The 2021–22 Blackpool F.C. season was the club's 113th season in the English Football League, and their first season back in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English professional football, after winning the EFL League One play-offs. The season covered the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. It was head coach Neil Critchley's second full season in charge.
Blackpool began the season by picking up two points from a possible 15 during August, with draws at Bristol City and Bournemouth, and defeats at home to Cardiff City and Coventry City and at Millwall. They reached the second round of the EFL Cup, after beating Middlesbrough in the first round, but exited at the hands of Sunderland. They finished August in 22nd place in the Championship table.
By contrast, Blackpool lost only once in September. In the league, they claimed ten points out of a possible 15, with victories at home to Fulham and Barnsley, and at Middlesbrough. A 3–0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town and a 1–1 draw at Hull City were the other two results. September was closed out with the club in 14th place in the table.
In October, the club's uptick in form continued as they won four of their five Championship fixtures, beating Blackburn Rovers (home), Reading (away), local rivals Preston North End and newly relegated Sheffield United (away). They lost at Nottingham Forest in the second fixture of the run. They finished October in sixth place in the table.
November returned three points from a possible fifteen, after three draws (at home to Q.P.R. and West Brom, and at Swansea City) were bookended by defeats at home to Stoke City and at Birmingham City. They finished November in 11th place in the table. Neil Critchley also signed a new, four-year contract with the club this month.
From the fifteen points available during December, Blackpool picked up three, from a 3–1 home victory over Peterborough United. Defeats occurred at home to Luton Town, at Derby County and Huddersfield, and at home to Middlesbrough. They finished the year in 13th place, albeit having played several games more than the teams around them.
In contrast to the end of 2021, Blackpool began the first month of 2022 unbeaten (in the league, at least), after consecutive single-goal home victories against Hull City and Millwall, followed up with a draw at league leaders Fulham. They exited the FA Cup at the third-round stage (the round in which they entered) on 8 January, at the hands of Hartlepool United.
February returned eight points from a possible eighteen, with wins at home to Bristol City and Reading, draws at Coventry City and Cardiff City and defeats at home to Bournemouth and at QPR.
Blackpool began March with two successive single-goal victories, at Stoke City and at home to Swansea City. A goalless draw, at Sheffield United, followed. Due to an international break, only nine points were available in March, of which Blackpool picked up seven.
April proved to be slim pickings for points, with only eight obtained from a possible 24. Victories came at home to Birmingham City and at Barnsley; draws were gained at Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town; while the four defeats came at home to Nottingham Forest, at Preston and West Bromwich Albion, and at home to Derby County.
Since Blackpool had eight fixtures in April, they had only one in the final month of the season. They lost 5–0 at already relegated Peterborough United, a result for which Neil Critchley and captain Chris Maxwell apologised to the travelling fans. They finished the season in 16th place in the Championship.
Pre-season Blackpool announced they would have friendly matches against Squires Gate, Southport, Newport County, Rangers,"Blackpool Add Rangers Game To Pre-Season Schedule" – Blackpool F.C., 28 June 2021 Carlisle United, Burnley, Bamber Bridge and Morecambe as part of the club's pre-season preparations.
Accrington Stanley replaced Newport County in a change that was made on 16 July. The same day, the planned friendly against Bamber Bridge was cancelled.
Irish defender Richard Keogh joined the club on 17 July following his release by Huddersfield Town.
The Rangers friendly was cancelled on 19 July after a COVID-19 outbreak amongst the Blackpool squad.
Former Scotland international Stuart McCall joined the club as assistant head coach to Neil Critchley on 22 July 2021, replacing the departed Colin Calderwood. McCall's father, Andy, played for the club in the 1940s and 1950s, and his sister was born in the town."Stuart McCall Joins Blackpool's Coaching Staff" – Blackpool F.C., 22 July 2021
Striker Tyreece John-Jules joined on a season-long loan from Arsenal on 29 July.
A behind-closed-doors friendly was arranged against Manchester City on 3 August."Seasiders Add Manchester City Game To Pre-Season Schedule" – Blackpool F.C., 31 July 2021
Results Blackpool's visit to nearby Squires Gate on 9 July ended in a 7–0 victory for the Tangerines, the goals coming from seven different players: Harrison, Mariette, Matshazi, Francis, Bange, Yelegon and Nyame."Young Blackpool XI Defeat Non-League Neighbours Squires Gate in Pre-Season Friendly" – Blackpool Gazette, 9 July 2021
Another local derby, at Southport, the following day saw Blackpool win 2–0. The goals came from Demetri Mitchell and new signing Shayne Lavery. The visitors, who named different starting line-ups for each half, played most of the second with ten men, after CJ Hamilton went off with an injury."Pre-Season Report: Southport 0–2 Blackpool" – Blackpool F.C., 10 July 2021
A visit to Accrington Stanley on 17 July ended in a 3–1 defeat. Demetri Mitchell scored the visitors' goal, from the penalty spot.Blackpool 1 Accrington Stanley 3 – Blackpool F.C., 17 July 2021 The same day, veteran defender Richard Keogh joined the club on a free transfer.
Blackpool travelled north to face Carlisle United on 24 July. Demetri Mitchell scored his third goal in the four fixtures in what was the only goal of the game.Carlisle United 0 Blackpool 1 – Blackpool F.C., 24 July 2021
On 27 July, Burnley visited Bloomfield Road, and they returned east with a single-goal victory.Blackpool 0 Burnley 1 – Blackpool F.C., 27 July 2021
On 29 July, 20-year-old forward Tyreece John-Jules joined on loan from Arsenal for the season.
