Blackpool Football Club

Blackpool Football Club is part of the town like the Tower and sticks of rock! Across the town you’ll see the tangerine orange paint – even the bus stops support the club! The club has a long and interesting history – and today plays in football League One.

Blackpool Football Club

Find Blackpool Football Club at: Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool FY1 6JJ. Tel: 01253 336592

Stadium at Bloomfield Road

Bloomfield Road Stadium takes its name from the road where the main entrance once was. The grounds have a capacity of just under 16,500 and, with close access to the main motorway network, it’s easy to get to. It’s been the permanent home of Blackpool FC since 1901.

Approaching from Seasiders Way, the Sir Stanley Matthews West Stand is the large building which hosts the main function rooms. There’s the Mortensen North Stand and the East Stand. Adjacent to Bloomfield Road is the Jimmy Armfield South Stand – complete with a proud statue of the man himself on the outer corner of the stadium.

At the Bloomfield Road Stadium you can watch the match your way. There’s plenty of capacity for outdoor seated viewing in the stands – away supporters will use the East Stand. Or you might prefer to upgrade to one of the hospitality packages instead.

There’s VIP Boxes for 10 guests with private balconies or you can enjoy hospitality in the Matthews Suite, named after Sir Stanley Matthews. Complete with hospitality balcony seating, three course dining and bar facilities and guest appearances from former/current players. Other more affordable hospitality lounges are also available.

Never been to a game before? You might find these fan guides useful

Ground Expansion

There’s a new East Stand on the way for away spectators at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool Council has now acquired most of the 27 properties it needs for the footprint of the development. Blackpool Football Club is at the planning stage of the replacement for the existing temporary structure. The intention is that it will have a minimum capacity 3600 spectators.

Another scheme will see construction of a new Revoe Sports Village, built on land at the north. The site between the Club and Foxhall Village has been empty for some years, but planning for the overall scheme was passed in January 2023. Plans include an enclosed full-size 11-a-side artificial grass pitch and an enclosed 5-a-side – both floodlit. A single storey changing pavilion and storage building. The Club secured £6.5m of Town Deal funding from the government which must be spent by March 2026. £17m of additional private and other investment is expected. Owner Simon Sadler has committed to making a contribution.

Blackpool Football Club Hotel

There are plenty of hotels and other types of accommodation in Blackpool – with something to suit all football supporters. Choose from small B&B’s, guest houses and large hotels. Or self catering if you prefer.

Blackpool Football Club also has its own hotel – a stylish four-star hotel located within Bloomfield Road Stadium. Treat the family to a holiday, have a weekend break or a business trip – there’s a room for every need. All are well appointed and designed for comfort, with generous sized en-suite bathrooms.

Blackpool FC Hotel is also a member of StayBlackpool.

History of Blackpool Football Club

MANY THANKS to Nick Moore and his fascinating History of Blackpool for some of the historical information used in this page.

Originally The Stanley Arms and now 1887 The Brew Room, this public house on Church Street is famous for being where Blackpool Football Club officially formed after a meeting there on 26 July 1887. The new team grew out of players from St John’s Football Club, which soon folded when all the others left too!

The first home match was on 10 September – a friendly with the first team playing the reserves. Rented ground at Raikes Hall was the site of all home matches. The first proper match was on 17 September, away against Chorley, and they won 2-1.

Blackpool Football Club was also a founder of the Lancashire Football League, formed in 1888 in Preston.

The Club was elected to the Second Division of the Football League on 19 May 1896. Soon afterwards it became a Limited Company, on 18 June. Their first match was against Lincoln City on 5 September 1896. Charles Mount scored the clubs first League goal, but Blackpool lost 3-1.

Tangerine Colours for the Seasiders

The team first worse the famous tangerine coloured shirts in 1923 – but with black shorts. The colour was suggested by then director Albert Hargreaves. He was also an international referee and after refereeing an international game between Holland and Belgium thought the Dutch colours would suit Blackpool. After a spell in light/dark blue between 1933 and 1938, the colours once again went back to tangerine shirts with white shorts.

