# 2023–24 Blackpool F.C. season

The 2023–24 season was the 115th season in the history of Blackpool F.C., and their first season back in League One, the third tier of English professional football, since the 2020–21 season, following their relegation from the EFL Championship at the end of the 2022–23 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 the FA Cup in the third round, knocked out of the EFL Cup in the second round and knocked out of the EFL Trophy in the semi-finals.
Jordan Rhodes, on loan from Huddersfield Town, was the club's top scorer, with fifteen goals in all competitions.
It was Neil Critchley's first season as manager, in his second spell at the club. It was also the club's 100th season in tangerine.

## Pre-season

On 2 June, Blackpool confirmed their first three pre-season friendlies, against Southport, Barrow and Morecambe. A fourth fixture was later added, versus Hibernian.
Blackpool made two signings which became official on 1 July: midfielder Albie Morgan and defender Matthew 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 from Kenny Dougall, Brad Holmes and Matty Virtue gave the visitors victory.
Blackpool hosted newly promoted Championship side Plymouth Argyle on 15 July. Plymouth won 2–1. Blackpool's goal came from Shayne Lavery's penalty.
Four days later, the Seasiders faced a Wolverhampton 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 and Sonny Carey (two).

### Fixtures and results

Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

## Season proper
### August

Blackpool opened their league campaign on 5 August with a 2–0 victory over Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road, in what was Neil 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.
Three days later, they booked their place in the second round of the EFL Cup after a 2–0 win at Derby County. Jake Beesley scored both Blackpool goals. They will face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium in the week commencing 28 August.
The club brought in midfielder Jensen Weir from Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan on 11 August.
A long trip to Exeter City on 12 August resulted in a point after a goalless draw. Blackpool dropped four places to eighth with the point.
Port Vale were the visitors to Bloomfield Road on 15 August in a match that finished goalless. Blackpool remained eighth.
The following day, midfielder Tashan 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.
On 25 August, striker Jordan Rhodes joined the club, on loan from Huddersfield Town, for the remainder of the season.
The club's first defeat occurred on 26 August, at Lincoln 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 by Wolverhampton Wanderers on 29 August, after a 5–0 scoreline at Molineux. It was their fifth-consecutive game without a goal, a total of 450 minutes.
On 30 August, winger Karamoko Dembélé joined on a season-long loan from Brest. Tom Trybull was released by mutual consent the following day.

### September

On 2 September, Blackpool beat Wigan Athletic 2–1, with goals from Jordan Rhodes (on his home debut) and Kenny Dougall (a 94th-minute winner). Blackpool climbed three places to twelfth with the victory.
Three days later, Blackpool travelled up the coast to face Barrow in the EFL Trophy. Goals from Sonny Carey and new arrival Kylian Kouassi gave Blackpool the three points.
After an eleven-day international break, Blackpool visited Wycombe Wanderers. They were beaten 2–0, and dropped two places to fourteenth in the table.
On 23 September, Blackpool beat Reading 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 at Barnsley. Jordan Rhodes scored from the penalty spot, his fifth goal in three games. Blackpool climbed three places to eleventh.

### October

Derby County beat Blackpool 3–1 at Bloomfield Road on 3 October, inflicting the Seasiders' first home defeat of the campaign. The hosts dropped two places to thirteenth.
On 7 October, Blackpool travelled to London to face Charlton 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 against Liverpool F.C. Academy. Kylian Kouassi scored a hat-trick; the other two goals came from Albie Morgan and Andy Lyons, on his return to the team following a family bereavement.
Blackpool beat Stevenage Borough 3–0 at Bloomfield Road on 14 October, the goals coming from Jordan Rhodes, Owen Dale and CJ Hamilton. Blackpool climbed three places to seventh, although several teams around them had their matches postponed due to international call-ups.
A trip to Oxford 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 to Cheltenham 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 to Peterborough 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.

