After experiencing a family tragedy, Owen Dale scored in Blackpool’s victory over Stevenage on his league comeback.
The winger scored twice in 50 games while on loan at Pompey last season, displaying outstanding dedication to the team.
After the Tangerines were relegated from the Championship, he returned to the team and quickly cemented his position as a wingback for Neil Critchley’s squad.
His pregnant fiancée Jess tragically lost their baby due to circumstances, therefore he was unable to travel with them on their League One trip to Charlton earlier this month.
Even yet, Dale claimed he was prepared to return to football a few days later and started last Tuesday night’s 5-2 victory over Liverpool Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
And on Saturday, he scored Blackpool’s second goal in their 3-0 victory over Stevenage to celebrate his first league game since the death of his family.
Following a weekend with only four League One games played due to international obligations, Jordan Rhodes and CJ Hamilton also scored, moving them up to seventh position.
It was Dale’s first goal in 12 games this season as he works to maintain his spot in the Tangerines’ starting lineup.
He has recently been chosen as a wing-back and has performed well in the new position since being introduced to it against Reading at the end of last month. After being sent on a season-long loan to Fratton Park by the previous manager Michael Appleton, it appears the former Crewe player has a better future under Critchley.
Nevertheless, Dale and his family have endured a heartbreaking week. At the time, Dale’s manager told Blackpool club media that Dale’s fiancée Jess had a problem giving birth to their child, and sadly, the child was lost.
For him, his partner, and the family, that has been tremendously challenging. We are behind him, we’re here for him, and we’re keeping him in our thoughts. Dale began his loan with the Blues in August 2022 and made his debut for Danny Cowley’s team in a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory against Championship Cardiff.
He would make a total of 41 starts across all competitions, but John Mousinho preferred to concentrate on the players who would be staying at Fratton Park, so he substituted in the final four games.
His second goal for the Blues, a 1-0 triumph over relegation-bounced Forest Green in April, was a wholehearted, spirited, and laborious performance.
