Blackpool legend Brett Ormerod admits he cannot wait for his testimonial match at Mill Farm next month.
Ormerod’s Tangerine All Stars, a team made up of his former Blackpool teammates, will take on a Dave Challinor AFC Fylde Select side on July 31st 2016 in the curtain raiser at the Coasters’ new stadium.
Tickets for the game will go on general sale from June 27th and the ex-Premier League hitman is relishing the eagerly-anticipated match.
“I’m very much looking forward to the game now,” said Ormerod. “I’m getting a bit excited and even a little bit nervous!
“The stadium at Mill Farm is looking fantastic and I’m sure it will be a memorable day. I had a quick look around this week and it is unbelievable. There is grass on the pitch now so it’s all coming together nicely.
“I have my team for the day sorted in principle. One or two of the lads are still playing so they will just have to wait on their pre-season schedule, but hopefully they will be fine.
“I’ve got a good mixture of lads from the promotion teams of 2001 and 2010 from my two spells at Blackpool.
“I had a run out a couple weeks ago for one of my other former clubs Southampton for a legends match and that was a bit of a warm up for this. Now I have two months to try and get fit again. I feel okay but I’m not quite as fit as I once was! I’m a member of a local gym so I’ll be hammering the treadmill for the next few weeks!
“I spent the majority of my career at Bloomfield Road, but the politics around the club at the moment meant I just couldn’t hold it there. It would have caused a lot of problems so when David Haythornthwaite gave me the opportunity to hold it at Fylde’s new stadium, I jumped at the chance.
“I played with Gary Parkinson and worked with him as a coach too so it felt right to make a donation to his charity. It will also be a good way for me to say goodbye to the fans and close the lid on what has been a very good career for me.
“It’s all about going out there and enjoying yourself in these games. I was lucky enough to play in Matt le Tissier’s a few years ago and the first half was quite tense, but a few subs came on in the second half, the sun came out and there was a great vibe around the ground.
“It will be played in good spirit and I’m sure there will be a fantastic atmosphere. That’s what matters to me, I don’t mind whether I score or not, it’s about everyone having a great day.
“The Blackpool fans haven’t had much to cheer about over the last couple of years so I also want this for them. Getting to see a few ex-players back in tangerine shirts for one last time will be great for them.
“Mill Farm is only down the road and it gives Fylde a chance to show off their brand new stadium. Fylde are an up and coming team with plenty of ambition and hopefully they will get few more through the gate on the back of this.”