| 2023–24 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Simon Sadler | |
| Head coach | Neil Critchley[1] | |
| Stadium | Bloomfield Road | |
| League One | 8th | |
| FA Cup | Third round | |
| EFL Cup | Second round | |
| EFL Trophy | Semi final | |
| Top goalscorer | League:Jordan Rhodes (15) All: Jordan Rhodes (15) | |
The2023–24 season was the 115th season in the history ofBlackpool F.C., and their first season back inLeague One, the third tier of English professional football, since the2020–21 season, following their relegation from theEFL Championship at the end of the2022–23 season. They finished in eighth position in the league table, with 73 points from their 46 games. The club also participated in three cup competitions: they were knocked out of theFA Cup in the third round, knocked out of theEFL Cup in the second round and knocked out of theEFL Trophy in the semi-finals.
Jordan Rhodes, on loan fromHuddersfield Town, was the club's top scorer, with fifteen goals in all competitions.
It wasNeil Critchley's first season as manager, in his second spell at the club. It was also the club's 100th season in tangerine.[2]
Blackpool made two signings which became official on 1 July: midfielderAlbie Morgan and defenderMatthew Pennington both arrived on free transfers, upon the expiration of their contracts with their previous clubs.
On 7 July, Blackpool travelled down the coast to Southport for their opening friendly. Goals fromKenny Dougall,Brad Holmes andMatty Virtue gave the visitors victory.
Blackpool hosted newly promotedChampionship sidePlymouth Argyle on 15 July. Plymouth won 2–1. Blackpool's goal came fromShayne Lavery's penalty.
Four days later,the Seasiders faced aWolverhampton Wanderers XI at Compton Park Training Ground in a behind-closed-doors fixture. Blackpool won 4–2, with goals from Shayne Lavery (two) and Albie Morgan, as well as an own-goal.
Barrow was the destination on 22 July. Blackpool won 5–0, with goals from Matty Virtue, Shayne Lavery,Jake Beesley andSonny Carey (two).
On 2 June, Blackpool confirmed their first three pre-season friendlies, againstSouthport,Barrow andMorecambe.[3] A fourth fixture was later added, versusHibernian.[4]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 7 July 2023Friendly | Southport | 0–3 | Blackpool | Blowick |
| 19:45BST | Report | Dougall Holmes Virtue | Stadium:Haig Avenue |
| 15 July 2023Friendly | Blackpool | 1–2 | Plymouth Argyle | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Lavery (pen.) | Report | Miller Hardie | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors) |
| 19 July 2023Friendly | Wolverhampton Wanderers XI | 2–4 | Blackpool | Wolverhampton |
| 12:00BST | Report | 67' (o.g.) Lavery 90',115'Morgan | Stadium:Compton Park Training Ground Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors) | |
| Note: 2 matches both anhour long | ||||
| 22 July 2023Friendly | Barrow | 0–5 | Blackpool | Barrow-in-Furness |
| 15:00BST | Report | Virtue 15' Lavery 17'Beesley 54'Carey 77',90+4' | Stadium:Holker Street |
| 25 July 2023Friendly | Blackpool | 1–2 | Tranmere Rovers | Blackpool |
| 14:00BST | Dale 26' | Report | Jennings (pen.) Walker | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) |
| 25 July 2023Friendly | Morecambe | 1–1 | Blackpool | Morecambe |
| 19:30BST | Bloxham 44' | Report | Lavery 56' | Stadium:Mazuma Stadium |
| 29 July 2023Friendly | Blackpool | 3–0 | Hibernian | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Lavery 60' Dougall 84'Dale 87' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road |
Blackpool opened their league campaign on 5 August with a 2–0 victory overBurton Albion atBloomfield Road, in what wasNeil Critchley's first competitive fixture back in charge of the team. A double from Shayne Lavery midway through the first half proved to be the difference.[5]
Three days later, they booked their place in the second round of theEFL Cup after a 2–0 win atDerby County.Jake Beesley scored both Blackpool goals.[6] They will face Wolverhampton Wanderers atMolineux Stadium in the week commencing 28 August.[7]
The club brought in midfielderJensen Weir fromBrighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan on 11 August.[8]
A long trip toExeter City on 12 August resulted in a point after a goalless draw. Blackpool dropped four places to eighth with the point.[9]
Port Vale were the visitors to Bloomfield Road on 15 August in a match that finished goalless. Blackpool remained eighth.[10]
The following day, midfielderTashan Oakley-Boothe joined on a free transfer.
