On Me ‘ead, Son!

The record between the two teams is quite even, with ‘Pool edging the wins count only slightly.

League:
Blackpool wins – 36
Draws – 18
Leicester – 30

Cup:
Blackpool wins – 0
Draws – 1
Leicester wins – 4

Overall:
Blackpool wins – 36
Draws – 19
Leicester wins – 34

The first ever clash between City and Blackpool took place on 3rd October 1896 when Leicester ran out 2-1 winners, whilst playing at Victoria Park, and the club continued to play each other twice a season until 1915 when football was suspended for World War One.

Rivalries were resumed in 1919, as the war drew to a close, and The Seasiders completed the double of the Foxes, winning 3-0 and 3-2. Bill Normans Blackpool finished the season in fourth place, whereas City were down in 14th with 22 teams competing in the old Second Division.

In the 1924/25 season, City gained promotion to the old First Division along with Manchester United and the paths of ‘Pool and City wouldn`t cross on a regular basis again for five years.

The 1936/37 season saw Joe Smith`s Blackpool`s team winning 6-2 and 2-1 in the two league games between the sides, both managed promotion to the top flight of English Football – the first time ‘Pool had done in their history. Smith was to go on and achieve much more at Bloomfield Road.

Leicester were relegated in 1939, and not to be seen in the top division again until 1954, with ‘Pool still there going strong – having come so close to the league title and playing in three FA Cup finals.

The sides paths crossed on a number of occasions in the First Division right through to 1969, when in the old Second Division Blackpool pipped City to promotion by two points. The following season ‘Pool were relegated whilst City won the second division title with 59 points (remember, only two points for a win!).

The next meeting would be at Bloomfield Road in 2001 at the scene of Ade Akinbiyi`s opening goal of the season (a monumental moment, you`ll agree I`m sure. I had to check when I saw his celebration – League Cup or World Cup? Hard to tell) Incidentally, his opening Premiership goal that season came in November – and to think he was sold to Crystal Palace for £5million. That transfer fee defines the madness of Football in my view. He`d played nearly every game for City that season and scored three goals – go figure the five million fee!

Anyway, after my Akinbiyi interlude; back to City v Blackpool.

The FA Cup saw Colin Hendry`s Blackpool nearly cause a surprise upset in 2005, as they drew 2-2 away, only for a Joey Gudjohnsson screamer past Lewis Edge in the replay to knock ‘Pool out.

Finally, the last meeting the two teams endured was again in 2005, this time in the League Cup, when Hendry`s men lost 2-1, despite Keigan Parker equalising with only 20 minutes remaining.

So, given the recent stats it looks a home banker, but think before putting your pencil anywhere near your football coupon, history suggests we might just come away with something?