### November

The fourth month of the campaign began with a 3–3 draw at nearby Fleetwood 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 the FA Cup with a 2–0 victory at Bromley on 4 November. The goals came from Shayne Lavery and Kylian Kouassi.
On 11 November, Blackpool lost 1–0 at Bolton Wanderers, managed by former Seasiders captain Ian Evatt. Blackpool remained eighth but had now played a game more than the teams around them.
Three days later, Blackpool beat Morecambe 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 beat Shrewsbury 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-table Portsmouth 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.
A defeat, 2–1 at home to Northampton Town, followed three days later. Jordan Rhodes scored the home side's goal, his eleventh for the club, who dropped one place to eighth.

### December

On 5 December, Blackpool beat Barnsley 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 beat Carlisle 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 at Burton Albion on Boxing Day.
A trip to Vale 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.

### January

Blackpool got 2024 underway with a 2–0 New Year's Day victory over Lincoln 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 to Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. The visitors went 2–0 up, through goals by Jordan 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. The following day, left-sided player Hayden Coulson, 25, joined Blackpool on loan from Middlesbrough.
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.
On 12 January, left-back Dominic Thompson was loaned out to Forest Green Rovers until the end of the season, while central defender Doug Tharme made a permanent move to Grimsby Town.
For the third time this season, Blackpool achieved back-to-back wins in the league, with a 2–0 scoreline over Exeter 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 for Buriram United for an undisclosed fee.
A 1–1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic on 27 January kept Blackpool in eighth place.
Three days later, Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers, on penalties after a goalless draw, to reach the semi-final of the EFL Trophy.
On 31 January, midfielder Ryan Finnigan joined on a permanent transfer from Southampton, for an undisclosed fee. Tashan Oakley-Boothe, meanwhile, had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

### February

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 neighbours Burnley for an undisclosed fee, while midfielder George Byers signed on loan for from Sheffield Wednesday for the remainder of the season. Winger Owen Dale moved to Oxford 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.
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

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, the first dismissal of his career, but it was overturned two days later upon review.
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.

### April

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).
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.
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.

### May

On 7 May, the club announced its retained list for the 2024–25 season. Contract extensions were exercised on five players:
* Harvey Bardsley
* Sonny Carey
* Jake Daniels
* Jack Moore
* Richard O'Donnell
Eleven players were released:
* Mackenzie Chapman
* Callum Connolly
* Marvin Ekpiteta
* Dannen Francis
* Brad Holmes
* Shayne Lavery
* Donovan Lescott
* Luke Mariette
* Will Squires
* Tayt Trusty
* Matty Virtue
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.

### June

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.

### League One
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | 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 | Qualified for League One play-offs |
| 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 | |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 9 April 2024. Source: Soccerway

#### Results

On 22 June, the EFL League One fixtures were released.
Win  Draw  Loss

### FA Cup

The Tangerines were drawn away to Bromley in the first round and at home to Forest Green Rovers in the second round.
Win  Draw  Loss

### EFL Cup

Blackpool were drawn away to Derby County in the first round and to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round.
Win  Draw  Loss

### EFL Trophy

In the group stage, Blackpool were drawn into Northern Group A alongside Barrow, Morecambe and Liverpool U21. After topping their group, they were drawn at home to Barnsley in the second round and Burton Albion in the third round. They were then drawn at home to Bolton Wanderers in the Quarter-Finals and to Peterborough United in the Semi-Finals.
| Pos | Div | Teamvte | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | L1 | Blackpool | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | ACA | Liverpool U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 3 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 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

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Pos | Player | From | Fee |
| 27 June 2023 | GK | Richard O'Donnell | Rochdale | Undisclosed |
| 29 June 2023 | CM | Oliver Norburn | Peterborough United | Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2023 | CM | Albie Morgan | Free agency | — |
| 1 July 2023 | CB | Matthew Pennington | Free agency | — |
| 12 July 2023 | CF | Kyle Joseph | Swansea City | Undisclosed |
| 17 July 2023 | CM | Josh Miles | Southport | Undisclosed |
| 18 July 2023 | GK | Mackenzie Chapman | Free agency | — |
| 16 August 2023 | CM | Tashan Oakley-Boothe | Free agency | — |
| 25 August 2023 | CF | Kylian Kouassi | Free agency | — |
| 31 January 2024 | CM | Ryan Finnigan | Southampton | Undisclosed |
| 1 February 2024 | CB | Dan Sassi | Burnley | Undisclosed |