A third-successive scoreless match occurred on 19 August, when Blackpool hosted Leyton Orient.The Tangerines, still undefeated, dropped three places to eleventh.[11]
On 25 August, strikerJordan Rhodes joined the club, on loan fromHuddersfield Town, for the remainder of the season.[12]
The club's first defeat occurred on 26 August, atLincoln City, with a 3–0 scoreline for the hosts.Oliver Norburn was sent off for the visitors in the second half. Blackpool dropped four places to fifteenth.
Blackpool were knocked out of the EFL Cup at the second-round stage byWolverhampton Wanderers on 29 August, after a 5–0 scoreline atMolineux.[13] It was their fifth-consecutive game without a goal, a total of 450 minutes.
On 30 August, wingerKaramoko Dembélé joined on a season-long loan fromBrest.Tom Trybull was released by mutual consent the following day.
On 2 September, Blackpool beat Wigan Athletic 2–1, with goals from Jordan Rhodes (on his home debut) andKenny Dougall (a 94th-minute winner). Blackpool climbed three places to twelfth with the victory.
Three days later, Blackpool travelled up the coast to faceBarrow in theEFL Trophy. Goals fromSonny Carey and new arrivalKylian Kouassi gave Blackpool the three points.
After an eleven-dayinternational break, Blackpool visited Wycombe Wanderers. They were beaten 2–0, and dropped two places to fourteenth in the table.
On 23 September, Blackpool beatReading 4–1 at Bloomfield Road. Jordan Rhodes scored a hat-trick (the first Blackpool player to do so since Nathan Delfouneso in 2018); the other goal came from Kylian Kouassi on his starting debut. Blackpool remained fourteenth.
A second-successive victory followed on 30 September with a 1–0 scoreline atBarnsley. Jordan Rhodes scored from the penalty spot, his fifth goal in three games. Blackpool climbed three places to eleventh.
Derby County beat Blackpool 3–1 at Bloomfield Road on 3 October, inflictingthe Seasiders' first home defeat of the campaign. The hosts dropped two places to thirteenth.
On 7 October, Blackpool travelled to London to faceCharlton Athletic. The visitors let slip a two-goal lead and had to settle for a draw. Jordan Rhodes (with his sixth goal of the campaign) and Kylian Kouassi, with his first for the club, were Blackpool's goal scorers. They climbed three places to tenth with the point.
Blackpool made it two wins out of two in the EFL Trophy on 10 October, with a 5–2 scoreline againstLiverpool F.C. Academy. Kylian Kouassi scored a hat-trick; the other two goals came from Albie Morgan andAndy Lyons, on his return to the team following a family bereavement.[14]
Blackpool beatStevenage Borough 3–0 at Bloomfield Road on 14 October, the goals coming from Jordan Rhodes,Owen Dale andCJ Hamilton. Blackpool climbed three places to seventh, although several teams around them had their matches postponed due to international call-ups.
A trip toOxford United a week later resulted in a 1–1 draw, with Blackpool equalising in stoppage time through Jordan Rhodes. They remained seventh.
Blackpool climbed into the play-off places with a 3–2 victory at home toCheltenham Town on 24 August. The hosts' goals came from Shayne Lavery, Jordan Rhodes (his ninth goal in ten appearances) and Karamoko Dembélé (his first goal for the club).
October ended with a 4–2 defeat toPeterborough United at Bloomfield Road.Oliver Casey was dismissed early in the second half. Blackpool went 3–0 down from the subsequent free-kick but fought back to 3–2, with goals from Kenny Dougall and Sonny Carey, but conceded again in stoppage time. Blackpool dropped one place to seventh.
