On Me ‘ead, Son!

Blackpool Wins

League – 27
Cup – 2
Overall – 29

Draws

League – 26
Cup – 0

Hull Wins
League – 37
Cup – 3
Overall – 40

Looking at the past history between the clubs, Hull City have the advantage with 11 more wins than the Seasiders. However, Simon Grayson’s men will be aiming to increase ‘Pool’s won tally in front of the Sky cameras on Monday night.

The very first meeting between the clubs took place way back when, on the 14th March 1906 with Hull coming out the victors, 2-1, in the 2nd division of old.

For the next few seasons, Hull would get the spoils more than often with ‘Pool only able to grind out draws against the Yorkshire club until the 1909/1910 season when they managed a 2-1 victory away from home, the reverse fixture was exactly that, a 2-1 victory for Hull.

The seasons leading up to the War were fairly back and forth for each side, winning one fixture while losing the other.

When football resumed after the War ended, Blackpool began on the front foot with a full-house against Hull in the 1919/1920 season, winning 1-0 and 2-1 respectively in those fixtures.

At the turn of the next decade, the teams played each other 3 times in the same season, with the extra fixture taking place in the FA Cup with Hull the victors, 3-1. In the league, the sides got 3 points apiece once again with a 2-1 loss and a 3-0 victory for the Tangerines.

In the ’35/’36 season, ‘Pool hammered the Tigers home and away, 4-1 and 3-0 respectively and that would be the last time the teams would meet until September 1967 where ‘Pool once again ran out victors in the old 2nd division.

Mixed fortunes followed for the remainder of the 60’s and 70’s as Blackpool began their slump into the lower reaches of the League Ladder.

In the 90’s and the new millennium, honours were even with 5 victories apiece from 1992-2005 and 2 draws. The most recent tie between the two clubs was in the Carling Cup back in 2005-2006 when ‘Pool ran out the victors at Bloomfield Road in front of just 3,819 fans, with goals from Captain Marvel, Peter Clarke and current gaffer, Simon Grayson with a thunderbolt from 30 yards…with his left foot! An image that still remains in my head today.

Incidentally, 7 of the players in the 16-man squad that night are still contracted to the club…one of which is now the manager!!

Monday night’s tie promises to be a feisty one, with both clubs tipped to struggle this season at the bookies. However ‘Pool have proven to be no pushovers so far against tougher opposition – as Tuesday night’s game showed! – and just lack the cutting edge in front of goal.

Hull City also underwent a takeover during the summer and have brought in some big names and were rumoured to be after former Bolton star, Jay-Jay Okocha!

Grayson is looking to strengthen his side before the transfer deadline tonight at midnight and will be looking to see what players – if any are brought in – will slot into the squad, and whether they will make their debut on Monday night.