22 August 2012 |publisher=[[Talksport]]}}</ref>

In January 2013, a supporters' group named SISA (Seasiders Independent Supporters Association) was formed. It folded in July the following year<ref>[http://sisa-bfc.blogspot.com Seasiders Independent Supporters Association – Blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707024547/http://sisa-bfc.blogspot.com/ |date=7 July 2019 }} – SISA-BFC.blogspot.com</ref> to become Blackpool Supporters Trust.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolsupporterstrust.com/Site/Default.aspx|title=Blackpool Supporters Trust homepage|access-date=7 July 2019|archive-date=7 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707024545/https://www.blackpoolsupporterstrust.com/Site/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Blackpool Fans' Progress Group, a supporters' liaison group, was founded in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.blackpoolfpg.co.uk/ |title=Blackpool Fans' Progress Group homepage |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707024548/https://www.blackpoolfpg.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rivalries===
Blackpool's primary rival is [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], and matches between the two clubs are known as the [[West Lancashire derby]].<ref name="FFC001">{{cite news |date=December 2003 |title=Rivalry uncovered! The results of the largest ever survey into club rivalries |url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304004344/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2009 |access-date=27 November 2007 |publisher=The Football Fans Census}}</ref>

Since 2012–13, a [[Fylde Coast derby]] has developed with [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool 1-0 Fleetwood: Hosts win Fylde coast derby |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/blackpool-vs-fleetwood/report/340312 |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>

According to a survey conducted in 2019, Blackpool's other significant rivalries are with [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]].<ref>[https://www.givemesport.com/1500300-the-top-five-rivals-of-english-footballs-top-92-clubs-revealed "The top five rivals of English football's top 92 clubs revealed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929205049/https://www.givemesport.com/1500300-the-top-five-rivals-of-english-footballs-top-92-clubs-revealed |date=29 September 2019 }} – GiveMeSport, 27 August 2019</ref>

