Black Days in Blackpool

Five years ago, Blackpool played in the English Premier League.  Now the Seasiders are on their way down to the Third Division with a record of just four wins, thirteen draws and a whopping 28 defeats.

But fans in this cit of 140,000 on the coast of the Irish Sea in Northwestern England aren't taking relegation lightly.  As reported by David Goldblatt in the May 2 editions of The New York Times, have taken to the streets and the pitch to protest the apparent mismanagement of the club by chairman Karl Oysten.  Since the fans' displeasure was made public in April 2014, Goldblatt wwrites that ". . . there have been boycotts and walkouts, flash mobs and smoke bombs in the Oystons’ village, as well as sabotage of the signage of Oyston real estate agencies. After relegation was assured, thousands of supporters protested inside and outside the stadium during a game against Reading. Flares and fireworks were set off, and eggs were thrown at the directors’ box."

At least one group of supporters,  the Blackpool Supporters Trust, is seeking to have the team controlled by fans.  Whether they are successful remains to be seen.  For now they need to get used to the Third Division this August.