‘The Seasiders’ has been Blackpool’s nickname since 1906!

Current owner Simon Sadler bought the club with a 96.2% share in June 2019. He also bought the Stadium, the training ground and the hotel.

Triumphs and Wins for Blackpool FC

Here are some of Blackpool FC’s wins and triumphs over the years (taken from their website)

2020-21 – League One Play-Off Winners

The 2020–21 season was the club’s 112th season in the English Football League. The club finished third in League One and won promotion to the EFL Championship via the play-offs beating Lincoln City 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium, both goals being scored by Kenny Dougall.

Jerry Yates was the club’s top scorer, with twenty-three goals in all competitions.

2016-17 League Two Play-Off Winners

The 2016–17 season was Blackpool FC’s 108th season in the Football League. After a 2-1 win over Exeter City in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, Blackpool were promoted to League One.

2009-10 – Championship Play-Off Winners

During the 2009–10 season, Blackpool’s 102nd season in the Football League, the club were promoted to the Premier League for the first time. On 22 May 2010, Blackpool faced Cardiff City in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium beating them 3-2 thanks to goals from Charlie Adam, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Brett Ormerod.

Charlie Adam, in his first season with Blackpool, finished as the club’s top scorer, with nineteen goals in all competitions.

2006-07 – League One Play-Off Winners

The 2006–07 season, Blackpool’s 99th season in the Football League, saw them promoted to the Championship via a 2-0 win against Yeovil Town in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Andy Morrell was the club’s top scorer, with twenty goals (sixteen in the league, three in the FA Cup and one in the League Trophy).

2004 – LDV Trophy Winners

The 2004 Football League Trophy Final was the 21st final of the domestic football cup competition. The final was played at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 21 March 2004. The match was contested between Blackpool and Southend United. Blackpool won the match 2–0 with goals from John Murphy and Danny Coid.

2002 – LDV Trophy Winners

The 2002 Football League Trophy Final (known as the LDV Vans Trophy) was the 19th final of the Football League Trophy. Played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, contested by Blackpool FC and Cambridge United on 24 March 2002. Blackpool won the match 4–1.

2000-01 – Division Three (Old) Play-Off Winners

The 2000–01 season was Blackpool FC’s 93rd season in the Football League. They competed in Division Three, and won the end-of-season play-offs at the Millennium Stadium against Leyton Orient 4-2.

John Murphy was the club’s top scorer with 23 goals (eighteen in the league, one in the FA Cup and four in the League Cup).

1991-92 – Division Four (Old) Play-Off Winners

Blackpool’s 84th season in 1991-92 saw them promoted from Division Four after a 1-1 (4-3 on penalties) win against Scunthorpe United in the play-offs at Wembley.

It was Billy Ayre’s first full season as manager. Dave Bamber was the club’s top scorer with 36 goals (28 in the league, one in the play-offs, one in the FA Cup and six in the League Cup).

1971 – Anglo-Italian Cup Winners

The 1971 Anglo-Italian Cup was the second staging of the annual association football tournament. It featured twelve teams — six from England and six from Italy.

The competition started on 26 May 1971 and concluded on 12 June 1971 with Blackpool beating Bologna 2–1 in the final with John Craven and Micky Burns scoring for Blackpool.

1953 – FA Cup Winners

Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers contested the 1953 FA Cup final. Blackpool won 4–3, equalling the record for the highest scoring FA Cup Final. The match became famous for the performance of Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews, after whom it was nicknamed. It was the third FA Cup Final (after those in 1890 and 1894) to feature a hat-trick, scored by Blackpool’s Stan Mortensen.

1929-30 – Division Two (Old) Winners

The 1929–30 season was Blackpool FC’s 29th season in the Football League. They finished first, winning the Division Two League.

Jimmy Hampson was the club’s top scorer with 46 goals in total (45 in the league and one in the FA Cup). He was also the top goal scorer in England.

Bloomfield Road

This is another one of those original streets of Blackpool which make up the skeleton of the town. Bloomfield Road covers a surprising amount of ground, running from East to West – from Lytham Road all the way inland to Park Road.

• Explore Bloomfield Road here