==Sponsors==

[[File:Blackpool home shirt 1992-93.jpg|thumb|[[Lytham St Annes]]-based energy-conservation company Inenco sponsored Blackpool for three seasons in the early 1990s]]
[[File:Blackpool shirt 2009-10.jpg|thumb|Blackpool's away shirt for the [[Blackpool F.C. season 2009–10|2009–10]] campaign]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em"
|-
!Period
!Kit manufacturer
!Shirt sponsor
|-
|1974–1979
|rowspan=4|[[Umbro]]
|''None''
|-
|1979–1981
|Easywear
|-
|1981–1982
|''None''
|-
|1982–1983
|Pembroke Hotel
|-
|1983–1984
|Hobott
|''None''
|-
|1984–1985
|[[Umbro]]
|JK Brown
|-
|1986–1987
|Scoreline
|rowspan=2|Harry Feeney Autos
|-
|1987–1988
|Lowfields
|-
|1988–1989
|Scoreline
|rowspan=2|[[Bass Brewery|Bass]]
|-
|1989–1990
|rowspan=2|''None''
|-
|1990–1991
|[[Vaux Breweries|Vaux]]
|-
|1991 August–1991 October
|rowspan=2|[[Gola (manufacturer)|Gola]]
|''None''
|-
|1991 October–1993
|rowspan=2|Inenco
|-
|1993–1994
|rowspan=2|Pelada
|-
|1994–1997
|Rebecca's Jewellers of Southport
|-
|1997–1999
|[[Lotto Sport Italia|Lotto]]
|rowspan=2|[[Telewest]]
|-
|1999–2001
|Super League
|-
|2001–2003
|TFG Sport
|Electricity Direct
|-
|2003–2004
|rowspan=2|Sporta
|Life Repair Group
|-
|2004–2005
|Pricebusters
|-
|2005–2007
|[[Uhlsport]]
|Pointbetgames.com (home and away)<sup>1</sup>
Kimmel Lager (third)
|-
|2007–2008
|rowspan=2|Carlotti
|[[Floors-2-Go]]<sup>2</sup>
|-
|2008–2009
|rowspan=2|[[Carbrini]]
|-
|2009–2010
|rowspan=2|[[Carbrini]]
|-
|2010–2011
|rowspan=3|[[Wonga.com]]
|-
|2011–2013
|[[Fila (company)|Fila]]
|-
|2013–2015
|rowspan=5|[[Erreà]]
|-
|2015–2016
|[[Village Hotel Club|Village]]<ref>"Blackpool's Wonga tie will not be renewed", ''The Times'', 30 January 2015, p. 57.</ref>
|-
|2016–2018
|tp.
|-
|2018–2019
|BetSid
|-
|2019–2020
|[[Blackpool Council]]<br />("VisitBlackpool.com" on home kits; "GET VOCAL" on away kits)
|-
|2020–2022
|rowspan=5|[[Puma (brand)|Puma]]<ref name="reveal">{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BlackpoolFC/status/1285180029958225921 |title=Blackpool F.C.'s official Twitter, 20 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720130352/https://twitter.com/BlackpoolFC/status/1285180029958225921 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|[[Blackpool Council|VisitBlackpool.com]] (home kit)<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/blackpool-council-extends-shirt-sponsorship-deal-for-third-season/ "Blackpool Council Extends Shirt Sponsorship Deal For Third Season"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624120417/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/blackpool-council-extends-shirt-sponsorship-deal-for-third-season/ |date=24 June 2021 }} – Blackpool F.C., 24 June 2021</ref><br />Utility Team (away kit)<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/202021-away-kit-lauched "2020/21 Away Kit Sponsored By Utility Team Is Here"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174701/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/202021-away-kit-lauched |date=29 July 2021 }} – Blackpool F.C., 29 July 2021</ref><br />Get Vocal (third kit)<sup>3</sup><ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/get-vocal-announced-as-third-kit-sponsors/ "Get Vocal Announced As Third Kit Sponsors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031034257/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/get-vocal-announced-as-third-kit-sponsors/ |date=31 October 2020 }} – Blackpool F.C.18 September 2020</ref>
|-
|2022–2023
|[[Utilita Energy|Utilita]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=2022/23 Home Kit {{!}} On Sale At 10am On Friday 8 July |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/07/2022-23-home-kit---on-sale-at-10am-on-friday-8-july/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=Blackpool FC |date=7 July 2022 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707165432/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/07/2022-23-home-kit---on-sale-at-10am-on-friday-8-july/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2023–2024
|[[LeoVegas]]<br />Utilita (back-of-shirt)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=2022/23 Home Kit {{!}} On Sale At 10am On Friday 8 July |url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/05/leovegas-become-principal-front-of-shirt-partner/|access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Blackpool FC }}</ref>
|-
|2024–
|TreadTracker.com (home kit)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool FC |url=https://www.treadtracker.com/blackpool-fc/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=TreadTracker |language=en-GB}}</ref><br />[[Blackpool Pleasure Beach|Pleasure Beach]] (away kit)<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |date=2024-07-05 |title=Pleasure Beach Resort Confirmed As 2024/25 Principal Sponsors |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2024/july/05/pleasure-beach-resort-confirmed-as-2024-25-principal-sponsors/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}</ref> Pleasure Beach (third kit)
|}

<sup>1</sup> Derek Woodman BMW sponsored the club's home shorts, while Derek Woodman Mini sponsored their away versions

<sup>2</sup> Blackpool Leisure were the shorts sponsors

<sup>3</sup> Tower Insurance were the shorts sponsors<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/tower-insurance---new-short-sponsors/ "Tower Insurance – New Short Sponsors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130141854/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/tower-insurance---new-short-sponsors/ |date=30 November 2020 }} – Blackpool F.C., 11 September 2020</ref>

Between the 2005–06 season and the 2009–10 season, Glyn Jones Estate Agents appeared in the back of their home shirts, while JMB Properties Ltd. appeared on the back of their away shirts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Football Kits |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Blackpool/Blackpool.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818045112/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Blackpool/Blackpool.htm |archive-date=18 August 2007 |access-date=10 August 2007}}</ref> For the 2020–21 season, FTS became the back-of-shirt sponsor.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/fts---new-back-of-shirt-sponsor/ "FTS – New Back Of Shirt Sponsor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918230121/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/fts---new-back-of-shirt-sponsor/ |date=18 September 2020 }} – Blackpool F.C., 4 September 2020</ref>

==Players==
{{See also|List of Blackpool F.C. players|Category:Blackpool F.C. players}}

