Blackpool

Blackpool
Jones extends Seasiders contract Blackpool goalkeeper Lee Jones has signed a new contract to extend his stay at Bloomfield Road. Jones, 34, has agreed a 12-month deal with the option of a further year. "I've had some injury problems but over the last couple of months I have been injury-free and really enjoyed my football," he told the club's website. The former Bristol Rovers and Stockport goalkeeper has started 58 games for the Seasiders since signing on a permanent basis in August 2003.

Winger Bullock to leave Blackpool
Blackpool boss Colin Hendry has told experienced winger Martin Bullock that he will not be offered a new contract. The 30-year-old joined the Seasiders after being released by Barnsley in June 2001 and went on to make 184 appearances for the club. He was impressive in his first three seasons at Bloomfield Road and made a good start to the 2003/4 campaign. But a hamstring injury troubled him for the first half of the season and he failed to regain his best form after.

Stockport complete Clare switch
Stockport County have completed a deal to re-sign former fans' favourite Rob Clare from Blackpool. County boss Chris Turner was delighted to capture the 22-year-old defender, who left Edgeley Park in July and captained the Seasiders last season. Turner said: "He's a very versatile player and as next season's squad will be smaller that is very important." Winger Paul Edwards, 25, has also left Blackpool after boss Colin Hendry decided not to offer him a new deal.

Evans agrees new Blackpool deal
Blackpool defender Gareth Evans has put pen to paper on a new 12-month contract with the option of a further year at Bloomfield Road. The 24-year-old joined the Seasiders in the summer of 2003 after being released by Huddersfield and has played 57 games for Colin Hendry's side. "Hopefully I can be here for the next two years," Evans said. "I am looking forward to the start of next season and hopefully I can get a good season behind me."

Edwards snapped up by Latics boss
Oldham boss Ronnie Moore has signed Blackpool midfielder Paul Edwards on a free transfer and extended full-back Marc Tierney's contract by two years. Edwards, 25, has signed a one-year contract, while Tierney, 19 impressed Moore at the back end of last season. "Boundary Park is a great venue and the club has great ambition," Edwards said. "When I was playing for Wrexham, Ronnie tried to sign me. Now, as luck, would have it, I've ended up following him to Boundary Park and I'm delighted."

Hills keen on return to Blackpool
Gillingham's out of contract defender John Hills is in talks with his former club Blackpool about a possible move back to Bloomfield Road. Hills, 27, only joined the Gills from the Seasiders in June 2003. Blackpool boss Colin Hendry said: "I have spoken to John and I would love him to come back to this football club. "If it's possible from the club's point of view it will be done, if it's not possible for another reason then it is not possible. But we are trying."

Vernon and Wellens switch clubs
Midfielder Richie Wellens has left Blackpool to join League One rivals Oldham - with striker Scott Vernon moving in the opposite direction. Wellens, 25, has signed a two-year deal at Boundary Park, while Vernon, 21, has penned a two-year deal at Bloomfield Road with an option for a further year. Vernon had a loan spell at Blackpool early last season, scoring four goals in three games before being recalled. Wellens lifted the LDV Vans Trophy as the Seasiders' captain in 2004. However, the former Manchester United trainee, who joined Blackpool in March 2000, had been on the transfer list since the start of last season. The last of his 226 senior appearances in a Seasiders shirt came in March - when he was sent off for the second time in three games. Vernon moves after scoring 20 goals in 43 league starts for the Latics - including the only goal in their giant-killing FA Cup victory over Manchester CIty last season. He had only recently agreed a new three-year deal at Boundary Park.

Blackpool boss cool on Beckett
Blackpool manager Colin Hendry has revealed the club are unlikely to sign Luke Beckett from Sheffield United despite agreeing a fee for the player. "We did as much as we can as a football club to sign him," Hendry told the club's official website. "We have spoken and agreed everything with the club but it doesn't look like it is going to happen, though you never know in football. "We are getting on with things and Luke was one we were monitoring." Beckett joined Sheffield United in November 2004 but has failed to establish himself in the first team and has since been loaned to Huddersfield and Oldham.