The fourth month of the campaign began with a 3–3 draw at nearbyFleetwood Town. The home side went 2–0 up in the first half, but Blackpool came back to lead 3–2 (through two goals from Sonny Carey and one from Shayne Lavery) in the second half. Fleetwood equalised into ten minutes of stoppage time. Blackpool dropped one place to eighth with the point.
Blackpool reached the second round of theFA Cup with a 2–0 victory atBromley on 4 November. The goals came from Shayne Lavery and Kylian Kouassi.
On 11 November, Blackpool lost 1–0 atBolton Wanderers, managed by formerSeasiders captainIan Evatt. Blackpool remained eighth but had now played a game more than the teams around them.
Three days later, Blackpool beatMorecambe 2–1 in the EFL Trophy, maintaining their place atop Northern Group A and sealing their progression to the second round.
On 18 November, Blackpool beatShrewsbury Town 4–0 at Bloomfield Road, with goals from Jordan Rhodes, Jake Beesley (2) and Kyle Joseph (his first for the club).
Blackpool travelled to top-of-the-tablePortsmouth on 25 November, and returned with all three points in a 4–0 victory, bringing to an end Posh's 27-game unbeaten run. The hosts were reduced to ten men just after the hour mark, by which point Blackpool were 2–0 up, after goals from Owen Dale and Jake Beesley. CJ Hamilton scored with fifteen minutes remaining, and Albie Morgan made it 4–0 on 87 minutes. Blackpool climbed one place to seventh with the victory, although the team above and below them each have a game in hand.[15]
A defeat, 2–1 at home toNorthampton Town, followed three days later. Jordan Rhodes scored the home side's goal, his eleventh for the club, who dropped one place to eighth.
On 5 December, Blackpool beatBarnsley 2–1 in the second round of the EFL Trophy. Owen Dale and Jake Beesley got the hosts' goals.
Four days later, Blackpool made it three wins out of four in the league as they beatCarlisle United 3–0 at Bloomfield Road. Andy Lyons and a double from Jordan Rhodes (bringing his tally for the season to 13) were the scorers. Blackpool remained eighth.
Blackpool fell to defeat at Cambridge United on 16 December, followed by a 3–1 victory at home to Bristol Rovers on 23 December.
A single-goal defeat occurred atBurton Albion on Boxing Day.
A trip toVale Park on 29 December resulted in a 3–0 defeat for Neil Critchley's side. Blackpool had remained in eighth position in the League One table throughout December, although the teams either side of them each had two games in hand.
Blackpool got 2024 underway with a 2–0 New Year's Day victory overLincoln City at Bloomfield Road. Jordan Rhodes and CJ Hamilton scored the goals. On the transfer front, Jensen Weir was recalled by Brighton.
On 7 January, Blackpool travelled toPremier League strugglersNottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. The visitors went 2–0 up, through goals byJordan Gabriel and Albie Morgan, but Forest fought back, with the tie finishing 2–2. A replay will be held at Bloomfield Road in the coming weeks.[16] The following day, left-sided playerHayden Coulson, 25, joined Blackpool on loan fromMiddlesbrough.[17]
Blackpool reached the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy on 10 January, following a 2–1 victory over Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road. Matty Virtue and Marvin Ekpiteta got the hosts' goals.[18]
On 12 January, left-backDominic Thompson was loaned out to Forest Green Rovers until the end of the season,[19] while central defenderDoug Tharme made a permanent move toGrimsby Town.[20]
For the third time this season, Blackpool achieved back-to-back wins in the league, with a 2–0 scoreline overExeter City at Bloomfield Road. Albie Morgan scored both of the Tangerines' goals.
Blackpool were knocked out of the FA Cup on 17 January in the third-round replay against Nottingham Forest at Bloomfield Road. Forest went 2–0 up, but Blackpool fought back to level proceedings, and took the tie to extra time, during which the visitors scored a decisive third goal.
A third-consecutive league victory occurred on 20 January, a 2–1 scoreline at Bristol Rovers. CJ Hamilton and Karamoko Dembele got the goals for visitors, who remained in eighth position.