===First-team squad===
{{updated|13 September 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Squads |url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/squads |access-date=7 August 2024|archive-date=2 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802224003/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/squads/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<small>Note: EFL clubs are limited to a squad of 22 senior players (aged 21 or over). There is no limit to the number of players who were aged 20 or younger on 1 January 2025, that the club can use.</small><ref>[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/matt-scraftons-opinion-early-starters-blackpool-close-completing-transfer-jigsaw-2957034 "Early starters Blackpool close to completing transfer jigsaw"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511141712/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/matt-scraftons-opinion-early-starters-blackpool-close-completing-transfer-jigsaw-2957034 |date=11 May 2022 }} – ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'', 30 August 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpools-updated-squad-list-made-public-efl-3138811 "Blackpool's updated squad list made public by the EFL"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511141715/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpools-updated-squad-list-made-public-efl-3138811 |date=11 May 2022 }} – ''Blackpool Gazette'', 18 February 2021</ref>

{{fs start}}
{{fs player|no=1|nat=NIR|pos=GK|name=[[Bailey Peacock-Farrell]]|other=on loan from [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]}}
{{fs player|no=2|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=[[Andy Lyons (Irish footballer)|Andy Lyons]]}}
{{fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[James Husband (footballer)|James Husband]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Oliver Casey]]}}
{{fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Fraser Horsfall]]}}
{{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jordan Brown (footballer, born 2001)|Jordan Brown]]}}
{{fs player|no=7|nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=[[Lee Evans (footballer)|Lee Evans]]}}
{{fs player|no=8|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Albie Morgan]]}}
{{fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Niall Ennis]]}}
{{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[George Honeyman]]}}
{{fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Ashley Fletcher]]}}
{{fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Tom Bloxham (footballer, born 2003)|Tom Bloxham]]}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Hayden Coulson]]}}
{{fs player|no=18|nat=NIR|pos=FW|name=[[Dale Taylor]]}}
{{fs player|no=19|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Josh Bowler]]}}
{{fs player|no=20|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Michael Ihiekwe]]}}
{{fs player|no=22|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=[[CJ Hamilton (footballer)|CJ Hamilton]]}}
{{fs player|no=23|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Scott Banks]]|other=on loan from [[FC St Pauli|FC St. Pauli]]}}
{{fs player|no=25|nat=ARG|pos=GK|name=[[Franco Ravizzoli]]}}
{{fs player|no=26|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=[[Zac Ashworth]]}}
{{fs player|no=29|nat=SWE|pos=MF|name=[[Emil Hansson]]|other=on loan from [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]}}
{{fs player|no=30|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Danny Imray]]|other=on loan from [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]}}
{{fs player|no=32|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Harvey Bardsley}}
{{fs end}}

===Out on loan===
{{fs start}}
{{fs player|no=27|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Kylian Kouassi]]|other=on loan to [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]]}}
{{fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Ryan Finnigan]]|other=on loan to [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]]}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|no=34|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Dan Sassi]]|other=on loan to [[Runcorn Linnets F.C.|Runcorn Linnets]]}}
{{fs end}}

===Reserve team===
Up until the 2009–10 season the reserve team competed in the [[Central League (England)|Central League Division One West]]. They have been Central League champions twice, in 1919–20 and 1949–50.

With the first team promoted to the Premier League, for the [[2010–11 Premier Reserve League|2010–11 season]] the reserves competed in the [[Premier Reserve League]]. They were in [[2010–11 Premier Reserve League#Premier Reserve League North Group B|North Group B]], with [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|Liverpool]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. At the end of the campaign, the club withdrew from reserve league football, preferring to play such games [[behind closed doors (football)|behind closed doors]].<ref>[http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~2371067,00.html "POOL WITHDRAW FROM RESERVE LEAGUE"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606110150/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~2371067%2C00.html |date=6 June 2011 }} – Blackpool F.C.'s official website, 3 June 2011</ref>

Blackpool reintroduced reserve-team football for the 2019–20 season. They joined a regional five-team Central Division. But at the end of the 2023-24 season, it was announced that the team would withdraw from the Central Division, with the club opting for loan-based development for younger players coming through the ranks.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

