Sadler Rallying Call | Vital Football

Sadler Rallying Call

SeasideEssexXile

Vital Football Legend
HaVIng watched my firsT match during the infAmous reLegation season of 1977-78, I grew up supporting Blackpool in the third and fourth divisions, spending those years hoping that we’d one day get back to the second tier. It took us 29 years to get to The Championship and we all know the spectacular rise and dispiriting fall that the Club subsequently went on, resulting in my purchase on June 13th 2019.

In early March 2020 we hired Neil Critchley as Head Coach. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait another 29 years to see second tier football as in May 2021 he gained promotion to the Championship in his first full season. He followed that up by comfortably keeping us there in his second full season - a fantastic achievement and one on which we can continue to build. It came as a great surprise to The Board and me when a couple of weeks ago Neil said that an opportunity had presented itself that he was keen to take. The chance to work again with Steven Gerrard and to pit himself against some of the best coaches in the world in The Premier League was one that he felt that he could not pass up. It’s that simple, there are no other reasons, that’s why he left.

I’ll miss Critch. The emotion that he showed and the connection that he had with the fans, the players and the Club was heartfelt and real. Some matches when the atmosphere at Bloomfield Road was rocking, I’d watch him and I’d see his eyes drift away from the match and stare at the crowd in awe and wonder. He’d often talk to me of the gratitude that he felt toward the fans, The Club and The Board as he gave his all to improve this great Club of ours. He and I have spoken recently and have both agreed that his exit could’ve been handled
more gracefully, but we all know that he leaves us in much better shape than when he joined. I will always welcome Critch back to Bloomfield Road with open arms and will always be grateful to him for what he achieved at our Club.

With pre-season looming, it was The Board’s decision to wrap things up swiftly with Neil so that we could begin the search for our next head coach. Within a couple of days, John Stephenson presented a long list of names which, with input from Ben, Brett and I, was whittled down to a shorter list. Candidates were contacted and Ben, Brett and John jointly conducted a first round of talks. The four of us then sifted through all of the notes and the data and settled on a small group for final interviews, which were held earlier this week in London. All of the prospective head coaches were strong candidates and we spent several hours with each to get to know them better. After debating their individual pros and cons, we were unanimous in our decision to choose Michael Appleton.

Like most of us, Michael has had some ups and downs. The low point of his managerial career must’ve been as he moved from Portsmouth to Blackpool to Blackburn in quick succession, having subsequently stated that he had made a mistake in not doing sufficient due diligence on the clubs he was joining. He bounced back from that though to have success at Oxford, gain Premier League experience at Leicester and manage the U-23’s at West Brom. I’m sure that we all remember his entertaining 2020-21 Lincoln team that last May was just 90 minutes away from reaching The Championship.
Football is a game of fine margins and if that Jorge Grant rocket in the first half had been a few inches lower it may’ve been their day instead of ours. I suspect that with his stock riding high, Michael might well have been appointed as a Championship manager elsewhere last year if he had not had to undergo treatment for a serious illness, from which he has now thankfully recovered. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Michael can achieve during his second stint with us and whilst success cannot be guaranteed, Ben, Brett, John and I are convinced that, after a thorough recruitment process, he’s the right man for us at this point in our journey.
We recognise though that Michael is not every Blackpool fan’s first choice as the next Head Coach. I think that it’s common knowledge that some of us at the Club keep an eye on social media and I must confess to being disappointed at the extent of some of the negativity that I’ve read with regards to Michael’s appointment. Given what this Club went through before I bought it, I’m confounded that some fans go as far to claim that they would consider ripping up or not buying season tickets because they are unhappy with our choice of Head Coach. Whilst I cannot guarantee outcomes, it is my responsibility as custodian of this great Club of ours to ensure that the right decisions are made for the right reasons for both the Club’s present and its future. I will not shirk that responsibility even if said decisions are not universally popular.

My commitment to this Club and our town is not contingent, it is unwavering. When I bought the Club I said that I hoped that we’d get promoted within three years and we did it in two. I said that I’d address the East Stand and the training ground and plans are underway for both, with funding, that I will provide, likely being in the range of GBP 30m-40m. Earlier in the year, I told John, Ben and Critch that this year’s playing budget will likely be higher than last year’s and that has not changed. If the right business can be done and the right players can be sourced and secured, then more money is available and will be used. As we approach the start of my fourth season as owner, my ongoing aim remains to grow the playing budget year-on-year, as has happened every season since I bought the Club. I’m not going to walk away from any of my commitments to Blackpool Football Club.
Finally, I’m excitedly awaiting the release of the fixture list on June 23rd, when we will also launch the new Club membership scheme and will officially announce that we have decided to remove the £2 on-the-day match ticket purchase surcharge. I look forward to supporting this team, head coach and Club of ours in the season ahead win, lose or draw as you the fans did last season, particularly at home to Blackburn, at home to Preston, away at Stoke, away at West Brom, away at Fulham…..the list goes on and on…..

UTMP!

Simon