In the second of our new series, we take you back to November 2005, where the Seasiders crashed out of the FA Cup in the First Round with a 4-1 defeat against Doncaster at Belle Vue; a defeat that was mark the end of Colin Hendry’s spell as Blackpool manager.
The game is now infamous for the ‘Buttygate’ scandal, but the on the field problems had been there for all Seasiders to see for a long while and the Scot finally got the boot just hours after the game.
Although a popular choice when originally appointed, the Scot nearly drove us down into the bottom tier of English football – which makes our rise since all the more remarkable.
Both sides have changed an awful lot since this clash, so let’s have a look at how they lined up:
Doncaster – Budtz, Mulligan, Foster, Fenton, McDaid, Offiong, Thornton, Ravenhill, McIndoe, Heffernan, Guy. Subs – Fortune-West, Albrighton, Roberts, Richardson, Green.
Blackpool – Pogliacomi, Warrender, Clarke, McGregor, Edwards, Wiles, Doolan, Grayson, Southern, Blinkhorn, Murphy. Subs – Prendergast, Jones, Evans, Butler, Vernon.
I could sum this match up in three words: we were battered. In the pouring rain (I spent the whole game on the terrace calling for Hendry’s head, like most fans), Doncaster ran riot.
After two minutes Richard Offiong and Lewis Guy combined to present Michael McIndoe with a glorious chance, but the midfielder somehow fired wide from just two yards out.
Both Guy and McIndoe then fired wide just minutes later as Doncaster camped themselves just outside the Blackpool area.
Paul Heffernan nearly made it 1-0 after lobbing Pogliacomi, but his effort landed on the roof of the net.
Pogliacomi then tipped over from Offiong before denying the attacker again just moments later with a great save after his defence went AWOL.
Doncaster finally took the lead just before the 20 minute mark; McIndoe and Guy combined to assist Paul Heffernan who fired home.
Heffernan then hit the post five minutes later as Doncaster ran riot.
Blackpool’s only chance of the first half fell to Peter Clarke; the inspirational skipper heading over from a Simon Wiles corner.
Half time: Doncaster 1-0 Blackpool
Blackpool had the first chance of the second half; Jan Budtz parrying Keith Southern’s long-rang effort. That was a high point though, as soon the floodgates opened.
After missing several gilt edged chances, Rovers were awarded a penalty after Warrender tripped McIndoe. McIndoe picked himself up, dusted himself off and coolly slotted home. 2-0.
Warrender then gave another penalty away just minutes later for a ridiculous challenge on Lewis Guy. McIndoe did the business once again from the spot. 3-0.
Just after the hour, Colin Hendry made his first change; Prendergast replacing Warrender as the Seasiders switched to a 3-5-2 formation.
Pogliacomi then produced a brave save at the feet of Heffernan to prevent a certain goal.
Doncaster made it 4-0 after Heffernan latched onto a great ball from Lewis Guy and slotted home.
Scott Vernon replaced John Doolan with 15 minutes left with the veteran midfielder looking like he might get sent off against his old club.
With five minutes to go John Murphy had a header cleared off the line, before ‘Pool scored a consolation goal in stoppage time when Peter Clarke scored from the spot, but by then I was on the way home.
The Seasiders next game was a home game in League One against Scunthorpe, a game that was live on Sky. Perhaps sensing national embarrassment, Karl Oyston axed Hendry immediately after the game and installed Simon Grayson as caretaker manager, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Let’s hope that we’re not on the end of another 4-1 scoreline tomorrow afternoon!
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