=== Academy ===
The club's Academy, headed by [[Ciaran Donnelly (footballer)|Ciaran Donnelly]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |date=2025-05-16 |title=Seven New Scholars Sign Ahead Of The 2025/26 Season |url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/16/seven-new-scholars-sign-ahead-of-the-2025-26-season/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}</ref> is rated as [[Elite Player Performance Plan|Category 3]] (the highest, of four categories, being Category 1).<ref>{{Cite web |title=EFL Official Website - Youth Development |url=https://www.efl.com/-more/efl-youth-development/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.efl.com |archive-date=12 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812152656/https://www.efl.com/-more/efl-youth-development/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It consists of an under-18s squad and a development squad. As of 2021, the academy had around 140 players, ranging in age from six to twenty-one, and employed twelve full-time members of staff. Its facilities are split between [[Myerscough College]] and Blackpool's Stanley Park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Academy |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/club/academy |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Blackpool FC |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191856/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/club/academy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Internationals===
Blackpool have had 59 full-international representatives. Their first was [[Fred Griffiths (footballer)|Fred Griffiths]], for [[Wales national football team|Wales]], in 1900.<ref name="Brown resigns"/> Their most recent was [[Bailey Peacock-Farrell]], for [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]], in 2025. In 1996, Northern Ireland's [[James Quinn (footballer, born 1974)|James Quinn]] became the club's first player in sixteen years to be selected for a full international, the previous one being [[Derek Spence]] in 1980.

:''Many players won additional caps with other clubs, but the totals given below apply solely to appearances made while with Blackpool.''

{{updated|4 September 2025}}

'''United Kingdom and Ireland'''
[[File:Jimmy Armfield, 2012 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Jimmy Armfield]] won 43 caps for England between 1959 and 1966, and captained his country on fifteen occasions]]
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | England (13)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Harry Bedford (footballer)|Harry Bedford]] || 1923–1924 || {{0}}{{0}}2 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
| [[Jimmy Hampson]] || 1930–1932 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}5
|-
| [[Harry Johnston (footballer, born 1919)|Harry Johnston]] || 1946–1953 || {{0}}10 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Stan Mortensen]] || 1947–1953 || {{0}}25 || {{0}}23
|-
| [[Stanley Matthews]] || 1947–1957 || {{0}}37 || {{0}}{{0}}3
|-
| [[Eddie Shimwell]] || 1949 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Tommy Garrett (footballer)|Tommy Garrett]] || 1952–1953 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Ernie Taylor (footballer born 1925)|Ernie Taylor]] || 1953 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Bill Perry (footballer)|Bill Perry]] || 1955–1956 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}2
|-
| [[Jimmy Armfield]] || 1959–1966 || {{0}}43 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Ray Charnley]] || 1962 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Tony Waiters]] || 1964 || {{0}}{{0}}5 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Alan Ball Jr.|Alan Ball]] || 1965–1966 || {{0}}14 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
|}

[[File:Spence trophy room.jpg|thumb|right|[[Derek Spence]], who had two spells at Blackpool, won fifteen caps and scored three goals for Northern Ireland during his time at the club]]
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Northern Ireland (10){{efn|group=EP|Prior to 1924, there was only one Irish national team. In that year, the Republic of Ireland began playing separate matches, and that position is reflected here.}}
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Sammy Jones (footballer)|Sammy Jones]] || 1933 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
| [[Peter Doherty (footballer)|Peter Doherty]] || 1934 || {{0}}{{0}}4 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Malcolm Butler (footballer)|Malcolm Butler]] || 1939 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Derek Spence]] || 1977–1979 || {{0}}14 || {{0}}{{0}}3
|-
| [[James Quinn (footballer, born 1974)|James Quinn]] || 1996–1997 || {{0}}10 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
| [[Craig Cathcart]] || 2010–2014 || {{0}}18 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Jordan Thompson (footballer)|Jordan Thompson]] || 2019 || {{0}}{{0}}5 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Daniel Ballard]] || 2020–2021 || {{0}}{{0}}5 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Shayne Lavery]] || 2021–2023 || {{0}}12 || {{0}}{{0}}3
|-
| [[Bailey Peacock-Farrell]] || 2025– || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
|}

[[File:FIFA WC-qualification 2014 - Austria vs Ireland 2013-09-10 - Wes Hoolahan 12.JPG|thumb|[[Wes Hoolahan]] received his first cap for the Republic of Ireland while at Blackpool in 2008]]
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Republic of Ireland (3)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Mickey Walsh]] || 1976–1977 || {{0}}{{0}}4 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
| [[Wes Hoolahan]] || 2008 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[CJ Hamilton (footballer)|CJ Hamilton]] || 2022 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