On 24 January, midfielder Kenny Dougall left the club forBuriram United for an undisclosed fee.[21]
A 1–1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic on 27 January kept Blackpool in eighth place.[22]
Three days later, Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers, on penalties after a goalless draw, to reach the semi-final of the EFL Trophy.[23]
On 31 January, midfielderRyan Finnigan joined on a permanent transfer fromSouthampton, for an undisclosed fee. Tashan Oakley-Boothe, meanwhile, had his contract terminated by mutual consent.
1 February was transfer-deadline day, and Blackpool brought in two players (one permanent and one loan), and offloaded one. Centre-back Dan Sassi joined from Lancashire neighboursBurnley for an undisclosed fee, while midfielderGeorge Byers signed on loan for fromSheffield Wednesday for the remainder of the season. Winger Owen Dale moved toOxford United for an undisclosed fee.
On 3 February, Blackpool lost 1–0 at Stevenage, their seventh loss in fourteen away fixtures. Blackpool remained eighth, five places behind Oxford United.
Blackpool drew 1–1 with Oxford United on 10 February.
Three days later, a defeat at Cheltenham Town, Blackpool's eighth away loss in the league, dropped them to ninth in the table.[24]
A trip to Peterborough United on 17 February resulted in a 2–1 victory. Having gone a goal down, Blackpool replied with goals by Shayne Lavery (penalty) and a stoppage-time winner by Karamoko Dembélé. Blackpool returned to eighth position.
Blackpool were knocked out of the EFL Trophy, at the semi-final stage, on 20 February. Peterborough United were 3–0 victors in the tie at Bloomfield Road.
On 24 February, Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers 4–1 at Bloomfield Road, with goals from Jake Beesley (2), Marvin Ekpiteta and Jordan Gabriel. They climbed one spot to eighth.
A trip to Leyton Orient three days later resulted in a single-goal defeat.
March began with a 2–0 victory at Shrewsbury Town. Karamoko Dembélé and a Hayden Coulson (his first for the club) got the goals. Blackpool remained eighth, but closed the gap to Oxford United to one point.
A goalless draw at home to top-of-the-table Portsmouth followed on 9 March. The hosts had Jordan Rhodes sent off two minutes before half time,[25] the first dismissal of his career, but it was overturned two days later upon review.[26]
On 12 March, Blackpool recorded a second-successive away victory, this time at Northampton Town.Matthew Pennington got the goal. The three points moved Blackpool up one place to seventh in the table, one point outside the play-off places.
A defeat ensued on 16 March, Blackpool's first loss in four matches. They dropped two places to ninth, three points outside the play-off places.
After an international break, Blackpool lost for a second-successive match, at Derby County by a single goal. They remained ninth, but were now four points outside the play-off berths.
A goalless draw at home to Wycombe Wanderers began the penultimate month of the campaign. This was followed by three-consecutive single-goal victories: at home to Cambridge United and Fleetwood Town, and away to Carlisle United. With those ten points, Blackpool climbed to seventh place, three points behind Oxford United in the final play-off spot, with two games remaining (three for Oxford United).[27]
A fourth-consecutive victory followed, at home to Barnsley, on 20 April. With one game remaining, Blackpool were one point behind Lincoln City in the final play-off spot. Barnsley were also within reach.[28]
Blackpool finished the season with a 3–2 defeat at Reading on 27 April. They finished the campaign in eighth place, three points outside the play-off positions.[29]
On 7 May, the club announced its retained list for the2024–25 season.[30] Contract extensions were exercised on six players:
Ten players were released:
The club was in discussions with James Husband, while Tyler Hill was offered a professional contract. Goalkeeper Matteo Spinelli was one of four scholars who left the club.[31]
Jordan Rhodes was the first incoming transfer of Blackpool's close season. After this season's loan, he will make the move permanent on 1 July, after agreeing on 3 June to sign a twelve-month contract with an option for a further year. He arrived on a free transfer.[32]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Oxford United(O, P) | 46 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 79 | 56 | +23 | 77 | Qualified for League One play-offs |
| 6 | Barnsley | 46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 82 | 64 | +18 | 76 | |
| 7 | Lincoln City | 46 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 65 | 40 | +25 | 74 | |
| 8 | Blackpool | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 65 | 48 | +17 | 73 | |
| 9 | Stevenage | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 57 | 46 | +11 | 71 | |
| 10 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 60 | 55 | +5 | 65 | |
| 11 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 53 | 55 | −2 | 65 |
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 65 | 48 | +17 | 73 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 43 | 19 | +24 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 22 | 29 | −7 |
Last updated: 9 April 2024.
