Blackpool Trust call for Pompey assistance

Followers of the Tangerines have been embroiled in a long-running battle with the Oyston family, after seeing the club plummet from the Premier League into League Two within five years.

As part of the dispute, many fans continue to boycott Bloomfield Road matches.

Now the Blues, who tomorrow night visit Blackpool, have been contacted by Blackpool Supporters’ Trust chairman, Steve Rowland.

And in a letter addressed to his Pompey Trust counterparts, he has pleaded for fans not purchase from club outlets.

He wrote: ‘You are obviously aware that Blackpool fans are in ongoing dispute with the Oystons over what we regard as their very poor custodianship of our club in recent seasons.

‘The majority of us have not renewed season tickets and are not attending home games this season as part of a consumer-led boycott in protest over the situation at Blackpool FC.

‘We hope you enjoy your visit to Blackpool. There are designated ‘away’ pubs in the town. The Manchester is the nearest one to the ground.

‘All we would request is that visiting fans buy drinks, food, etc from the shops and chippies in the local area (outside the ground) rather than from the club outlets in the stadium.

‘In addition, if you have someone who can take photographs of the home stands and send them to us, it helps us do a forensic count of the number of home fans attending the game (a number that tends to be at odds with the official figures).’

Rowland can be contacted at [email protected]