[[File:1 charlie adam stoke 2015.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie Adam]] won seven Scotland caps during his two years with the club]]
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Scotland (13)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Phil Watson (footballer)|Phil Watson]] || 1933 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Alex Munro (footballer born 1912)|Alex Munro]] || 1938 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Frank O'Donnell (footballer)|Frank O'Donnell]] || 1938 || {{0}}{{0}}2 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Jimmy Blair (footballer born 1918)|Jimmy Blair]] || 1946 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Allan Brown (footballer, born 1926)|Allan Brown]] || 1952–1954 || {{0}}10 || {{0}}{{0}}3
|-
| [[George Farm]] || 1952–1959 || {{0}}10 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Hughie Kelly|Hugh Kelly]] || 1952 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Jackie Mudie]] || 1956–1958 || {{0}}17 || {{0}}{{0}}9
|-
| [[Tony Green (footballer)|Tony Green]] || 1971–1972 || {{0}}{{0}}6 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Charlie Adam (footballer born 1985)|Charlie Adam]] || 2009–2011 || {{0}}{{0}}9 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Stephen Crainey]] || 2010–2011 || {{0}}{{0}}6 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Matt Phillips]] || 2012 || {{0}}{{0}}2 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Matt Gilks]] || 2012–2013 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

[[File:David Vaughan 2016.jpg|thumb|[[David Vaughan (footballer)|David Vaughan]] was capped eight times for Wales during his three years at Bloomfield Road]]
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Wales (6)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Fred Griffiths (footballer)|Fred Griffiths]] || 1900 || {{0}}{{0}}2 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Dai Astley]] || 1939 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
| [[Glyn James]] || 1966–1971 || {{0}}{{0}}9 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[Wyn Davies]] || 1973 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|-
| [[David Vaughan (footballer)|David Vaughan]] || 2008–2011 || {{0}}12 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|-
| [[Neal Eardley]] || 2009–2011 || {{0}}{{0}}6 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

'''Europe'''
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Belarus (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Sergei Kornilenko]] || 2011 || {{0}}{{0}}2 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Estonia (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Sergei Zenjov]] || 2014 || {{0}}{{0}}6 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Iceland (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Daníel Leó Grétarsson|Daníel Grétarsson]] || 2021 || {{0}}{{0}}4 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Israel (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Dekel Keinan]] || 2010 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Latvia (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Kaspars Gorkšs]] || 2007–2008 || {{0}}14 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Malta (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Daniel Bogdanović]] || 2011–2012 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

'''Oceania'''
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Australia (2)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[David Carney]] || 2010–2011 || {{0}}{{0}}7 || {{0}}{{0}}2
|-
| [[Kenny Dougall]] || 2021 || {{0}}{{0}}4 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

'''Africa'''
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Algeria (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Hamer Bouazza]] || 2009–2010 || {{0}}{{0}}6 || {{0}}{{0}}1
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Congo (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Christoffer Mafoumbi]] || 2019 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Ghana (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Richard Kingson]] || 2010–2011 || {{0}}{{0}}3 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Sierra Leone (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Sullay Kaikai]] || 2021 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

'''CONCACAF'''
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Costa Rica (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[José Miguel Cubero]] || 2014 || {{0}}{{0}}1 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"; style="background-color:silver" | Jamaica (1)
|-
! Name !! Years !! Caps !! Goals
|-
| [[Kevin Stewart (footballer)|Kevin Stewart]] || 2022 || {{0}}{{0}}2 || {{0}}{{0}}0
|}

=== Notes ===
{{notelist|group=EP}}

===One-club men===
{{See also|List of one-club men in association football}}
[[File:Harry Johnston.jpg|thumb|[[Harry Johnston (footballer, born 1919)|Harry Johnston]] spent his entire 21-year professional playing career with Blackpool, with whom he appeared in three [[FA Cup Final]]s]]

Nine players spent their entire professional playing careers with Blackpool:<ref>Criteria of a minimum of ten years service used.</ref>

