Famous Blackpool Off To..

Signing off for the season is SeasideEssexXile, who writes his final ground guide: it comes no bigger…

Wembley – A neutral ground
We`re the famous Blackpool FC and we`re going to Wembley, Wemberley, Wemberley??
Who would have thought it come the end of September that our season still wouldn`t have ended going in to the last week of May. Jesus, the b loody fixtures are out 3 weeks today (Thursday)!!

What a season, what a team, what a manager, I was expecting to return from holiday and Larry would have been gone. He said give me 8 games, he was given a little extra (not only the Halifax who does that then) and boy has he paid it back with interest. So putting aside Millmoor + Saltergate here we go, the national stadium no longer means a trip to the Franchise FC it`s a home coming to a new home, 15years after our last happy day out there.

The ground
It looks impressive and I can`t wait. Brand spanking new – better late than never, it`s a 90000 all seater (those that haven`t faded) the skyline will be our first glimpse. The arch which dominates it actually does have a functional use, and fans have remarked how the stadium itself reminds them of the Emirates along the road at Arsenal. Big screens for us to *enjoy / cry at (*delete as necessary come Sunday), the world cup winning captain statue, Wembley way, the whole shebang oozes history and of course it is the scene of our greatest triumph. Decent leg room, lack of breeze blocks it allegedly has quality written all over it, although some recent visitors have remarked about rust showing already – it`s a home from home then…

How to get there
Now here`s the sticking point. Long thrown out arguments over the national stadium being resited in a central location i.e. the Midlands the downside to this place is that it is literally a public transport ground.

The 55, the 6 then the 1 or the 40 will take you to a number of locations – Stanmore / Croxley take your pick but it appears to be the best bet to use the tube for the last leg of our trek to the capital. Tube stations to the ground include Wembley Park, Wembley Central and Wembley Stadium. Allow a 10-15minute walk. Parking is available for the brave, but fans are advised to book in advance.
Virgin lovers – it`s a bank holiday Sunday do I really need to say any more?

Where to drink?
It`s Laandon so expect Laandon prices. £3.50 a pint inside the ground and not much cheaper than outside. The pubs around the ground will be heaving. I expect Pool fans to head for the usual haunts – the HITW etc.
Word of warning eat before you get in to the ground. A pie, yes a single pie is £4.50, jacket potato (again single not a whole field) £4.

Plod & Stewards
It`s the met, so depending what sort of week they`ve had will reflect their ‘tolerance` to us Northen monkeys landing in Laandaon village. Stewards, they`ll be new, wanting to impress to keep their jobs, expect a hopefully low key approach.


Fear Factor Rating -1
It`s a glorious occasion, both sets of fans are out in numbers there should be no agg regardless of the result.


According to Ronan Keating life is a roller coaster, one things for certain you have plenty of highs and plenty of lows following the mighty, here`s hoping that come Sunday tea-time 29 years of hurt are ended and that we are looking Onwards + Upwards towards Sheepdale + Turd Moor. Lancashire derbies hopefully here we come.
Onwards + Upwards


I’d like to thank Essex for his dedication to the site this season. Thankyou!