2012–13 Blackpool F.C. season

Steve Thompson (caretaker) (3 November – 7 November & 11 January – 18 February)
Michael Appleton (7 November – 11 January)
Paul Ince (18 February)

Stadium	Bloomfield Road Blackpool, England (Capacity: 17,338)
Football League Championship	15th
FA Cup	Round Three1
League Cup	Round One
Top goalscorer	League: Tom Ince (18) All: Tom Ince (18)
Home colours Away colours
← 2011–12 2013–14 →

The 2012–13 season was Blackpool F.C.'s second-consecutive season in the

Blackpool made right-back Jake Caprice their first signing on 9 July. He arrived on a free transfer from Crystal Palace.^[1]

On 20 July, midfielder Isaiah Osbourne joined from Hibernian for a fee of £250,000.^[2]

Five days later, Portuguese midfielder

The following day, midfielder Keith Southern, the club's longest-serving current player, was sold to Huddersfield Town for £300,000, reuniting with his former manager at Blackpool, Simon Grayson.^[4] A testimonial match in honour of Southern's ten years of service to the Tangerines took place on 5 August.^[5] Everton were the visitors to Bloomfield Road, and Southern played the first fifteen minutes and the last fifteen minutes of the tie. The hosts won 2–0.

On 27 July, Ian Holloway made his fourth signing in

As of 28 July, Ian Holloway had a first-team squad of 34 at his disposal. This included the four former Youth players who were handed professional contracts. They were forward Alex Addai, defender Matt Challoner, and midfielders Jamie Menagh and Curtis Thompson. While the squad were at their pre-season training camp in Portugal, Craig Sutherland suffered a knee injury that will put him out of action for twelve months.^[7]

The first of Blackpool's three pre-season

On 18 June, the Football League fixtures were published. Blackpool had four Lancashire-derby fixtures this campaign, with Blackburn Rovers having been relegated from the Premier League last season. They joined Burnley as Blackpool's rivals in the Red Rose County.

Blackpool officially kicked off their season on 12 August, with a

On 14 August, Blackpool completed a trio of signings. Danish-Algerian striker Adda Djeziri, who had played under Ian Holloway at Leicester City, joined from Viborg. Spaniard Alberto Noguera, a midfielder, signed from Atlético Madrid, while fellow midfielder, Englishman James Caton, also put pen to paper. All three had been on trial with the club.^[10]

On the eve of their first League game of the season, striker Nouha Dicko re-joined the club on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic,^[11] thus making the first-team squad total 38.

The following day, a 2–0 victory at Millwall put Blackpool joint-top of the table with Burnley.^[12]

Blackpool maintained their 100% start to the League campaign with a 2–1 win at home to

They made it three wins out of three with a 6–0 whitewash of Ipswich Town four days later.^[15]

On 31 August, transfer-deadline day, Blackpool signed Nathan Eccleston from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee and Nathan Delfouneso from Aston Villa on a season-long loan.^[16]

Blackpool's 100% start to the League campaign was ended on 1 September, with a single-goal defeat at Ian Holloway's former club Leicester City — a disputed penalty the difference. Blackpool remained top despite the defeat, however.^[17]

On 4 September, former Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot joined the club on a free transfer, becoming the ninth Scot at Ian Holloway's disposal.^[18]

After a two-week break due to internationals, Blackpool travelled to Barnsley on 15 September. They came away with a draw — Tom Ince scoring his fifth goal in as many League games — and were knocked off the top of the table by Blackburn Rovers. Nathan Delfouneso became the 22nd player used by Ian Holloway in the club's five games thus far.^[19]

Three days later, the Seasiders hosted

Two successive defeats ensued – 3–1 at home to Huddersfield Town, managed by former Blackpool boss Simon Grayson, and 3–0 at Cardiff City.

A victory, at

Four days later, Charlton Athletic dealt Blackpool their second-consecutive home defeat.

A fourth loss in five outings occurred two weeks later, after an international break. It was a Lancashire derby against Burnley at Turf Moor. Charlie Austin netted the only goal of the game inside twenty minutes.

Two successive home draws followed — against Nottingham Forest on 23 October and against Brighton & Hove Albion four days later.

Ian Holloway resigned as manager on the morning of 3 November, a match day at

Thompson remained in charge for the following game, in which Blackpool balanced their win–loss record with a 2–0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday.

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton was named as Holloway's successor on 7 November. His first game in charge was at home to Bolton Wanderers three days later. The match finished 2–2.

