Today will mark the fourteenth instalment of the Fylde Coast derby as Fleetwood Town make the short trip to Bloomfield Road for a clash with Blackpool that will bear consequences at both ends of the League One table – but what is the history of this more recent rivalry?
With both clubs predominantly finding themselves in the third tier throughout the last decade, their separate histories could not be further apart.
🔙 Sullay Kaikai's free-kick set the Seasiders well on their way in a 3-1 victory over today's opponents back in 2019.
🍊#UTMP pic.twitter.com/yWgY9zQ5Dd
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) April 9, 2024
The New Kids On The Coast?
Reforming as Fleetwood Wanderers to then Fleetwood Freeport in 1997 before eventually reverting to their former name of Fleetwood Town before the 2002/03 season.
After The Cod Army were denied promotion from the North West Counties League in the 2003/04 season, chairman Andy Pilley’s ambition was not halted as the club went on to enjoy two successive promotions in the following seasons.
This swift ascent through the football pyramid was eventually crowned with a historic promotion into the English Football League in the 2011/12 season after topping the Blue Square Conference Premier with 103 points, spearheaded by Premier League legend Jamie Vardy’s 31 goals.
The club made it a sixth promotion in ten years only two years later after defeating Burton Albion at Wembley to clinch promotion to League One in 2014 – poetic for the fans who saw the former club Fleetwood Rangers falter in the 1985 FA Vase final at Wembley.
Fleetwood Town have since established themselves well in the third tier in their tenth season having also achieved a play-off spot on one occasion.
Is this derby a derby?
Blackpool’s history is almost the polar opposite of their neighbours. Forming in 1887, 110 years prior to the Cod Army, the Tangerines boast the 1952 FA Cup, 28 top-flight seasons and a Ballon d’Or winner in Stanley Matthews – one of the most famous footballers in the world in the 1950s.
In more recent history, many will remember Ian Holloway’s 2010/11 Blackpool team that caught the hearts of many as the brave side defined the term ‘underdog’ as they were narrowly relegated on the final day despite a valiant survival effort.
Often regarding Preston North End as their main rivals, the differing plights of the Fylde Coast outfits have seen the clubs meet on level terms many times over the last decade. The prospect of this being a regular fixture would have been unthinkable to fans when both clubs sat four divisions apart in 2010 as the Seasiders won promotion at Wembley to the Premier League. However, opposite trajectories saw Fleetwood travel to Bloomfield Road in the third division in 2015.
In those meetings, the records show six wins for Blackpool, two for Fleetwood Town and six draws between the Lancashire sides, with the most recent meeting seeing an exciting 3-3 draw at Highbury Stadium when Jack Marriott equalised right at the death.
What Of Today’s Meeting?
A fixture bearing importance at both ends of the table, reaching the play-offs is not completely off the table for Blackpool. Meanwhile, the time is now if Fleetwood are to maintain their League One status.
Sitting eighth in the table, Blackpool are six points adrift of the coveted promotion spots with only twelve points left to play for. A play-off finish would require almost a perfect record from Neil Critchley’s side if their aspirations for an instant return to the Championship are to be achieved.
One of the biggest positives to take out of Blackpool’s season will be their home form. Critchley’s side will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run at Bloomfield Road to eleven as the Seasiders boast the fourth-best home record in League One.
At the opposite end of the table, Fleetwood Town have languished in the relegation zone throughout the season, currently finding themselves six points behind Port Vale with five games remaining.
Currently under their third manager of the season, the former Blackpool player turned Fleetwood boss Charlie Adam will also require a near-perfect record to stand any chance of survival this season. However, with the Cod Army currently winless in five, it may prove a tall order to secure a first competitive win over their local rivals.
What has been said?
In an interview on Monday regarding tonight’s derby on Blackpool’s official website, Critchley said:
“I’m sure they’ll be wanting to respond.
“If you look at the games they’ve played they have been very tight and very close. They’ve been pretty low-scoring games apart from the defeat at Oxford, so we’re expecting a tight game but they are in a similar situation to us where they’ve got to get three points themselves.
“A point for both teams doesn’t really help.”
Whereas the opposition manager, Adam, stated on returning to his former club:
“I have real pride in the job that I do, and I’m honoured to be here, but I’ve got to win football matches to get three points and get my team out of the position we are in.
"It's another challenge in front of us and we've got to relish that" 🗣️#ftfc boss @Charlie26Adam has spoken to @BBCLancsSport this afternoon ahead of Tuesday's clash at Bloomfield Road.#OnwardTogether pic.twitter.com/qZtqBHQR2v
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) April 8, 2024
“This is another challenge in front of us, we know what the atmosphere is like, and we’ve got to relish that. I’m looking forward to challenging against a team in the top half of the league and trying to get in the play-offs.
“My full focus is being the head coach of this football club and I’m privileged to be in this position.”
With a huge three points to play for that could have massive ramifications at both ends of the table, this rendition of the Fylde Coast Derby could be one of the most important in the history books.
