Blackpool

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The new club played in the Lancashire League until 1896 when their application to join the Football League was accepted.

In 1899, the club lost their League status after finishing third from bottom of Division Two. They then merged with local rivals South Shore FC, and took over South Shore's Bloomfield Road ground. A year later they were re-admitted to Division Two.

In the mid 1920s the club first adopted their famous tangerine shirts, reportedly after their manager had paid a visit to the Netherlands.

In 1930 the club were promoted to the First Division, where they spent three seasons. In 1937, they were promoted once again, and this time would remain in the top flight for almost three decades.

The years immediately following the war were the golden era for the club. The club were regular challengers for the League title, and with players of the calibre of Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortenson, they reached two FA Cup finals (1948 and 1951) before an epic victory over Bolton Wanderers in the 1953 “Matthews Final”.

Sadly, after the abolition of the maximum wage, clubs of modest means could no longer afford the big name players.

The "Tangerines" managed to hold on to their First Division status until 1967, after which they languished in Division Two for ten years – broken by a brief return to Division One in 1970. By 1981, they were in Division Four.

In 1987 the club was rescued from bankruptcy by millionaire estate agent, Owen Oyston, and although Oyston was jailed in 1996, his family have retained their interest and kept the club afloat.

In 2001, they were promoted to Division Two (third tier) and in 2007 won promotion to The Championship (second tier).