Mark Howard, ex-Blackpool goalkeeper, has reflected on his two contrasting stints with the Seasiders. Howard initially spent time with the Seasiders during the 2011/12 season, following the club's singular season in the Premier League. He later returned in 2018, at a time where things were very different, with fans staying away from matches in protest against the then-Oyston ownership. One of Howard's 52 appearances across his two spells was the 2019 homecoming fixture against Southend United, which holds special memories for everyone involved at Blackpool.
Why it matters for Blackpool
Howard's experiences with the club have given him a unique perspective on the team's current form, with Blackpool having ended the 2025 season 13th in League One, with 60 points from 46 games, and a recent form of WWWWL. He has also shared his thoughts on the current manager, Ian Evatt, who he played with during his first stint with the club. Howard believes that Evatt has always had the potential to be a successful manager, citing his intelligence and thinking about the game as key factors.
As Blackpool looks to the future, Howard's reflections on his time with the club serve as a reminder of the team's potential and the importance of fan support, with the team currently on a 5-game winning run, and their next fixture against Leicester at home on 2026-10-03. With the team having scored 54 goals and conceded 65, resulting in a -11 goal difference, and being 43 points behind leaders Lincoln, there is still much work to be done, but Howard's comments suggest that the team is on the right track, having recently won 1-0 against Reading on 2026-05-02.
