[Bispham Seasider]

Saturday 15th March 12.30pm Bloomfield Road we finally get the match we have all looked forward to all season. Forget every other match. Forget everything else. Monday morning it will be either time to gloat or time to hide.

In towns like Kirkham, which is halfway between the two towns, families are split with brothers supporting both teams.

Over 100 pubs will be closed before and after the match to try and prevent the trouble which happened before and after the game over at Dumpdale earlier this season when Wes Hoolahan made himself a Blackpool legend with his cheeky chipped penalty to seal our 1-0 win.

This months FourFourTwo magazine has devoted a four page article to the derby, with the title, "Sheep Shaggers vs Donkey Lashers"

To give a small taste some small extracts:

"Sheep shagging in-bred bas**rds, I can't wait until the morning". Welcome to the Devonshire Arms in Blackpool's northern suburbs (*). It's a local pub for local people - "no tourists in here trying to take the pi$$"..... Preston was the first thing we thought about when we won at Wembley in May said a Devonshire Arms regular Blackpool fan who runs coaches to away games under the glorious title, "Tate Independent Travel Services" (TITS).

One former Preston manager, Gary Peters took the rivalry so seriously he publicly refused to utter the name Blackpool, always referring to the Seasiders as "that lot with the Tower". It almost earned him a good thumping when he was cornered on the car park outside Bloomfield Road after one game, but he faced them up and managed to get away unharmed.

The Devonshire lads, who talk under a framed picture of Blackpool Tower, "See that?" said one, "I don't ever want to live where I can't see that tower."

The article also mentions all the usual stuff about the towns. How Blackpool has more visitors each year than the whole of Greece and more hotel beds than the whole of Portugal; how the town eats more chip (french fries!) per capita than anywhere on earth (yuk) and has Europes second most popular tourist attraction with the Pleasure Beach fun park being only topped by The Vatican in Rome. But of course it is till run down!

The article also refers back to 1970 and how the real rivalry began one night in April of that year. A night that saw Blackpool win 3-0 at Dumpdale and earn promotion back to the top flight (what is now the Premiership) inf front of a crowd of over 34,000 with over 15,000 from Blackpool + another 3,000 Seasiders fans locked out. The result also went a long way to PKE's relegation a few weeks later.

And of course the train journey to Preston for Blackpool fans back in December and how they were greeted with airport style security scanners searching for weapons (the same will happen tomorrow for PKE fans on trains). And the same will happen on the M55 with banners aimed at PKE fans the same they did to us back in December.

Also tomorrow the drummers have said how they will be beating extra loudly given that they were banned from Dumpdale back in December.

First team coach Steve Thompson is Blackpool born and bred and knows all about what the "West Lancashire Derby" means to the fans, especially Blackpool fans. The management have tried all week to play down the match to the players, but they know how we feel. Everywhere Wes Hoolahan goes in and around Blackpool and on the Fylde coast he now gets asked about "that penalty".

The only player who has been directly transferred between the two clubs is Tony Ellis- a move which many PKE fan have never forgiven him. He was a legendary striker at PKE, he even scored a hat-trick at Bloomfield Road when PKE won 3-2. But in 1994 he signed for Blackpool and PKE fans still to this day have never forgiven him. I remember still the first game we played them at Dumpdale since his transfer, and the abuse he got was constant lasting from kick-off to final whistle, literally every time he touched the ball. "Tony Ellis = Judas" banners were held up. He didn't score unfortunately but we still all think it is funny that he is the only player to ever go directly between the two clubs. Other players, such as Michael Jackson (now our club captain and who got a decent response by the Nobbers to be fair when we played them back in December) and Brett Ormerod (who is now at PKE) have played for both clubs, but neither of them, nor the other handful of players to have played for both clubs, went directly between the two clubs. Jackson signed for us from Tranmere Rovers. Ormerod signed for them lot from Southampton.

Anyway, I have rabbited on enough now, I think that sort of gives something of the flavour of this derby. Forget Celtic vs Rangers. Forget ManUre vs Liverpool or any other derby in England. Tomorrow, to Blackpool and Preston fans, the West Lancashire Derby is "the derby".

BRING IT ON!

[Dynamogal]

We won't be able to listen "live" tomorrow as we have a charity event in the morning. Give them hell, boys!

[Dynamogal]

1 Paul Rachubka

25 Shaun Barker

17 Kaspars Gorkss

6 Ian Evatt

3 Stephen Crainey

12 Gary Taylor-Fletcher

16 Claus Bech Jorgensen

28 Michael Flynn

11 Wesley Hoolahan

8 Stephen McPhee

27 Ben Burgess

SUBS

14 David Fox

20 Andrew Welsh

7 Keigan Parker

2 Danny Coid

9 Andrew Morrell

[Dynamogal]

0:09 Handball by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

3:33 Foul by Ben Burgess(Blackpool) on Callum Davidson(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

5:55 Foul by Tamas Priskin(Preston) on Kaspars Gorkss(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

7:22 Shot by Darren Carter(Preston) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Billy Jones(Preston). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Darren Carter(Preston) to near post, save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

11:17 Cross by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool), clearance by Sean St. Ledger(Preston).

11:32 Shot by Claus Bech Jorgensen(Blackpool) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

12:08 Foul by Chris Brown(Preston) on Stephen Crainey(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

12:39 Cross by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool), clearance by Sean St. Ledger(Preston).

13:10 Cross by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool), header by Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

[Dynamogal]

17:13 Shot by Ben Burgess(Blackpool) mishit left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Foul by Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool) on Callum Davidson(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

18:24 Shot by Chris Sedgwick(Preston) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

21:49 Cross by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool), clearance by Billy Jones(Preston). Corner from left by-line taken short left-footed by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool).