A week later, Blackpool travelled to Bristol City and came home with a point after a 1–1 draw. A Tom Ince penalty — his tenth goal of the campaign — in the closing seconds of the game kept Appleton's unbeaten start intact. Blackpool climbed to 12th place in the table with the result.

A third-successive draw followed, at home to Watford on 24 November. The Hornets went two goals ahead before the half-hour mark, but the hosts fought back to take a point with second-half strikes from Kevin Phillips and, in the final seconds of the game, Isaiah Osbourne.

Three days later, Blackpool hosted Birmingham City. Tom Ince opened the scoring on 17 minutes, but Curtis Davies put City level three minutes into the second half. Blackpool sat sixteenth with the point.

Into December, and Michael Appleton notched his first win with a 4–1 scoreline at

On 8 December, Blackpool travelled to Ian Holloway's Crystal Palace. Nathan Delfouneso gave Blackpool the lead on 37 minutes. Owen Garvan equalised seven minutes in the second half. Glenn Murray put Palace ahead for the first time just after the hour mark, but substitute Nouha Dicko scored in the final minute to maintain Michael Appleton's unbeaten start to his Blackpool career.

On 15 December, Blackpool faced Blackburn Rovers at Bloomfield Road. Wes Thomas scored his second goal of the season on 22 minutes. Kirk Broadfoot opened his scoring account for Blackpool with an 81st-minute header to give Blackpool the three points and extend their unbeaten run to eight.

Wolves visited the seaside on 21 December, and came out the victors 2–1 in what was the halfway point of the campaign. Captain Alex Baptiste was Blackpool's scorer.

Blackpool crossed the Pennines on Boxing Day to face Huddersfield Town. The spoils were shared in a 1–1 draw, Nathan Delfouneso scoring for the visitors.

For their last fixture of 2012, Blackpool travelled north-east to take on Middlesbrough. They lost 4–2, with Wes Thomas and Chris Basham getting their goals.

New Year's Day saw Hull City switch coasts. They returned to Yorkshire with a point after a goalless draw.

On 11 January, after just two months in charge of the Seasiders, Michael Appleton quit to take over at Blackburn Rovers, leaving Karl Oyston the task of looking for a new manager for the second time this season.

Steve Thompson was again put in temporary charge for the trip to Charlton Athletic the following day. The Tangerines lost 2–1, with Nathan Eccleston netting his first Blackpool goal.

A week later, eventual champions Cardiff City travelled up the coast, looking to complete a double over Blackpool. They succeeded, with a 2–1 scoreline. gary Taylor-Fletcher scored the hosts' goal. Blackpool had now gone six games without a victory.

This was remedied on 26 January with a victory at Wolves. Tom Ince scored both Blackpool goals in the 2–1 scoreline.

Another defeat followed, however — this time at home to Barnsley, who went on to finish bottom of the table. Ince scored Blackpool's goal.

On 9 February, Blackpool beat Millwall 2–1 at Bloomfield Road. Ince, with his fourth goal in three games, and Nathan Delfouneso did the damage for Blackpool.

A long trip to Ipswich Town on 16 February proved fruitless, the Seasiders going down by a single goal.

Paul Ince was named as Michael Appleton's successor on 18 February, and his first match in charge was at Leeds United two days later. They lost 2–0.

Two goalless home draws followed — against Leicester City and Bristol City — leaving Blackpool without a goal to their name in 360 minutes of football.

Another draw, this time 1–1, at Birmingham City occurred on 5 March. Kirk Broadfoot opened his scoring account for Blackpool.

Paul Ince's first victory came on 9 March, at Watford, thanks to goals from Ince junior and Gary MacKenzie.

This was cancelled out, however, with a defeat the following week, at home to Peterborough United, another side relegated at the end of the campaign.

Blackpool made the short trip to Blackburn Rovers on 29 March. They would have expected to face former manager Michael Appleton, but he was relieved of his duties the previous week after 67 days in charge. The match finished 1–1. Gary MacKenzie found the net for the second-successive game.

They did face a former manager in the next game, when Ian Holloway brought his Crystal Palace side to Bloomfield Road. Despite having Barry Ferguson sent off just before half time, Matt Phillips' goal was enough to give the hosts a valuable three points.

A visit to Nottingham Forest on 6 April resulted in a point from a 1–1 draw. Ludovic Sylvestre scored for the Seasiders.