Source:Soccerway
On 22 June, the EFL League One fixtures were released.[34]
Win Draw Loss
| 5 August 20231 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Burton Albion | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Lavery 19',25' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,943 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 12 August 20232 | Exeter City | 0–0 | Blackpool | Exeter |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:St James Park Attendance: 7,340 (726 away) Referee: Hugh Gilroy |
| 15 August 20233 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Port Vale | Blackpool |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 11,416 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 19 August 20234 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Leyton Orient | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,146 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| 26 August 20235 | Lincoln City | 3–0 | Blackpool | Lincoln |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:LNER Stadium Attendance: 8,012 (760 away) Referee: Martin Coy |
| 2 September 20236 | Blackpool | 2–1 | Wigan Athletic | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 11,537 Referee: Anthony Backhouse |
| 16 September 20238 | Wycombe Wanderers | 2–0 | Blackpool | High Wycombe |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Adams Park Attendance: 4,691 (630 away) Referee: Neil Hair |
| 23 September 20239 | Blackpool | 4–1 | Reading | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,104 Referee: Tom Reeves |
| 30 September 202310 | Barnsley | 0–1 | Blackpool | Barnsley |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:Oakwell Attendance: 13,005 (1,430 away) Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 3 October 202311 | Blackpool | 1–3 | Derby County | Blackpool |
| 19:45BST | Dougall 73' | Smith 54' Collins 71'Waghorn 89' | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 11,137 Referee: Will Finnie |
| 7 October 202312 | Charlton Athletic | 2–2 | Blackpool | Charlton |
| 15:00BST | May 81' Blackett-Taylor 83' | Report | Rhodes 34' Dembélé 70' | Stadium:The Valley Attendance: 13,120 (933 away) Referee: Andy Davies |
| 14 October 202313 | Blackpool | 3–0 | Stevenage | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Rhodes 38' Dale 60'Hamilton 78' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,516 Referee: Paul Howard |
| 21 October 202314 | Oxford United | 1–1 | Blackpool | Littlemore |
| 15:00GMT |
| Report |
| Stadium:The Kassam Stadium Attendance: 9,417 (781 away) Referee: Thomas Kirk |
| 24 October 202315 | Blackpool | 3–2 | Cheltenham Town | Blackpool |
| 19:45GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,288 Referee: Adam Herczeg |
| 28 October 202316 | Blackpool | 2–4 | Peterborough United | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Dougall 60' Carey 64' | Report | Poku 16' Burrows 47'Jones 58'Mason-Clark 90+2' | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,684 Referee: Ben Atkinson |
| 1 November 20237[35] | Fleetwood Town | 3–3 | Blackpool | Fleetwood |
| 19:45GMT | Report | Stadium:Highbury Stadium Referee:Darren Drysdale | ||
| Note: Fixture was previously postponed due to international call-ups.[36] | ||||
| 11 November 202317 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Blackpool | Horwich |
| 15:00GMT | Thomason 74' | Report | Stadium:Toughsheet Community Stadium Attendance: 24,238 (4,171 away) Referee: Ben Toner |
| 18 November 202318 | Blackpool | 4–0 | Shrewsbury Town | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Rhodes 19 pen.' Beesley 33',82'Joseph 74' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,502 Referee: Ben Speedie |
| 25 November 202319 | Portsmouth | 0–4 | Blackpool | Portsmouth |
| 15:00GMT | Morrell 63' | Report | Dale 9' Beesley 56'Hamilton 74'Morgan 87' | Stadium:Fratton Park Attendance: 18,697 (618 away) Referee: Ollie Yates |
| 28 November 202320 | Blackpool | 1–2 | Northampton Town | Blackpool |
| 19:45GMT | Rhodes 65' | Bowie 31' Hoskins 75' | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,058 Referee: Geoff Eltringham |
| 9 December 202321 | Blackpool | 3–0 | Carlisle United | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Lyons 22' Rhodes 67',90+5' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 11,848 Referee: Lewis Smith |
