Free Blackpool FA Cup tie coaches for fans ‘fairy tale gesture’

A lifelong Blackpool FC fan is paying for free coaches for fellow supporters to make the 560 mile (901km) round trip to watch the Tangerines play Ipswich Town in the FA Cup Third Round.

Businessman Steve Richardson, 65, offered fans the chance just before Christmas for the game on 10 January and said he had had an “overwhelming” response.

“We are running 18 coaches and people keep contacting us,” said Mr Richardson, whose company TreadTracker is the team’s kit sponsor.

Blackpool Supporter’s Trust has described the gesture as “a real Tangerine fairytale come true.”

“Like all fans I thought this was the worst possible draw especially so soon after Christmas – who could afford that trip?”, he said.

He then added: “I thought, ‘I can afford it so why wouldn’t I?'”

Although he also said: “I think our recent results have made more people think about going to Ipswich.

“There is a real buzz among the fans like had the days we made it to the Premier League.

“Whatever the result people will enjoy the day out.”

Mr Richardson was praised by Christine Seddon of fans’ group Blackpool Supporters Trust.

She said: “This outstandingly generous initiative from Stephen Richardson and Treadtracker has made an impossible journey possible”.

She added: “So many fans are priced out of football especially those with young families – its a real Tangerine fairytale come true.

“A real sense of unity and optimism has been ignited and words just don’t cover how much we appreciate this.”