Local rivals Burnley visited the seaside on 13 April. Blackpool exacted revenge for the defeat at Turf Moor in the reverse fixture with a single-goal victory. Ludovic Sylvestre scored the goal.

A third clean sheet in four games followed with a goalless draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Blackpool travelled to the south coast to face Brighton on 20 April, and they suffered their heaviest defeat in recent memory after Gus Poyet's men ran out 6–1 winners. The hosts scored all seven goals: Hammond put through his own goal.

Paul Ince got his fourth win the following week with a 2–1 scoreline against Derby County. Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Ludovic Sylvestre were on the mark for the hosts.

Blackpool's season was brought to a close with a 2–2 draw at Bolton Wanderers on 4 May. They led 2–0 before Bolton struck twice just before half time to level matters. Matt Phillips scored Blackpool's first, before Ludovic Sylvestre, with his fourth goal in six games, doubled the lead. The draw resulted in Wanderers' dropping out of the play-off zone in favour of Leicester City.

Hyde

v Blackpool

4 August 2012 Friendly	Hyde	1–1	Blackpool	Hyde, England
15:00 BST	Spencer 58'	Report	M. Phillips 60'	Stadium: Ewen Fields

Blackpool v Everton

5 August 2012 Keith Southern Testimonial	Blackpool	2–0	Everton	Blackpool, England
15:00 BST	Baptiste 63' Caton 90'			Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,208

Swansea City v Blackpool

7 August 2012 Friendly	Swansea City	4–2	Blackpool	Swansea, Wales
19:00 BST	Michu 16'		Sylvestre 24' Ince 87' (pen.)	Stadium: Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,631

Millwall v Blackpool

18 August 2012 1	Millwall	0–2	Blackpool	London, England
15:00 BST		Report	Ince 32', 60'	Stadium: The Den Attendance: 11,010 Referee: Langford

Blackpool v

Leeds United

21 August 2012 2	Blackpool	2–1	Leeds United	Blackpool, England
20:00	Dicko 75' M. Phillips 80'	Report	Lees 16'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 14,315 Referee: Whitestone

Blackpool v Ipswich Town

25 August 2012 3	Blackpool	6–0	Ipswich Town	Blackpool, England
15:00	Cresswell 13' (o.g.) Taylor-Fletcher 45' Ince 49', 58' Cathcart 62' Dicko 90'	Report		Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 14,266 Referee: Miller

Leicester City v Blackpool

1 September 2012 4	Leicester City	1–0	Blackpool	Leicester, England
17:20	Marshall 54' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: King Power Stadium Attendance: 18,655 Referee: Michael Jones

Barnsley v Blackpool

15 September 2012 5	Barnsley	1–1	Blackpool	Barnsley, England
15:00	Davies 14'	Report	Ince 30'	Stadium: Oakwell Stadium Attendance: 14,134 Referee: Woolmer

Blackpool v Middlesbrough

18 September 2012 6	Blackpool	4–1	Middlesbrough	Blackpool, England
20:00	Delfouneso 10', 36' Ince 56' Grandin 86' (pen.)	Report	Bikey 45'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 12,746 Referee: Madley

Blackpool v Huddersfield Town

24 September 2012 7	Blackpool	1–3	Huddersfield Town	Blackpool, England
19:45	Taylor-Fletcher 27'	Report	Vaughan 45' Norwood 48'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 13,886 Referee: Anthony Bates

Hull City v Blackpool

2 October 2012 9	Hull City	2–3	Blackpool	Hull, England
19:45		Report	M. Phillips 11' K. Phillips 71' Dicko 83'	Stadium: KC Stadium Attendance: 14,919 Referee: Mathieson

Burnley v Blackpool

20 October 2012 11	Burnley	1–0	Blackpool	Burnley, England
17:20	Austin 19'	Report		Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 12,925 Referee: Oliver

Blackpool v Nottingham Forest

23 October 2012 12	Blackpool	2–2	Nottingham Forest	Blackpool, England
20:00	Grandin 70' Taylor-Fletcher 75'	Report	Sharp 25' Blackstock 90'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road

Blackpool v Brighton

27 October 2012 13	Blackpool	1–1	Brighton	Blackpool, England
15:00	Grandin 72'	Report	Barnes 56'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road

Blackpool v Morecambe

12 August 2012 Round One	Blackpool	1–2	Morecambe	Blackpool, England
15:00 BST	Baptiste 77'	Report	Alessandra 6' Fleming 56'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 6,083 Referee: Tierney

