Club Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Happy Birthday Blackpool FC
Blackpool Football Club is celebrating its 125th birthday today, with the official opening of the new BFC Hotel and a development game against Chorley marking the event.
Founded in 1887 on the back of a breakaway from local outfit St John's FC, the club had to wait until 1896 for a debut in The Football League but has since enjoyed eight promotions - four via the play-offs - and an FA Cup success in 1953, as well as picking up a number of Lancashire Senior Cup titles and two Football League trophies.
Blackpool's promotion to the Barclays Premier League in 2010 meant that The Seasiders became the 44th club to play in the top-flight competition since its inception in 1992.
This afternoon the club's brand new, four star hotel will officially be opened by manager Ian Holloway, while a Development Squad will face Chorley (Pool's first ever opponents in 1887) at Bloomfield Road this evening, kick-off 7pm.
Admission to the public for the fixture will be £4 for Adults and £2 for Concessions.