| 16 December 202322 | Cambridge United | 2–1 | Blackpool | Cambridge |
| 15:00GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Abbey Stadium Attendance: 6,042 (674 away) Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 23 December 202323 | Blackpool | 3–1 | Bristol Rovers | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,076 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 26 December 202324 | Burton Albion | 1–0 | Blackpool | Burton-upon-Trent |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Kamwa 10' | Stadium:Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 4,196 (1,000 away) Referee: Scott Simpson |
| 29 December 202325 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Blackpool | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45GMT | Garrity 39' Wilson 57'Smith 80' | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 6,203 (1,160 away) Referee: Steve Martin |
| 1 January 202426 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Lincoln City | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Casey 29' Hamilton 90+2' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,353 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| 13 January 202427 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Exeter City | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Morgan 39',49' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,374 Referee: Thomas Bramall |
| 20 January 202428 | Bristol Rovers | 1–2 | Blackpool | Bristol |
| 15:00GMT | Martin 24' | Report | Hamilton 5' Dembélé 19' | Stadium:Memorial Stadium Attendance: 8,013 (561 away) Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 27 January 202429 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Charlton Athletic | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Dembélé 53' | Report | Ekpiteta 69' (o.g.) | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,059 Referee: Darren Drysdale |
| 3 February 202430 | Stevenage | 1–0 | Blackpool | Stevenage |
| 15:00GMT | Forster-Caskey 85' | Report | Stadium:Lamex Stadium Attendance: 5,014 (780 away) Referee: Simon Mather |
| 10 February 202431 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Oxford United | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT |
| Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,485 Referee: Paul Howard |
| 13 February 202432 | Cheltenham Town | 2–0 | Blackpool | Cheltenham |
| 19:45GMT |
| Report | Stadium:The Completely-Suzuki Stadium Attendance: 3,865 (434 away) Referee: Matthew Corlett |
| 17 February 202433 | Peterborough United | 1–2 | Blackpool | Peterborough |
| 15:00GMT |
| Report | Stadium:Weston Homes Stadium Attendance: 8,293 (451 away) Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 24 February 202434 | Blackpool | 4–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT |
| Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 12,276 Referee: Josh Smith |
| 27 February 202435 | Leyton Orient | 1–0 | Blackpool | Leyton |
| 19:45GMT |
| Report | Stadium:Gaughan Group Stadium Attendance: 7,198 (531 away) Referee: Ben Speedie |
| 2 March 202436 | Shrewsbury Town | 0–2 | Blackpool | Shrewsbury |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:The Croud Meadow Attendance: 6,602 (835 away) Referee: Declan Bourne |
| 9 March 202437 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Portsmouth | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 11,811 Referee: Edward Duckworth |
| 12 March 202438 | Northampton Town | 0–1 | Blackpool | Northampton |
| 19:45GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 5,472 (313 away) Referee: James Bell |
| 16 March 202439 | Wigan Athletic | 1–0 | Blackpool | Wigan |
| 15:00GMT |
| Report | Stadium:DW Stadium Attendance: 13,964 (2,931 away) Referee: James Linington |
| 29 March 202441 | Derby County | 1–0 | Blackpool | Derby |
| 15:00GMT |
| Report | Stadium:Pride Park Attendance: 30,089 (1,207 away) Referee: Thomas Kirk |