### Out

| Date | Pos | Player | To | Fee |
| 30 June 2023 | LW | Keshi Anderson | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | DM | Liam Bridcutt | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Luke Garbutt | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Harvey Hughes | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Reece James | Sheffield Wednesday | Undisclosed |
| 30 June 2023 | LW | Beryly Lubala | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Gary Madine | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Chris Maxwell | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Stuart Moore | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Curtis Nelson | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | DM | Kevin Stewart | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Joe Strawn | Free agency | — |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Jordan Thorniley | Free agency | — |
| 12 July 2023 | CF | Jerry Yates | Swansea City | Undisclosed |
| 31 August 2023 | DM | Tom Trybull | Free agency | — |
| 12 January 2024 | CB | Doug Tharme | Grimsby Town | Undisclosed |
| 24 January 2024 | CM | Kenny Dougall | Buriram United | Undisclosed |
| 31 January 2024 | CM | Tashan Oakley-Boothe | Free agency | Mutual consent |
| 1 February 2024 | RW | Owen Dale | Oxford United | Undisclosed |

### Loaned in

| Date | Pos | Player | From | Fee |
| 11 August 2023 | CM | Jensen Weir | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 January 2024 |
| 25 August 2023 | CF | Jordan Rhodes | Huddersfield Town | End of season |
| 30 August 2023 | RW | Karamoko Dembélé | Brest | End of season |
| 8 January 2024 | LB | Hayden Coulson | Middlesbrough | End of season |
| 1 February 2024 | CM | George Byers | Sheffield Wednesday | End of season |
* ↑ On 1 January, Weir was recalled from his initial season-long loan by parent club Brighton.

### Loaned out

| Date | Pos | Player | To | Until |
| 4 August 2023 | RB | Jack Moore | Chorley | 29 January 2024 |
| 27 August 2023 | CB | Alex Lankshear | Dorking Wanderers | 27 August 2023 |
| 1 September 2023 | MF | Rob Apter | Tranmere Rovers | 2 January 2024 |
| 1 September 2023 | LW | Owen Moffat | Dunfermline Athletic | End of season |
| 8 September 2023 | CF | Zak Emmerson | Eastbourne Borough | 1 January 2024 |
| 8 September 2023 | CF | Brad Holmes | Southport | 30 January 2024 |
| 8 September 2023 | CM | Luke Mariette | Southport | 7 October 2023 |
| 9 November 2023 | CM | Dannen Francis | Workington | 7 December 2023 |
| 21 November 2023 | CM | Luke Mariette | Macclesfield | 27 January 2024 |
| 15 December 2023 | CB | Will Squires | Southport | 13 January 2024 |
| 12 January 2024 | RW | Rob Apter | Tranmere Rovers | End of season |
| 12 January 2024 | RB | Kwaku Donkor | Havant & Waterlooville | 9 March 2024 |
| 12 January 2024 | LB | Dominic Thompson | Forest Green Rovers | End of season |
| 26 January 2024 | CM | Luke Mariette | Guiseley | End of season |
| 30 January 2024 | CF | Brad Holmes | Dunfermline Athletic | End of season |
| 23 February 2024 | CB | Dan Sassi | Rochdale | End of season |
* ↑ On 3 November, Moore's loan at Chorley was extended until January, before being extended again until the end of that month.
* ↑ On 13 December, Holmes' loan at Southport was extended until the end of January.
* ↑ On 27 January, Mariette was recalled back from his season-long loan at Macclesfield and subsequently joined Guiseley on loan.
* ↑ On 26 March, Sassi's loan at Rochdale was extended until the end of season.