This Saturday, December 9, just under 2,000 Carlisle United supporters will converge on Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road.
After Carlisle United sold out their allotment more than a week in advance, Blackpool’s away end is set to sell out for the fourth time this season.
After barely over a day of going on sale, Carlisle’s allotted 1,997 seats with reserved seating were sold out. Season ticket holders were the first to purchase tickets; general public access was not granted. With 2,063 Derby supporters and 2,047 from Wigan Athletic, it will be the third-largest crowd to ever visit Bloomfield Road. 1,928 supporters from Port Vale attended as well, but that number will be surpassed on Saturday.
With 4,407 away fans to Bolton Wanderers this season, the Cumbrians have the biggest away following. With 4,171 supporters, the Tangerines had the second-largest following on the same territory. The fact that Carlisle is in the middle of a relegation battle speaks something about their fan base. Paul Simpson’s team has only scored 15 of a possible 57 points, placing them in 22nd place right now. With 15 more points than them so far, Blackpool are in ninth place, 14 places higher than them.
Prior to kickoff, Blackpool was playing for the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. With goals from Owen Dale and Jake Beesley, Blackpool defeated Barnsley 2-1. However, Carlisle did not participate in the competition as they were ousted in the group stages. They last played on Tuesday, November 28, losing to Reading 5-1.
The last league match between Blackpool and Carlisle at Bloomfield Road ended in a 2-2 draw in September of 2016. In League Two, the two players who were trading goals were Kyle Vassell and Armaund Gnauduillet. Charlie Wyke and Michael Raynes had given them a two-goal lead. Their most recent home victory came on Boxing Day, 2006, when Blackpool defeated them 2-1. Despite Karl Hawley’s goal in the 73rd minute, a Peter Murphy own goal and a half-hour effort by Keigan Parker were enough to seal the victory.blackpool news