Hendry is relishing Scottish trip
Blackpool boss Colin Hendry is looking forward to returning to his roots in July, after planning a pre-season trip to the Scottish Highlands. The Seasiders plan to play three games - and hope to stay in dormitories at the RAF base in Kinloss. Hendry told the club website: "It's all part of the bonding session you need to do, so the existing players get to meet the new lads on a daily basis. "Hopefully a lot of people will come and watch us play because of me." Hendry, who was born in Keith, won 51 caps for his country between 1993 and 2001. Blackpool's opponents for the tour have yet to be decided - but they plan to play games on 12, 14 and 16 July. The players will then return for the rest of their pre-season, which includes visits to Morecambe, Lancaster and Chester as well as a home game with Sheffield United.

Macclesfield hold Bullock talks
Macclesfield have confirmed that they have held talks with ex-Blackpool midfielder Martin Bullock. The 30-year-old former Barnsley player was released by the Tangerines at the end of last season after four years at Bloomfield Road. "We have had talks with Martin, but it has gone no further than that," chairman Rob Bickerton told Macclesfield's official website. "We may like him. But it could be he may not like us."

Blades cancel Blackpool friendly
Sheffield United have been forced to call off their pre-season friendly against Blackpool. The Bloomfield Rd fixture, scheduled for July 27, is too close to the end of Blades pre-season tour of China. Boss Neil Warnock told Blades website: "I'm disappointed because I feel we need two games against League opposition as part of the build-up. "I may look to to fit in a game behind closed doors before our friendly against Sunderland."

Prendergast eyes Blackpool move
Accrington Stanley winger Rory Prendergast, 27, is to join Blackpool for pre-season training with a view to a permanent move to Bloomfield Road. Chairman Eric Whalley told Stanley's website: "Although he's a good player we'll never stand in the way of someone who wants to further their career." "Rory has made no secret of his desire to play in the Football League and Blackpool is a big club." Prendergast has started 56 Conference games for Stanley in two years. He attracted interest from Bristol Rovers last season.

Keigan signs new Blackpool deal
Striker Keigan Parker has agreed a new deal to stay at Blackpool. Parker, 23, has penned a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months following a successful first season with the Seasiders. "It's a plus because if hed walked away at the end of the season then it would have been a loss to us," manager Colin Hendry told Blackpool's website. Parker scored 12 times last season to finish as Blackpool's leading scorer after Scott Taylor moved to Plymouth.

Blackpool talks with Bossu ended
Former Gillingham goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu will not be joining Blackpool after talks came to a halt. He has reportedly withdrawn after his pregnant wife was admitted to hospital. Bossu, 24, has been training with the Seasiders for the past two weeks and was expected to complete a permanent move to Bloomfield Road next week. Blackpool boss Colin Hendry told the club website: "I thought we were going to sign Bert Bossu who was freed from Gillingham, but it has fallen through."

Yeovil 1-1 Blackpool
Yeovil failed to claim their first win of the season despite dominating the second half at Huish Park. Blackpool took the lead against the run of play in the 15th minute through John Murphy, before rookie goalkeeper Lewis Edge replaced the injured Lee Jones. Yeovil went on the attack, bringing on David Poole and Arron Davies. Poole found Kevin Amankwaah who smashed in the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but the Glovers could not find the winner in the second half. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeovil: Weale, Amankwaah, Skiverton, Sodje, Jones, Gall (Poole 31), Johnson, Terry (Davies 32), Way, Jevons, Harrold (Oliver 81). Subs Not Used: Miles, Collis. Booked: Gall. Goals: Amankwaah 45. Blackpool: Jones (Edge 22), McGregor, Edwards, Clarke, Coid, Parker, Doolan (Grayson 83), Southern, Prendergast, Murphy, Vernon (Donnelly 52). Subs Not Used: Blinkhorn, Wiles. Booked: Parker, Coid, Clarke. Goals: Murphy 15. Att: 5,698. Ref: T Kettle (Rutland).

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