Blackpool’s Board released a statement to fans yesterday following the defeat to Peterborough United at the weekend and confirmation of relegation from League One this season.
Saying all the right things given successive relegations, the Board also implored fans to blame them (most already do) and admitted that mistakes had been made over the last few years, and it was now down to the club to learn from that and get things right in the future.
The statement released to the media and the official site read.
‘Everyone at Blackpool Football Club is deeply hurt and disappointed to have experienced relegation to League Two. The board takes full responsibility for the position we now find ourselves in. An urgent board meeting has been called to discuss the Club`s future and implement plans to halt further decline. Mistakes have been made in the last few years and we continue to pay for some of them, whilst learning from others.’
The statement went on to say that having ‘overhauled’ the playing squad last summer, and put a change of ‘philosophy’ in contractual arrangements to try and provide better long term stability, that clearly hadn’t happened and they accepted a more youthful focus and trying to develop players hadn’t happened quickly enough to stem last year’s disappointment.
‘The club virtually overhauled its playing squad last summer and changed its philosophy on contracts to ensure longer-term stability, while investing in younger players to develop. Although the policy hasn`t immediately come to fruition in terms of results on the pitch, the nucleus of a young side remains and the rebuilding work starts immediately to make a swift return to League One.’
The statement ended by saying.
‘We understand that the supporters care passionately about the Club and want to see it succeed. Fan representation on the board has already been initiated. A democratic process for fan board membership will be implemented for the coming season and it is hoped that the fans will have a large say in shaping future policy. It has been proposed that areas of control will be devolved to the FPG so that fans have a level of influence that has previously been absent.’
Adding that additional financial implications of life in League Two needed to be factored into things, as well as complying with League Two rules, so Operations would be reviewed over the summer to ensure everything was right to try and bounce back at the first time of asking.
It also said that the board did not ‘underestimate’ the challenge ahead, but fans will be cynical given the last few years and the fact it appears the challenge this season was also underestimated.
‘There is a determination to bounce back and achieve the results required with the right personnel to deliver this. The board does not underestimate the challenge ahead and will now re-focus its energies to rectify things on-the-pitch and try to repair some of those off it, whilst sadly accepting that some of the issues may not be curable. We look forward to working closely with the Club`s supporters to begin a positive resurgence.’