Fulham v Blackpool

5 January 2013 Round Three	Fulham	1–1	Blackpool	Fulham, England
15:00 BST		Report	Sylvestre 60'	Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 14,473 Referee: Mason

Blackpool v Fulham

15 January 2013 Round Three replay	Blackpool	1–2	Fulham	Blackpool, England
20:00 BST	Delfouneso 84'	Report		Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8,706 Referee: Marriner

As of 4 May 2013

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		League		FA Cup		League Cup
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	SCO	Matt Gilks	47	0	44+0	0	2+0	0	1+0	0
2	DF	ENG	Paul Bignot	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
3	DF	SCO	Stephen Crainey	45	0	42+0	0	1+1	0	1+0	0
4	MF	SCO	Scott Robertson	1	0	1+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
4	DF	ENG	Reece Wabara (loan)	1	0	0+1	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
5	DF	WAL	Neal Eardley	26	0	20+3	0	2+0	0	1+0	0
6	DF	ENG	Ian Evatt	12	0	11+0	0	0+0	0	1+0	0
7	MF	SCO	Matt Phillips	35	4	28+6	4	0+0	0	1+0	0
8	MF	POR	Tiago Gomes	26	0	20+4	0	0+1	0	0+1	0
9	FW	ENG	Kevin Phillips	18	2	9+8	2	1+0	0	0+0	0
10	MF	FRA	Elliot Grandin	13	3	6+6	3	0+0	0	0+1	0
11	MF	ENG	Tom Ince	46	18	41+2	18	2+0	0	1+0	0
12	MF	ENG	Gary Taylor-Fletcher	36	5	27+7	5	1+0	0	1+0	0
14	MF	GLP	Ludovic Sylvestre	31	5	21+7	4	1+1	1	1+0	0
15	DF	ENG	Alex Baptiste	45	2	42+0	1	2+0	0	1+0	1
16	MF	SCO	Barry Ferguson	20	0	19+0	0	0+0	0	1+0	0
17	MF	ENG	Chris Basham	27	1	23+2	1	2+0	0	0+0	0
18	MF	ENG	Isaiah Osbourne	29	1	22+5	1	2+0	0	0+0	0
19	MF	ESP	Alberto Noguera	1	0	0+1	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
20	DF	NIR	Craig Cathcart	26	1	22+3	1	0+1	0	0+0	0
21	GK	ENG	Mark Halstead	2	0	1+1	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
22	DF	ENG	Ashley Eastham	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
23	MF	ARG	Gerardo Bruna	1	0	0+1	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
24	FW	SCO	Craig Sutherland	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
25	GK	SCO	Chris Kettings	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
26	MF	ENG	Liam Tomsett	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
27	FW	ENG	Tom Barkhuizen	1	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+1	0
28	MF	ENG	Adam Dodd	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
29	MF	ENG	Jamie Menagh	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
30	FW	ENG	Louis Almond	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
31	MF	ESP	Ángel Martínez	22	0	17+4	0	0+0	0	1+0	0
32	MF	ENG	Curtis Thompson	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
33	DF	SCO	Bob Harris	5	0	3+1	0	1+0	0	0+0	0
34	FW	ENG	Alex Addai	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
35	DF	ENG	Jake Caprice	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
36	DF	ENG	Matt Challoner	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
37	MF	ENG	James Caton	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
38	FW	FRA	Nouha Dicko (loan)	21	5	2+19	5	0+0	0	0+0	0
38	FW	ENG	Matt Derbyshire (loan)	12	0	4+8	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
39	FW	ENG	Wes Thomas (loan)	8	3	6+2	3	0+0	0	0+0	0
39	FW	SCO	Gary MacKenzie (loan)	12	2	12+0	2	0+0	0	0+0	0
40	FW	ENG	Nathan Delfouneso (loan)	41	7	22+17	6	2+0	1	0+0	0
41	FW	ENG	Nathan Eccleston	8	1	0+6	1	1+1	0	0+0	0
42	DF	SCO	Kirk Broadfoot	33	1	31+0	1	2+0	0	0+0	0
43	FW	HUN	Márkó Futács (loan)	3	0	0+3	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
—	FW	CIV	Anderson Banvo	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
—	FW	ALG	Adda Djeziri	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0

Players used: 32
Goals scored: 65 (62 League; 2 FA Cup; 1 League Cup) (includes two own-goals)

Note: Players in italics are no longer with Blackpool

• ^1 Entered competition in Third Round