Remember the XI - Blackpool 2010/11

by Chris

Blackpool have one of the most interesting stories in world football, and one of the worst if you're a fan of the Tangerines. A fairy-tale rise under Ian Holloway, the pain of relegation, the frustration of poor ownership, all contribute to what has been a remarkable undulation.

Having lost a club legend Jimmy Armfield recently, it got me thinking about the club and the incredible results they achieved during their single season in the Premier League, and although it feels like yesterday, it was 8 years ago! I also wanted to talk about the club's segregation under the Oystons, and now the future without them.

But first, here is the eleven which started Blackpool's most notable match in the Premier League, a 2-1 win at Anfield against my beloved Liverpool. Although only 8 at the time, I was well into football and I knew the aberration the club was going through at the time, with the wrongful appointment of Roy Hodgson and the steady stewardship of Kenny Dalglish. But this was against all odds, as Holloway's side completed an incredible double over the Reds later that year, with a repeat at Bloomfield road later that season.

GK - Matt GILKS

Former Scotland international Gilks was a key figure for the Tangerines that season, conceding one at Anfield to a Sotiris Kyrgiakos header. His stellar performances between the sticks for Blackpool almost led to them staying in the Premier League, with almost no investment from the club that summer, which would've been somewhat a miracle. 

He has gone on to be a backup for Tom Heaton at Burnley, a spell in Scotland with Rangers and now is keeping for Scunthorpe United in League One. 

RB - Neal EARDLEY

Oldham trainee Neal Eardley played 31 times in the league season, scoring a stunning free-kick in a 2-2 draw with Everton. He stayed on at Blackpool after their relegation, even though he had a pay cut of over 50%. He played a leading role in getting Blackpool to the resulting playoff final, losing to a Ricardo Vaz-Te strike for West Ham.

He has gone on to spend his last 5 years club-hopping, and is now playing for Danny Cowley at Lincoln City. 

CB - Ian EVATT

An ever present for the Tangerines, skipper Ian Evatt remained a key figure until they lost that playoff final the next season. He scored his only one of the season  in an away draw at Bolton Wanderers. He joined the club in 2007 after having a spell in the championship with Q.P.R, and a short time in the top flight with Derby County. 

Since leaving, he has become Chesterfield club captain and is still a regular for the Spireites at 36.

CB - Craig CATHCART

One of the notable few who have had decent Premier League careers, Craig Cathcart went on the play for Watford and remains at the club now. He signed for Blackpool on their promotion in July 2010, after coming through the ranks at Manchester United. The Northern Ireland international remained at Bloomfield road until 2014, before joining the Hornets.

LB - Stephen CRAINEY

Now working as an Under 18's assistant at Fleetwood Town, Crainey is one of a couple in this side who are no longer playing. Crainey, after playing 31 times for Blackpool in this season and playing on for them for 2 more years, he moved to Wigan Athletic, then current employers Fleetwood and non-League side AFC Fylde. He was one of few to receive a pay rise at the club to deter the attraction from Wigan who finally got their man in 2013.

CM - David VAUGHAN

The Welsh international is now plying his trade in the Championship with Nottingham Forest, after leaving the Tangerines after relegation in 2011 and joining Steve Bruce's Sunderland. Coming through the famed Alexandra academy and beginning his career at Crewe, he moved to Blackpool in 2008, scoring four times including twice in the Premier League against Everton and West Bromwich Albion. He also captained the club in Charlie Adam's absence in the season.

CM - Charlie ADAM

The catalyst and captain of the promoted side, Charlie Adam was certainly the most influential player for the Tangerines, scoring 16 times in their promotion and 12 times in their only season in the Premier League, and left the club to join Liverpool in 2011. The Scot didn't particularly fit in at Anfield, and was moved to Stoke a year later to play under Tony Pulis. He memorably scored from his own half against Thibaut Courtois, and has faded to a squad role now under Paul Lambert at the Bet365. He scored the first from the spot as Glen Johnson tripped Luke Varney.

RM - Elliot GRANDIN

Another one who joined on their arrival in the Premier League, Grandin brought the supposed foreign flair to the Brexit football model that seemed to be encouraged in Blackpool back in the days of 2010. Sounds mad saying 'back in the days of 2010' doesn't it, but it really is the best part of a decade ago! Signing from CSKA Sofia after being convinced by the jokey yet serious model of Ian Holloway, he opened his account for the club against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw. 

He's now playing for Cypriot side Ermis Aradippou F.C, after spells at Crystal Palace, Shrewsbury and a return to the Tangerines.

LM - Gary TAYLOR-FLETCHER

Famed as one of the most unfit looking footballers to have ever played in the Premier League, Taylor-Fletcher looked more a McDonalds regular than a first team regular, but his story is a bit like Blackpool's, one of incredible undulation. He started his career at Non-League Northwich Victoria, after a small career in roofing in the North West. He rose through the leagues with clubs such as Leyton Orient and Huddersfield before joining Blackpool, and scoring a goal in the Playoff final.

After leaving Blackpool in 2013, he helped Leicester to promotion under Nigel Pearson in 2014. He then joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan, and then moving back up north permanently with Tranmere and Accrington Stanley. He is now the player-manager of Bangor City.

ST - Luke VARNEY

Joining from Championship side Derby County on a loan deal until the end of the season, Varney scored 5 goals in the first 12 games of the season, but didn't score in the remaining 19 of the season. He began his career at Quorn F.C, and was sold for a 'meaty' £50,000 to Crewe Alexandra, to play alongside David Vaughan, and the club received a £500,000 windfall from his £2m transfer to Charlton in 2007. He now plies his trade still in England's second tier with minnows Burton Albion, and has been with five different clubs seven years since the time of departure. He scored Blackpool's second in this fixture just before half time, as they led 2-0 at Anfield.

ST - DJ CAMPBELL

Club record signing DJ Campbell joined from Leicester permanently for a reported £1.25m in 2010. A nomadic striker who had 14 clubs to his name, Campbell scored 13 league goals in the 10/11 season, making him the top scorer for the club in Premier League history. His career came to an end in 2015, after having spells at Q.P.R, Ipswich, Blackburn. Millwall, and came to a climax at Non-league Maidenhead United.

So now we've recounted the best days in the club's recent history, it's only fair to look to the future. Under new chairwoman Natalie Christopher, the club is now beginning a new post-Oyston era. The club, so segregated in it's support inside and outside the stadium, can finally come together as one again. Last year the club experienced another playoff triumph but perhaps on a lower scale, as Mark Cullen fired them to League One against Paul Tisdale's unlucky Exeter, and it lays down a foundation for the club's latest upward correlation.

I hope you enjoyed the latest edition of the Sporting Lowdown, please share to all your friends and family to get as many readers as I can, and all feedback is very much appreciated.