Latvian “investor”, Valery Belokon, will be in attendance at Bloomfield Road on saturday as the club aim to celebrate what they are dubbing “Latvia Day”.
It is going to be a celebration of everything Belokon, with the team setting foot on the pitch in the Latvian-coloured 3rd kit – which goes on sale on the same day – and also, Kimmel Beer will be flowing through the pumps in the hospitality suite for the first time. One hopes that it’ll be flowing through the pumps in the concourse before kick-off as soon as possible for those of us who have to brave the harsh Autumn winds from the stands.
Along with Mr. Belokon, Normund Malnaks will be attending his first Blackpool game as full-time director at the club, with his wife and two son’s in tow.
Chairman Karl Oyston has stated to the local press that the celebration is all about raising the club’s profile in Latvia, and thanking Mr. Belokon for his investment in the club.
“We are doing it for a couple of reasons. Firstly Mr. Belokon has added a lot to the club and in him we now have someone on board who is trying to take us forward and realise our ambitions.”
“It is nice to be able to do something like this, to play in the colours of the Latvian national team, in honour of him”.
Some supporters have been up in arms since it was announced that the limited edition 3rd kit would be worn, not only on Sky in front of millions of viewers (vs Brighton), but also at home against Bradford City this weekend. Many see it as a “threat” to the traditional colours of the club – Tangerine and White – whereas others see it merely as an attempt to thank Valery Belokon for investing in the club, and raising it’s profile. I can understand where those people objecting to the 3rd kit being worn are coming from. The home colours of the club are tangerine and white, meaning our home kit does not clash with Bradford City’s home colours (or away colours for that matter).
However, in my view, it is only 2 games out of 46 league games that we will be wearing this limited edition kit, so i don’t see a problem with it at all. Either way, what happens on the pitch on saturday is more important than what colours we will be wearing. Red, Black, Pink, Grey, Yellow, Purple…it doesn’t matter to me, it’ll be the same team, the same fans, the same club, just a different overcoat.
Either way, come the final whistle I want the team to be another win better off and pushing for – I never thought i’d say this – a playoff spot come the end of this season. Then we might finally see what this Latvian ‘investment’ is all about.
