The Mariners begin their 2026/27 Carabao Cup campaign this afternoon as Blackpool make the trip to Blundell Park for the First Round.
The Seasiders are familiar opponents for Town, with today’s meeting the 66th between the two clubs across their respective histories.
Founded in 1887, Blackpool finished 13th in League One last season and will be hoping to make a strong start under returning manager Ian Evatt.
Head-to-head
Town currently hold the historical advantage in this fixture, with 26 victories compared to Blackpool’s 22, while 17 meetings have ended all square.
The first encounter between the two clubs came on New Year’s Day 1897, when Blackpool recorded a 1-0 victory in front of 5,000 supporters at Raikes Hall, their home between 1888 and 1899.
The Mariners earned their first result against the Seasiders just a matter of weeks later, with the return fixture ending in a 2-2 draw.
Recent history has also favoured Town. Across the last eight meetings in all competitions, the Mariners have recorded four victories, with Blackpool winning twice and the other two encounters ending in draws.
The most recent meeting at Blundell Park came on New Year’s Eve in 2016, with the sides playing out a goalless draw.
Blackpool’s last victory in Cleethorpes came in March 2004, when goals from John Murphy and Daniel Coid secured a 2-1 victory for the visitors. Town’s most recent home win against the Seasiders came in February 1998, when Daryl Clare’s second-half strike secured the points.
The last meeting between the two sides came in April 2017, when the Mariners ran out 3-1 winners at Bloomfield Road.
The Manager: Ian Evatt
Ian Evatt returned to the Blackpool dugout in October 2025, bringing with him a strong connection to the club and its supporters.
The former defender made 254 appearances for the Seasiders between 2006 and 2013, scoring 10 goals and playing a key role in two promotions, including Blackpool’s rise to the Premier League.
Evatt’s playing career also included spells with Chesterfield and Queens Park Rangers before he moved into coaching and management.
Following a brief spell as caretaker manager at Chesterfield, Evatt took charge of Barrow and guided the club to the National League title during the 2019/20 campaign, ending their 48-year wait to return to the Football League.
He subsequently enjoyed further success with Bolton Wanderers, leading the club to automatic promotion to League One while establishing a reputation for an attractive and positive style of football.
Now back at Bloomfield Road, Evatt will be hoping to lead the Seasiders to another successful campaign, with the Carabao Cup providing the first opportunity to progress into the Second Round.
One to Watch: George Honeyman
Blackpool captain George Honeyman brings considerable experience and leadership to the centre of the Seasiders’ midfield.
A product of the Sunderland academy, Honeyman made his senior debut under Gus Poyet in an FA Cup tie against Bradford City in February 2015. He subsequently spent time on loan with Gateshead before returning to Sunderland, where he was handed the captain’s armband in 2018.
His move to Hull City in 2019 brought further success. Honeyman was instrumental in the Tigers’ League One title-winning campaign in 2020/21, while his performances earned him recognition in both the PFA Team of the Year and EFL League One Team of the Season.
After three seasons with Millwall, the midfielder joined Blackpool in June 2025 and was appointed club captain.
His experience and leadership will make him an important figure for Ian Evatt’s side this afternoon.
One to Watch: Tom Bloxham
Standing at 6ft 5in, Tom Bloxham offers Blackpool an imposing presence in the wide areas, combining his physical stature with pace and direct running.
Bloxham began his career with Leicester City before joining Shrewsbury Town’s academy, progressing through the ranks to make his first-team debut in League One in April 2021.
Aside from a loan spell with Morecambe during the 2023/24 campaign, Bloxham spent his early senior career playing in League One before Blackpool secured his signature in January 2025.
Interestingly, his final goal for Shrewsbury came against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, before he subsequently made the move to the Seasiders.
The 2025/26 campaign was the most productive of his career to date, with Bloxham making 50 appearances across all competitions and scoring eight goals.
The wide man will therefore provide another attacking threat for the Mariners to be wary of as the two sides meet once again.
Blackpool at a glance
Founded: 1887
Nickname: The Seasiders
Manager: Ian Evatt
2025/26 finish: 13th in League One
Highest league finish: 2nd, First Division, 1955/56
Last meeting: Blackpool 1-3 Grimsby Town, 8 April 2017
With a place in the Second Round at stake, the Mariners will be looking to begin their Carabao Cup journey with victory in front of the Blundell Park faithful.
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