<!--List should include only FORMER players-->
{| class="toccolours"
!bgcolor=silver|Name
!bgcolor=silver|Years
!bgcolor=silver|Apps
!bgcolor=silver|Goals
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| [[Bob Birket]] || 1896–1906 (10) || 215 || 44
|-
| [[Edward Threlfall]] || 1900–1911 (11) || 320 || 11
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| [[John Charles (English footballer)|John Charles]] || 1912–1924 (12) || 228 || 30
|-
| [[Bert Tulloch]] || 1914–1924 (10) || 178 || {{0}}0
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| [[Harry Johnston (footballer, born 1919)|Harry Johnston]] || 1934–1955 (21) || 398 || 11
|-
| [[Hughie Kelly|Hugh Kelly]] || 1943–1960 (17) || 428 || {{0}}8
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| [[Jimmy Armfield]] || 1954–1971 (17) || 569 || {{0}}6
|-
| [[Glyn James]] || 1960–1975 (15) || 399 || 22
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| [[Mike Davies (footballer)|Mike Davies]] || 1984–1995 (11) || 310 || 16
|}

===Training facility===
Blackpool's training ground, currently known as the e-Energy Training Centre,<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=e-Energy Become Training Ground and Training Wear Sponsor |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/23/eenergy-become-training-ground-and-training-wear-sponsor/ |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Blackpool FC |date=23 June 2022 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623173829/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/23/eenergy-become-training-ground-and-training-wear-sponsor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is located in the [[Squires Gate, Blackpool|Squires Gate]] area of Blackpool's [[South Shore, Blackpool|South Shore]]. It has been used, with minimal upkeep, since the 1940s. It was described by Blackpool manager Ian Holloway as a "hell hole" in 2009, shortly after which chairman Karl Oyston pledged to build a new facility. "We are never going back to our training ground again," explained Holloway. "Every player this club has ever had hates it, and every player we have is frightened of it. It is a horrible environment to work in."<ref>[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/pool-to-leave-hell-hole-training-ground-1-381472 "Pool to leave 'hell hole' training ground"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428021954/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/pool-to-leave-hell-hole-training-ground-1-381472 |date=28 April 2014 }} – ''Blackpool Gazette'', 15 July 2009</ref> In 2009, with the training ground frozen, Holloway attempted to train on Blackpool's beach, but that too was iced over.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/8166074/Blackpool-plan-beach-trip-to-beat-freeze-ahead-of-Manchester-United-clash.html "Blackpool plan beach trip to beat freeze ahead of Manchester United clash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123095823/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/8166074/Blackpool-plan-beach-trip-to-beat-freeze-ahead-of-Manchester-United-clash.html |date=23 January 2016 }} – ''The Daily Telegraph'', 29 November 2010</ref> An initial plan was to use the facilities of [[Fylde Rugby Club]], but training is still held at the two-pitch Squires Gate, however, and no development has come to fruition.

In August 2014, former Blackpool defender [[Alex Baptiste]] reminisced on his time at Squires Gate: "No balls in training, having to run on the beach because the pitch had been frozen for two weeks, no food after training, leaks in the [[Portacabin]]s, having to buy our own weights – just random stuff like that! It was definitely an experience!"<ref>[http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/getting-personal-with-alex-baptiste-1875788.aspx#Hs1ZcAYLEJUD3tBc.99 "'Getting Personal' with Alex Baptiste"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109234520/http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/getting-personal-with-alex-baptiste-1875788.aspx#Hs1ZcAYLEJUD3tBc.99 |date=9 November 2014 }} – Blackburn Rovers official website, 26 August 2014</ref>

In June 2020, the club purchased a [[modular building]] for the training ground. It includes changing facilities for players and staff, along with eating areas, meeting rooms and medical facilities.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-fc-purchase-new-building-squires-gate-training-base-2874986 "Blackpool FC purchase new building for Squires Gate training base"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614105431/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-fc-purchase-new-building-squires-gate-training-base-2874986 |date=14 June 2020 }} – ''Blackpool Gazette'', 4 June 2020</ref>

A site for a new training facility, bordering the Grange Park Estate and [[Baines School]] on Garstang Road, was purchased in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Blackpool FC Secures Site For New Training Facility |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/13/blackpool-fc-secures-site-for-new-training-facility/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Blackpool FC |date=13 May 2022 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516220839/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/13/blackpool-fc-secures-site-for-new-training-facility/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The new training facility, combined with replacing Bloomfield Road's temporary East Stand with a permanent structure, is estimated to cost between £30 and £40 million.<ref name="James"/> A planning application was expected to be submitted in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=Publication of planning notice suggests Blackpool FC's training ground application could be imminent |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/planning-bid-for-blackpool-fcs-training-ground-could-be-imminent-4137425 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Blackpool Gazette |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511114819/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/planning-bid-for-blackpool-fcs-training-ground-could-be-imminent-4137425 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Managers==
{{main|List of Blackpool F.C. managers}}