22:29 Cross by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool), clearance by Callum Davidson(Preston). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) to centre, save (caught) by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

23:37 Foul by Chris Brown(Preston) on Stephen Crainey(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

27:53 Foul by Youl Mawene(Preston) on Ben Burgess(Blackpool). Youl Mawene(Preston) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken left-footed by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool) from left channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

28:30 Foul by Tamas Priskin(Preston) on Michael Flynn(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

[Dynamogal]

29:35 Cross by Claus Bech Jorgensen(Blackpool), header by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (punched) by Andy Lonergan(Preston). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) to far post, resulting in open play.

29:54 Shot by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) left-footed from left wing (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

30:48 Handball by Ben Burgess(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Callum Davidson(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

32:21 Shot by Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool) volleyed right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (tipped round post) by Andy Lonergan(Preston). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) to far post, clearance by Sean St. Ledger(Preston).

35:05 Foul by Paul McKenna(Preston) on Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool). Paul McKenna(Preston) booked for unsporting behaviour. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool) from left channel, resulting in open play.

36:58 Foul by Billy Jones(Preston) on Ben Burgess(Blackpool). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool) from right channel, passed. Shot by Michael Flynn(Blackpool) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

39:33 Foul by Ian Evatt(Blackpool) on Tamas Priskin(Preston). Ian Evatt(Blackpool) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Carter(Preston) from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

39:49 Cross by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool), clearance by Youl Mawene(Preston).

42:45 Foul by Billy Jones(Preston) on Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool). Billy Jones(Preston) booked for dissent. Free kick crossed right-footed by Claus Bech Jorgensen(Blackpool) from left wing, clearance by Callum Davidson(Preston). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) to far post, foul by Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool) on Billy Jones(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

44:43 Cross by Billy Jones(Preston), clearance by Shaun Barker(Blackpool).

45:00
(1:19) Foul by Michael Flynn(Blackpool) on Billy Jones(Preston). Free kick crossed right-footed by Paul McKenna(Preston) from right wing, clearance by Ben Burgess(Blackpool).


Half time 0-0

[Dynamogal]

Second half

48:54 Foul by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) on Billy Jones(Preston). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Youl Mawene(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

49:48 Foul by Chris Brown(Preston) on Shaun Barker(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

50:32 Cross by Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool), clearance by Youl Mawene(Preston).

51:15 Cross by Paul McKenna(Preston), save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

51:51 Cross by Billy Jones(Preston), clearance by Shaun Barker(Blackpool).

53:52 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston). Preston substitution: Tamas Priskin replaced by Neil Mellor (tactical).

57:07 Cross by Callum Davidson(Preston), clearance by Michael Flynn(Blackpool). Shot by Billy Jones(Preston) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Michael Flynn(Blackpool).

57:48 Cross by Neil Mellor(Preston), save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

60:21 Cross by Chris Sedgwick(Preston), save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

60:47 Shot by Michael Flynn(Blackpool) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

61:47 Shot by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool) volleyed left-footed from left side
of penalty area (18 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

[Dynamogal]

62:41 Cross by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool), save (caught) by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

63:16 Chris Brown(Preston) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

64:49 Foul by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool) on Sean St. Ledger(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

66:51 Shot by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

67:16 Handball by Gary Taylor-Fletcher(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Simon Whaley(Preston) from left channel, resulting in open play.

67:40 Foul by Sean St. Ledger(Preston) on Paul Rachubka(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

68:44 Foul by Ben Burgess(Blackpool) on Callum Davidson(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

70:04 Foul by Chris Brown(Preston) on Ian Evatt(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

72:01 Foul by Claus Bech Jorgensen(Blackpool) on Paul McKenna(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

74:23 Foul by Ian Evatt(Blackpool) on Simon Whaley(Preston). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul McKenna(Preston) from left channel, passed. Cross by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

[Dynamogal]

74:32 Blackpool substitution: Gary Taylor-Fletcher replaced by Keigan Parker (tactical).

75:17 Foul by Stephen McPhee(Blackpool) on Callum Davidson(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

75:52 Cross by Callum Davidson(Preston), resulting in open play.

75:57 Shot by Chris Sedgwick(Preston) volleyed right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

77:48 Cross by Chris Sedgwick(Preston), shot by Neil Mellor(Preston) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Stephen Crainey(Blackpool). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Darren Carter(Preston) to far post, resulting in open play.

80:04 Cross by Keigan Parker(Blackpool), clearance by Darren Carter(Preston).

80:32 Cross by Callum Davidson(Preston), clearance by Kaspars Gorkss(Blackpool).

81:03 Cross by Keigan Parker(Blackpool), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

81:47 Shot by Wesley Hoolahan(Blackpool) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan(Preston).

[Dynamogal]

83:04 Foul by Paul McKenna(Preston) on Claus Bech Jorgensen(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

83:57 Keigan Parker(Blackpool) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play. Blackpool substitution: Stephen McPhee replaced by Andrew Morrell (tactical).

87:48 Foul by Neil Mellor(Preston) on Kaspars Gorkss(Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.

88:53 Foul by Keigan Parker(Blackpool) on Sean St. Ledger(Preston). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Andy Lonergan(Preston) from own half, resulting in open play.

90:00
(1:09) Cross by Paul McKenna(Preston), resulting in ball out of play. Defending throw-in by Shaun Barker(Blackpool).

90:00
(1:56) Shot by Chris Brown(Preston) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Paul Rachubka(Blackpool).

Final Blackpool 0 PKE 0

Attendance: 9,629