Meet the opposition | Blackpool
As Swansea City get set to host Blackpool at the Swansea.com Stadium, we take a closer look at the Seasiders.
What’s their story?
Established in 1887, Blackpool were founding members of the Lancashire League, before being invited to play in the Football League in 1896.
Blackpool’s finest hour came in 1953 when they won the FA Cup, triumphing against Bolton 4-3 at Wembley in what is known as the ‘Matthew's final’, after Sir Stanley Matthews inspired a fightback from 3-1 down.
Under the guidance of manger Joe Smith, the same generation of players secured their highest-ever league finish during the 1955-56 season, finishing runners-up to Manchester United's Busby Babes. That same season also saw Matthews become the inaugural winner of the Ballon d’Or.
Blackpool’s most recent stint in the Premier League came under the charismatic leadership of Ian Holloway. After gaining promotion via the Championship play-offs against Cardiff City in 2010, the Tangerines only held top-flight status for a solitary season, finishing in 19th place and suffering relegation back to the Championship.
A few tough seasons followed on and off the pitch, and the Seasiders dropped as far as League Two. However, their fortunes were revived under Neil Critchley, who guided them back to the Championship before departing over the summer of 2022 to join Aston Villa's coaching staff.
How's their form?
Blackpool have not won a Championship fixture since October 29 and have picked up just six points over that period from 13 games.
However, a dramatic fightback earned them a valuable point against Huddersfield, and they followed that up with another point against Rotherham to remain firmly within sight of safety.
Who’s the gaffer?
Mick McCarthy. The 64-year-old Yorkshireman replaced Michael Appleton as Blackpool boss in January as the battle to avoid the drop.
McCarthy started his playing career with hometown club Barnsley, and went on to represent Manchester City, Celtic, Lyon, Millwall and the Republic of Ireland before retiring.
He moved into management with the Lions, before becoming Republic of Ireland boss and leading them to the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
He went on to guide Sunderland and Wolves to promotion to the Premier League in his next two roles, before having a six-year stint in charge of Ipswich.
He returned to the Republic job in 2018, but left in 2020 before a short stint with Cypriot top-flight club APOEL.
A nine-month stint in charge of Cardiff City followed in 2021, before his appointment at Bloomfield Road.
Who’s the captain?
Welsh goalkeeper Chris Maxwell has been club captain since 2020, after joining on a free transfer from Preston North End. He has made 103 appearances for the Seasiders since.
Under his leadership, the former Wrexham shot stopper helped the Tangerines to promotion to the Championship, whilst gaining the personal accolade of the Golden Glove award for his 21 league clean sheets that campaign.
Injury disrupted his 2021-22 season, but he still made 21 appearances in all competitions.
Injury also affected the start of this term, but he returned in October and he and Gary Madine have shared the armband in recent weeks, after defender Marvin Ekpiteta had led the side for much of 2022-23.
Who are the key men?
QPR and Everton academy product Josh Bowler is back at Bloomfield Road on loan, having departed for Nottingham Forest last summer.
Forest sent the winger on loan to Olympiakos over the first half of the season, but he is on familiar turf having played a starring role in the Seasiders’ promotion to the Championship in 2021 and in their first campaign back in the second tier.
Pacy, skilful and direct, Bowler is a real handful for defences, particularly in transition. He has wasted little time making his presence felt as he netted a dramatic late equaliser against Huddersfield.
On-loan teenage Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino has been a bright spark in an often challenging season for Blackpool, contributing three goals and two assists in 23 Championship appearances.
Long identified as a potential future star by the Gunners, he made his senior bow for the north London club in an EFL Cup win over Sunderland in December 2021, marking the occasion with a goal.
He went on to start the FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest before being handed the opportunity to gain more first-team experience on the Lancashire coast.
Forward Jerry Yates has been the main attacking threat for Blackpool this term, netting 10 goals and registering five assists.
The Rotherham academy product made his debut for the Millers in 2015, and also had loan spells with Harrogate (twice), Carlisle and Swindon before making the move to Blackpool in the summer of 2020.
He has three promotions to his name having helped Rotherham to play-off success in 2018, was part of Swindon’s League Two winning squad in 2020 and then was back at Wembley a year later as Blackpool secured a place in the Championship.
Overall, Yates has 41 goals in 128 appearances for the Seasiders.