The club is disappointed to announce today that Blackpool FC have advised that they will not fulfil the previously agreed friendly with Spennymoor Town.
The game was scheduled for this Saturday (13th July) at Shildon’s Dene Street whilst pitch works took place at The Brewery Field.
But a change of management at Bloomfield Road has seen Simon Grayson take charge of the Tangerines and commit to a series of friendlies in Scotland, which will make the trip to the North East impossible.
Managing Director Tony Wilson, First Team Manager Jason Ainsley and Club Secretary David Leitch have been scrambling to arrange a replacement fixture at extremely short notice and have managed to secure a trip to North Yorkshire to face Evo Stik Northern Premier League North West Division side Tadcaster Albion.
Tony Wilson said: “Obviously we’re very disappointed for our supporters and also for Shildon, who were looking forward to hosting a Football League side at the weekend.
“I understand Blackpool are going through a period of change, which has now unfortunately had an impact on our preparations for the season.
“Thank you to Tadcaster, who have stepped into the breach when we needed a fixture and I’m sure they’ll be as pleased as us to get our lads down there for a tough test.
“Due to the extremely short notice, we regret that we will not be able to provide a supporters’ coach for the trip. We won’t even be able to provide a team coach due to availability, so we’re making the trip in cars.
“We apologise to Shildon AFC for the uncertainty this change has caused them and assure them it is just as inconvenient for Spennymoor Town. Unfortunately, this turn of events is completely out of our control.”
Jason Ainsley said: “Of course we were looking forward to playing a side of Blackpool’s calibre, but we won’t let this derail our preparations for the season, which have been going well.
“The squad looks very strong and the lads are preparing
diligently for the campaign ahead. We’ll
take this in our stride and focus on what we can control.”
The Moors’ next friendly is tomorrow night away to neighbours West Auckland. It will be followed by the game against Tadcaster, then Shildon, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Dunston UTS and Harrogate.
The Vanarama National League North season kicks off on Saturday 3rd August away to Hereford Town.
