Blackpool v Hartlepool Utd: Amond gets a kick out of big Pools support heading for seaside

Padraig Amond says Hartlepool United's fans can turn tomorrow's trip to Blackpool into a home game.
Pools striker Padraig AmondPools striker Padraig Amond
Pools striker Padraig Amond

Pools will be backed by more than 1,400 supporters at Bloomfield Road, with numbers still expected to grow.

And the leading scorer says that will be a huge boost for the away team who are chasing crucial points in their bid for League Two safety.

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“It’s fantastic,” said Amond. “We could be outnumbering the home support.

“It’s vital we turn it around and make it into a home match.”

Bloomfield Road is likely to be a sea of blue and white tomorrow.

A large number of Blackpool fans are boycotting home matches in protest at the Oyston family, who own the Seasiders.

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Thousands of their supporters have pledged not to spend any more of their cash at Bloomfield Road while the Oystons are still in control.

It has turned a ground which was hosting the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and the like in the Premier League as recently as 2011.

But the East Stand, constructed for their time in the top flight, will be full of empty tangerine seats bar a ball boy or two plus members of the media, with up to 2,000 Poolies housed in the Mortensen North Stand.

Pools will go into the game full of confidence, despite last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers who, like Blackpool, have their eyes fixed on the play-offs.

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Amond says the belief, gained in the previous game, a 1-0 win at Cambridge is still running through their veins.

“It was a big result. We hadn’t won away from home since the first of October,” said the 13-goal forward.

“It was important for a few reasons – we got the win obviously, got the away monkey off our backs and we kept a clean sheet.

“It was the perfect night and it gives us confidence to what essentially could be a home game with all the fans we’ll have there plus what’s going on at Blackpool with their supporters staying away.

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“We have to take advantage of that and turn it into a home game.

“Our home form had been decent up until last weekend.”

Amond will lead the Pools line tomorrow against the Tangerines.

And he says he feels “refreshed” and raring to go after a trip to his native Ireland.

“I had a couple of days off after the weekend,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s been the first time I’ve been able to get home since before Christmas.

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“My brother, John, has just had a baby, so it was nice to finally meet my niece, Harper.

“I’m delighted to have see her and my family and I feel refreshed after a couple of days back home.

“It’s back to business now and it’ll be a tough game, Blackpool are in good form and in a position where they will be looking to propel themselves to the promotion play-offs.

“But every point is precious to us and we’ll be going there looking to get all three points or at least a point.”