| 1 April 202442 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Wycombe Wanderers | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,171 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 6 April 202443 | Blackpool | 1–0 | Cambridge United | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Carey 30' | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,187 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 9 April 202440 | Blackpool | 1–0 | Fleetwood Town | Blackpool |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,845 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| 13 April 202444 | Carlisle United | 0–1 | Blackpool | Carlisle |
| 15:00BST | Report |
| Stadium:Brunton Park Attendance: 7,600 (1,548 away) Referee: Tom Reeves |
| 20 April 202445 | Blackpool | 3–2 | Barnsley | Blackpool |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 12,526 Referee: Sunny Gill |
| 27 April 202446 | Reading | 3–2 | Blackpool | Reading |
| 13:00BST | Report | Stadium:Madejski Stadium Attendance: 18,480 (1,752 away) Referee: Ben Speedie |
The Tangerines were drawn away toBromley in the first round[37] and at home toForest Green Rovers in the second round.[38][39]
Win Draw Loss
| 4 November 2023First round | Bromley | 0–2 | Blackpool | Bromley |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Lavery 5' Dembélé 28' | Stadium:Reloc8 Em Community Stadium Attendance: 4.455 Referee: David Rock |
| 19 December 2023Second round | Blackpool | 3–0 | Forest Green Rovers | Blackpool |
| 19:45GMT |
| Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 3,188 Referee: Scott Jackson |
| 7 January 2024Third round | Nottingham Forest | 2–2 | Blackpool | Nottingham |
| 14:00GMT | Domínguez 39' Gibbs-White 56' | Report | Lawrence-Gabriel 25' Morgan 27' | Stadium:City Ground Attendance: 27,909 Referee: Sunny Sukhvir Gill |
| 17 January 2024Third round replay | Blackpool | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Nottingham Forest | Blackpool |
| 19:45GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8,098 Referee: Darren Bond |
Blackpool were drawn away toDerby County in the first round[40] and toWolverhampton Wanderers in the second round.[41]
Win Draw Loss
| 8 August 2023First round | Derby County | 0–2 | Blackpool | Derby |
| 19:45BST | Report | Beesley 7',32' | Stadium:Pride Park Stadium Attendance: 7,033 Referee: Jeremy Simpson |
| 29 August 2023Second round | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 5–0 | Blackpool | Wolverhampton |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Molineux Attendance: 20,605 Referee:Jarred Gillett |
In the group stage, Blackpool were drawn into Northern Group A alongsideBarrow,Morecambe andLiverpool U21.[42] After topping their group, they were drawn at home toBarnsley in the second round[43] andBurton Albion in the third round.[44] They were then drawn at home toBolton Wanderers in the Quarter-Finals[45] and toPeterborough United in the Semi-Finals.[46][47]
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Blackpool | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 | Advance toRound 2 |
| 2 | ACA | Liverpool U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 3 | |
| 3 | L2 | Morecambe | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 3 | |
| 4 | L2 | Barrow | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 3 |
Win Draw Loss
| 5 September 2023Group stage | Barrow | 0–2 | Blackpool | Barrow-in-Furness |
| 19:00BST | Report | Stadium:SO Legal Stadium Attendance: 1,436 Referee: Matthew Corlett |
| 10 October 2023Group stage | Blackpool | 5–2 | Liverpool U21 | Blackpool |
| 19:00BST | Morgan 45+3' Kouassi 46',75',89'Lyons 90+6' | Report | Glatzel 30' Musiałowski 66' | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 2,683 Referee: Scott Simpson |
| 14 November 2023Group stage | Blackpool | 2–1 | Morecambe | Blackpool |
| 19:00GMT |
| Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 1,829 Referee: Martin Woods |
| 5 December 2023Second round | Blackpool | 2–1 | Barnsley | Blackpool |
| 19:00GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 1,296 Referee: Daniel Middleton |
| 10 January 2024Third round | Blackpool | 2–1 | Burton Albion | Blackpool |
| 19:00GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 1,534 Referee: Peter Wright |
| 30 January 2024Quarter-Final | Blackpool | 0–0 (5–4p) | Bolton Wanderers | Blackpool |
| 19:00GMT | Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 5,649 Referee: Seb Stockbridge | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 20 February 2024Semi Finals | Blackpool | 0–3 | Peterborough United | Blackpool |
