Following the resignation of Lee Clark, Blackpool appointed new manager Neil McDonald on Tuesday as they prepare for life in Sky Bet League One.
Blackpool Football ClubName:
Nickname: The Seasiders
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Founded: 1887
How They Got Here
The Seasiders started the 2014/15 season with Jose Riga in charge but he was dismissed after fourteen matches with the club rooted to the Championship relegation places.
Former Birmingham City boss Lee Clark came in to replace him but still Blackpool struggled on the pitch, failing to win a single away league match.
Their drop to the third tier was confirmed following Rotherham United’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion in April.
The Tangerines were unable to make-up the 19-point gap between themselves and the Millers or Fulham.
They were the first team to be relegated from the Football League’s top four divisions in 2014/15 and next season will be their first in League One since 2007.
The Man In Charge
Blackpool announced on Tuesday that former Newcastle United and Everton player Neil McDonald is to take charge of the club’s first team.
The ex-England under-21 international enjoyed 15-years as a midfielder before moving into coaching following his retirement.
He got his first job in management at Carlisle United but spent just a year at Brunton Park before taking over at Swedish side Ostersunds FK for five weeks, during which time he helped save the club from relegation.
McDonald then joined Sam Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers before following him to West Ham United, where he has spent the last four years.
Stadium
Bloomfield Road has been home to Blackpool since its construction in 1901. It was the 68th ground to host a Football League match.
The stadium has been in redevelopment since the early 2000s and currently houses a temporary stand, which was built ready for the club’s 2010/11 Premier League campaign.
The ground has a current capacity of around 17,340 and is located about 81.5 miles away from Vale Park – a journey that will take around an hour and a half in the car.
To get to Bloomfield Road, take the M6 northbound to junction 32 and join the M55 going west. Continue along the motorway and then across the roundabout onto Yeadon Way and follow the road onto Seasiders Way. The stadium will be on the right.
Previous Meetings
The last time Blackpool and Port Vale were in the same division was in the 2006/07 season. The clubs exchanged blows, each beating the other at their own ground.
The Valiants landed the first punch with a 2-1 win at Vale Park with goals from Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje sealing the three points. Keith Southern replied for the Seasiders.
Four months later Blackpool returned the favour with a 2-1 victory at Bloomfield Road. Andy Morrell and David Fox scored for the hosts while Sodje bagged a last minute Vale consolation.