Pre-season continued with a 1–1 draw at Morecambe on 31 July"Morecambe 1-1 Blackpool: CJ Hamilton rescues the Seasiders a draw in final pre-season friendly ahead of Bristol City opener" – Blackpool Gazette, 31 July 2021 (the visitors' goal coming from CJ Hamilton) and concluded with a 4–1 defeat at Premier League champions Manchester City on 3 August. Luke Garbutt scored Blackpool's goal from the penalty spot.Pre-Season Report: Manchester City 4 Blackpool 1 – Blackpool F.C., 3 August 2021
In detail
Season proper August Blackpool opened their league campaign with a 1–1 draw at Nigel Pearson's Bristol City on 7 August. Chris Martin put the hosts ahead just before the interval, and the score remained that way until the fourth minute of injury time, when second-half substitute Shayne Lavery scored on his debut. Blackpool were eighth place at the final whistle,Bristol City 1–1 Blackpool – BBC Sport, 7 August 2021 but dropped to thirteenth after the remaining fixtures were played.
Middlesbrough visited Bloomfield Road in the first round of the EFL Cup on 11 August. Blackpool won 3–0, with goals from Callum Connolly, Shayne Lavery and Keshi Anderson.Blackpool 3–0 Middlesbrough – BBC Sport, 11 August 2021
On 13 August, Ewan Bange was loaned out to Bamber Bridge."Bange And Apter Loaned To Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool F.C., 13 August 2021
Mick McCarthy's Cardiff City were next up at the seaside, and they returned to Wales with all three points after a 2–0 victory.Blackpool 0–2 Cardiff City – BBC Sport, 14 August 2021
A second-successive Championship defeat followed on 17 August, 1–0 at home at the hands of Coventry City. Blackpool did climb, to 22nd, after other results that evening.Blackpool 0–1 Coventry City – BBC Sport, 17 August 2021
Blackpool made the long trip to Bournemouth on 21 August, and found themselves two goals down inside twenty minutes after a double from Dominic Solanke. Goals from James Husband and Jerry Yates (penalty) levelled matters,AFC Bournemouth 2–2 Blackpool – BBC Sport, 21 August 2021 giving the visitors their second point from a possible twelve since the start of the league campaign.
Three days later, Blackpool exited the EFL Cup at the second-round stage after losing 3–2 at home to Sunderland, whose Aiden O'Brien rounded out his hat-trick with a 92nd-minute winner.Blackpool 2–3 Sunderland – BBC Sport
A third League defeat in Blackpool's opening five fixtures occurred at Millwall on 28 August. The visitors' Callum Connolly was sent off on 14 minutes, but Blackpool took the lead, with Shayne Lavery's fourth goal of the season, eleven minutes into the second half. Jed Wallace levelled for the Lions on 63 minutes from a free-kick. Jake Cooper scored the winner in the final minute.Millwall 2–1 Blackpool – BBC Sport, 28 August 2021
On transfer-deadline day, 31 August, Blackpool brought in four players: Jordan Gabriel (returning after being on loan at the club the previous season) in a permanent, four-year deal, while Ryan Wintle (Cardiff City), Dujon Sterling (Chelsea) and Owen Dale (Crewe Alexandra) joined on loan.
September On 9 September, Blackpool named their 25-man squad. Due to injuries to Matty Virtue, Grant Ward and Gary Madine, three spaces were left open."Blackpool leave three spaces free in 25-man EFL squad list" – Blackpool Gazette, 9 September 2021
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Grimshaw, Chris Maxwell, Stuart Moore. Defenders: Callum Connolly, Marvin Ekpiteta, Jordan Gabriel, Luke Garbutt, Daniel Gretarsson, James Husband, Reece James, Richard Keogh, Dujon Sterling (loan). Midfielders: Keshi Anderson, Josh Bowler, Owen Dale (loan), Kenny Dougall, Demetri Mitchell, Kevin Stewart, Ryan Wintle (loan). Forwards: Tyreece John-Jules (loan), Shayne Lavery, Jerry Yates. Gary Madine, injured since last season, was registered just before the Huddersfield fixture on 14 September. He was named on the bench for that match."Critchley: Madine Can Offer Added Dimension" – Blackpool F.C., 15 September 2021
The under-21s:
Goalkeepers: Charlie Monks. Defenders: Oliver Casey, Ryan Grant, Cameron Hill, Sky Sinclair. Midfielders: Cameron Antwi, Rob Apter, Sonny Carey, Luke Mariette, Matthew Liptrott. Forwards: Ewan Bange, Brad Holmes, Johnny Johnston.
Also on 9 September, youth defender Charlie Penman joined Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.
Division leaders Fulham visited Bloomfield Road on 11 September. Josh Bowler's second-half strike gave Blackpool their first League win of the season, while also handing the visitors their first League defeat. The hosts climbed three places to 19th.Blackpool 1–0 Fulham – BBC Sport, 11 September 2021
A 3–0 home defeat followed to Huddersfield Town on 14 September.Blackpool 0–3 Huddersfield – BBC Sport, 14 September 2021
Blackpool's second league victory of the campaign was achieved at Middlesbrough on 18 September. Marcus Tavernier put Boro ahead inside ten minutes, but a goal from Marvin Ekpiteta and own goal by former Blackpool loanee Grant Hall gave Blackpool the three points.Middlesbrough 1–2 Blackpool – BBC Sport, 18 September 2021
A second consecutive victory followed at home to Barnsley on 25 September. Shayne Lavery's 32nd-minute strike was the only goal of the game. Blackpool climbed to 14th place.Blackpool 1–0 Barnsley – BBC Sport, 25 September 2021
A trip to Hull City resulted in a 1–1 draw, after Blackpool led for over half the game and despite the hosts being reduced to ten men with twenty minutes remaining. Shayne Lavery scored for Blackpool.Hull City 1–1 Blackpool – BBC Sport, 28 September 2021
October