Including repeat appointments, there have been 43 full-time managers of Blackpool F.C., the first being [[Bill Norman (football manager)|Bill Norman]] between 1918 and 1923. The longest-serving manager was [[Joe Smith (footballer, 1889–1971)|Joe Smith]], who occupied the role for 23 years; [[Michael Appleton]], meanwhile, lasted 65 days in the role in his first stint at the club.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20972061 "Michael Appleton: Blackburn Rovers announce new manager"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123095823/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20972061|date=23 January 2016}} – BBC Sport, 11 January 2013</ref> Blackpool has, on average, appointed a new manager just under every three years.<!--This is calculated by subtracting 1918 (the year of the first full-time appointment) from the current year and dividing by the total number of managers.--> As of October 2025, the club has had fourteen full-time managers in thirteen years.

There have been five repeat appointments: [[Bob Stokoe]], [[Allan Brown (footballer, born 1926)|Allan Brown]], [[Simon Grayson]], [[Michael Appleton]] and [[Neil Critchley]].

In 2014, [[Jose Riga]] became the club's first foreign manager.

In 2020, Neil Critchley became the first appointment to be known as a [[head coach]].

== Non-playing staff ==
'''Owner''': Simon Sadler<ref name="James"/>

'''Chief executive officer''': Julian Winter<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |date=2023-07-21 |title=Julian Winter Appointed As CEO |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/21/julian-winter-appointed-as-ceo/ |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=Blackpool FC |language=en}}</ref>

'''Head of Finance''': Jordan Sumner

'''Sporting director''': David Downes

'''Head coach''': [[Ian Evatt]]

'''Assistant head coach''': [[Stephen Crainey]]

'''First-team coach''': [[Stephen Dobbie]]<ref>[https://x.com/BlackpoolFC/status/1831068303416049682 ""I've come here to try and take the Club and it's supporters where they want to get back to. Hopefully, we can give them something to shout about."] – Blackpool F.C. Twitter, 3 September 2024</ref>

'''Goalkeeping coach''': [[Steve Banks (footballer)|Steve Banks]]

'''Under-18s coach''': [[Matthew Blinkhorn]]

'''Academy director''': [[Ciaran Donnelly (footballer)|Ciaran Donnelly]]<ref>{{Cite web |title='It's a different club': Academy manager Ciaran Donnelly outlines Blackpool's progress ahead of FA Youth Cup tie against Huddersfield Town |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpools-academy-comes-under-the-spotlight-ahead-of-fa-youth-cup-tie-3486836 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191154/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpools-academy-comes-under-the-spotlight-ahead-of-fa-youth-cup-tie-3486836 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Physiotherapist''': Stuart Irwin<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool bring in Oldham physio to replace Phil Horner who left after 20 years in the role |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-bring-oldham-physio-replace-phil-horner-who-left-after-20-years-role-2893017 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191639/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-bring-oldham-physio-replace-phil-horner-who-left-after-20-years-role-2893017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Chief scout''': Stuart Benthom<ref>{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Blackpool |title=Club Confirms Appointment of Chris Badlan as Sporting Director |url=https://blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/november/30/club-confirms-appointment-of-chris-badlan-as-sporting-director/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Blackpool FC |date=30 November 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130121108/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/november/30/club-confirms-appointment-of-chris-badlan-as-sporting-director/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Honours==
Blackpool were the first team to be promoted through all divisions of the Football League via the [[English Football League play-offs|play-off system]] and the club has the most play-off trophies (6).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The imperious play-off record Blackpool can take inspiration from in their battle against Oxford United, Sunderland and Lincoln City |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/the-imperious-play-off-record-blackpool-can-take-inspiration-from-in-their-battle-against-oxford-united-sunderland-and-lincoln-city-3233418 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726115354/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/the-imperious-play-off-record-blackpool-can-take-inspiration-from-in-their-battle-against-oxford-united-sunderland-and-lincoln-city-3233418 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''League'''
*[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] / [[Football League Championship|Championship]] (level 2)
**Champions: [[1929–30 Football League|1929–30]]
**Promoted: [[1936–37 Football League|1936–37]], [[1969–70 Football League|1969–70]]
**Play-off winners: [[2010 Football League play-offs#Championship|2010]]
*[[Football League One|League One]] (level 3)
**Play-off winners: [[2007 Football League play-offs#League One|2007]], [[2021 English Football League play-offs#League One|2021]]
*[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[EFL League Two|League Two]] (level 4)
**Promoted: [[1984–85 Football League|1984–85]]
**Play-off winners: [[1992 Football League play-offs#Fourth Division|1992]], [[2001 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2001]], [[2017 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2017]]