| 20:00GMT | Report |
| Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 6,044 Referee: Lewis Smith |
| Date | Pos | Player | From | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 June 2023 | GK | Richard O'Donnell | Rochdale | Undisclosed | [48] |
| 29 June 2023 | CM | Oliver Norburn | Peterborough United | Undisclosed | [49] |
| 1 July 2023 | CM | Albie Morgan | Free agency | — | [50] |
| 1 July 2023 | CB | Matthew Pennington | Free agency | — | [51] |
| 12 July 2023 | CF | Kyle Joseph | Swansea City | Undisclosed | [52] |
| 17 July 2023 | CM | Josh Miles | Southport | Undisclosed | [53] |
| 18 July 2023 | GK | Mackenzie Chapman | Free agency | — | [54] |
| 16 August 2023 | CM | Tashan Oakley-Boothe | Free agency | — | [55] |
| 25 August 2023 | CF | Kylian Kouassi | Free agency | — | [56] |
| 31 January 2024 | CM | Ryan Finnigan | Southampton | Undisclosed | [57] |
| 1 February 2024 | CB | Dan Sassi | Burnley | Undisclosed | [58] |
| Date | Pos | Player | To | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2023 | LW | Keshi Anderson | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | DM | Liam Bridcutt | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Luke Garbutt | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Harvey Hughes | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Reece James | Sheffield Wednesday | Undisclosed | [60] |
| 30 June 2023 | LW | Beryly Lubala | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Gary Madine | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Chris Maxwell | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Stuart Moore | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Curtis Nelson | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | DM | Kevin Stewart | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Joe Strawn | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Jordan Thorniley | Free agency | — | [59] |
| 12 July 2023 | CF | Jerry Yates | Swansea City | Undisclosed | [61] |
| 31 August 2023 | DM | Tom Trybull | Free agency | — | [62] |
| 12 January 2024 | CB | Doug Tharme | Grimsby Town | Undisclosed | [63] |
| 24 January 2024 | CM | Kenny Dougall | Buriram United | Undisclosed | [64] |
| 31 January 2024 | CM | Tashan Oakley-Boothe | Free agency | Mutual consent | [65] |
| 1 February 2024 | RW | Owen Dale | Oxford United | Undisclosed | [66] |
| Date | Pos | Player | From | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 2023 | CM | Jensen Weir | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 January 2024[a] | [67][68] |
| 25 August 2023 | CF | Jordan Rhodes | Huddersfield Town | End of season | [69] |
| 30 August 2023 | RW | Karamoko Dembélé | Brest | End of season | [70] |
| 8 January 2024 | LB | Hayden Coulson | Middlesbrough | End of season | [71] |
| 1 February 2024 | CM | George Byers | Sheffield Wednesday | End of season | [72] |
| Date | Pos | Player | To | Until | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 August 2023 | RB | Jack Moore | Chorley | 29 January 2024[a] | [73][74] |
| 27 August 2023 | CB | Alex Lankshear | Dorking Wanderers | 27 August 2023 | [75] |
| 1 September 2023 | MF | Rob Apter | Tranmere Rovers | 2 January 2024 | [76] |
| 1 September 2023 | LW | Owen Moffat | Dunfermline Athletic | End of season | [77] |
| 8 September 2023 | CF | Zak Emmerson | Eastbourne Borough | 1 January 2024 | [78] |
| 8 September 2023 | CF | Brad Holmes | Southport | 30 January 2024[b] | [79][80] |
| 8 September 2023 | CM | Luke Mariette | Southport | 7 October 2023 | [79] |
| 9 November 2023 | CM | Dannen Francis | Workington | 7 December 2023 | [81] |
| 21 November 2023 | CM | Luke Mariette | Macclesfield | 27 January 2024[c] | [82][83] |
| 15 December 2023 | CB | Will Squires | Southport | 13 January 2024 | [84] |
| 12 January 2024 | RW | Rob Apter | Tranmere Rovers | End of season | [85] |
| 12 January 2024 | RB | Kwaku Donkor | Havant & Waterlooville | 9 March 2024 | [86] |
| 12 January 2024 | LB | Dominic Thompson | Forest Green Rovers | End of season | [87] |
| 26 January 2024 | CM | Luke Mariette | Guiseley | End of season | [83] |
| 30 January 2024 | CF | Brad Holmes | Dunfermline Athletic | End of season | [88] |
| 23 February 2024 | CB | Dan Sassi | Rochdale | End of season[d] | [89][90] |