'''Cup'''
*[[FA Cup]]
**Winners: [[1952–53 FA Cup|1952–53]]
*[[Football League Trophy]]
**Winners: [[2001–02 Football League Trophy|2001–02]], [[2003–04 Football League Trophy|2003–04]]
*[[Anglo-Italian Cup]]
**Winners: [[1971 Anglo-Italian Cup|1971]]
*[[Football League War Cup]]
**Winners: 1943
*[[Lancashire Senior Cup]]
**Winners: 1935–36, 1936–37, 1941–42, 1953–54, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96

==Records==
{{Further|List of Blackpool F.C. records}}

===Club===
*'''Highest finish''': 2nd in [[Football League First Division|Division One]] ([[Blackpool F.C. season 1955-56#Table|1955–56]])
*'''Lowest finish''': 21st in [[Football League Fourth Division|Division Four]] ([[Blackpool F.C. season 1982-83#Table|1982–83]])

===Players===
*'''Most Football League appearances''': [[Jimmy Armfield]] (569; between 27 December 1954 and 1 May 1971)
*'''Top goalscorer''': [[Jimmy Hampson]] (252; between 15 October 1927 and 8 January 1938)
*'''Most capped player''': Jimmy Armfield (43; for [[England national football team|England]])

===Managers===
*'''Longest-serving manager''': [[Joe Smith (football forward born 1889)|Joe Smith]] (22 years, 9 months; from 1 August 1935 to 30 April 1958)

==Tangerine TV==
In August 2021, the club launched Tangerine TV as a direct replacement to the EFL's {{Proper name|iFollow}} streaming service.<ref>[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/seasiders-launch-tangerine-tv-packages "Seasiders Launch Tangerine TV Packages"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803194755/https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/seasiders-launch-tangerine-tv-packages |date=3 August 2021 }} – Blackpool F.C., 3 August 2021</ref>

==Blackpool F.C. Ladies==
{{Main|Blackpool F.C. Ladies}}

==References==
'''Specific'''
{{Reflist}}

'''General'''
* {{Cite book |last=Goldstein |first=Dan |url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetoengl00dang |title=The Rough Guide to English Football |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2000 |isbn=1-85828-557-7 |url-access=registration}}

===Further reading===
* {{Cite book |last=Daniels |first=Robin |title=Blackpool Football: The Official Club History |date=17 October 1972 |publisher=Robert Hale Ltd |isbn=0-7091-3501-7 |edition=1st}}
* {{Cite book |last=Wolstenholme |first=Gerry |title=Cup Kings – Blackpool 1953 |date=7 December 1998 |publisher=The Bluecoat Press |isbn=1-872568-58-0 |location=Blackpool}}
* {{Cite book |last=Prestage |first=Michael |title=Blackpool: The Glory Years Remembered |date=September 2000 |publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd |isbn=1-85983-198-2 |edition=1st}}
* {{Cite book |title=Legends: The Great Players of Blackpool F.C |date=19 December 2007 |publisher=At Heart Ltd |isbn=978-1-84547-182-8 |editor-last=Singleton, Steve |edition=1st |location=Blackpool}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gillatt |first=Peter |title=Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year |date=30 November 2009 |publisher=Pitch Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-905411-50-4}}
* {{Cite book |last=Wolstenholme |first=Gerry |title=Return to the Top Flight: Blackpool Football Club's Promotion Campaign 1969/70 |publisher=Blackpool Programme and Memorabilia Collectors Club |year=2010}} (limited edition of 200 copies)
* {{Cite book |last=Wolstenholme |first=Gerry |title=By Bus to Wollongong: Blackpool Football Club's World Tour 1958 |publisher=Red Rose Books |year=2014}} (limited edition of 250 copies)

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool Blackpool F.C.] on [[BBC Sport]]

{{Blackpool F.C.}}
{{Premier League}}
{{Football League Championship}}
{{Football League One}}
{{Football League Two}}
{{Blackpool culture}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Blackpool F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Sport in Blackpool]]
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[[Category:Lancashire League (football)]]
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