2019–20 Blackpool F.C. season

Blackpool players warming up before their friendly at Barrow on 20 July

Longridge Town hosting Blackpool at their Mike Riding Ground in a pre-season friendly on 28 July

Blackpool's opening pre-season friendly was at Dundee on 9 July. The hosts won the game by a single goal.

A week later, Blackpool faced local side AFC Fylde at Mill Farm. They won 2–0, with goals from Nathan Delfouneso and a debut strike from Adi Yussuf.

On 20 July, a split squad travelled to both Altrincham and Barrow. The Altrincham side lost 2–1 (Ben Tollitt netting for the visitors), while the Barrow side won 3–0, with strikes from Nathan Delfouneso, Armand Gnanduillet and an own-goal from Connor Brown. Former Seasider Ian Evatt, now manager of the hosts, came on as a late substitute to officially end his playing career, against the manager who brought him to Bloomfield Road in 2006.

Blackpool's first home friendly was against Blackburn Rovers on 27 July. They lost 2–0 to the Championship side. Jak Alnwick was given a starting debut, while James Husband came on as a substitute just after the hour mark.

Their final friendly before the season officially kicked off was at Longridge Town on 28 July. Goals from Callum Guy, Yusifu Ceesay, Harry Pritchard and Adi Yussuf helped the Seasiders to a 4–2 win.

On 6 August, three days after their opening 2−0 League One win at home to Bristol Rovers, Blackpool played a hastily arranged friendly against Fleetwood Town at Town's Poolfoot Farm training facility in Thornton-Cleveleys. The match finished 1–1, with Michael Nottingham scoring Blackpool's equalising goal.

Blackpool opened their League campaign at home to Bristol Rovers on 3 August, and gave a starting debut to four players: Jak Alnwick, James Husband, Ryan Edwards and Sullay Kaikai. A crowd of over 11,000 watched Jay Spearing put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after Rovers' goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola caught Curtis Tilt with the follow-through of a punch to clear the ball. Armand Gnanduillet doubled the lead a minute after the break with a diving header from Spearing's cross. The result put the Tangerines second in the table, behind local rivals Fleetwood Town.[18]

A week later, Blackpool travelled to the south coast to face Southend. Simon Grayson retained the same lineup that started against Bristol Rovers. An own-goal from the hosts' Harry Lennon gave the Seasiders the lead after nine minutes. Three minutes later, Nathan Delfouneso opened his scoring account for the campaign with a strike. He scored his second on 37 minutes, giving Blackpool a 3–0 lead at the break. James Husband was given a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Elvis Bwomono. Simon Cox pulled one back for Southend with fifteen minutes to go. Blackpool moved to the top of the table on goal-difference with the victory.[19]

On 13 August, Blackpool began their EFL Cup campaign with a home fixture against Macclesfield Town. Ollie Turton put Blackpool ahead just after the half-hour mark. The visitors levelled on 39 minutes via a Rocky Bushiri own-goal. Macclesfield went ahead midway into the second half through Virgil Gomis. Armand Gnanduillet equalised from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. The match went to a penalty shootout, which Macclesfield won 4–2.[20]

Back to League business, Oxford United visited Bloomfield Road on 17 August. The hosts were without Jay Spearing, who injured his shoulder in midweek, and the suspended James Husband. Ollie Turton deputised as captain in Spearing's absence. Ryan Edwards opened the scoring with a header on five minutes. Armand Gnanduillet doubled the lead from the penalty spot two minutes into first-half injury time after he was felled. Josh Ruffels pulled one back for the visitors two minutes later. The hosts held on for the victory, despite Oxford having 69% of the possession and 23 shots. Blackpool dropped to second in the table after Lincoln City, the only other team with a 100% record, won 4–0 at home to Southend.[21]

Blackpool made a midweek trip to Gilligham on 20 August. After going two goals down inside 37 minutes to a brace from Alex Jakubiak, Sullay Kaikai scored his first goal for the Tangerines to put them back in the game. Armand Gnanduillet scored his fourth goal of the campaign in first-half injury time to level matters. The match finished 2–2, and Blackpool returned to the top of the table after Lincoln City lost at MK Dons.[22]

On 23 August, two players departed on loan — Jamie Devitt to Bradford City[6] and Ben Tollitt to Wrexham[7] — while Ben Heneghan returned to the club on loan until January.[23]

The following day, Blackpool made the trip to Spotland Stadium to face Rochdale. The match finished goalless. Blackpool dropped to second place after Ipswich Town won 5–0 at Bolton.[24]

On 27 August, Simon Grayson made his third permanent signing of the season when left-back Calum Macdonald joined from Derby County on a free transfer.[25] On 30 August, the eve of Blackpool's home match against Portsmouth, Sean Scannell joined in a permanent deal from Bradford City. Harry Pritchard went in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, midfielder Yusifu Ceesay joined Altrincham on loan until January.

Portsmouth took the lead in said match, Marcus Harness finding the net after 17 minutes. Armand Gnanduillet scored his fifth goal of the season just before the hour mark to maintain the hosts' unbeaten campaign. Blackpool dropped to third position in the table.[26]

Blackpool made a winning start to their EFL Trophy campaign on 3 September with a 5–1 scoreline against Morecambe at Bloomfield Road. Ben Heneghan opened the scoring after four minutes. Kevin Ellison levelled for the visitors midway through the first half, before Michael Nottingham restored the home side's lead one minute into first-half injury time. Ryan Hardie scored his first goal for Blackpool six minutes after the break to make it 3–1. Substitute Sullay Kaikai made it 4–1 on 89 minutes. Joe Nuttall also opened his account for Blackpool with a goal one minute into injury time.[27]

Back to League duty on 7 September, Blackpool made the trip to Birmingham's St Andrew's stadium to face a homeless Coventry City. Sullay Kaikai opened the scoring inside the first minute. He repeated the feat after 38 minutes, but Coventry levelled matters before the break, with goals from Matt Godden on 41 minutes and, five minutes later, Wesley Jobello. Callum O'Hare, on loan from Aston Villa scored what proved to be the winner one minute into injury time. Blackpool had played the last eight minutes with ten men after substitute Nathan Delfouneso went off with hamstring tightness[28] on 87 minutes. The result ended Blackpool's unbeaten start to the League season, while also extending Coventry's. Blackpool dropped to sixth place, three points behind new leaders Wycombe Wanderers.[29]

A second-consecutive defeat occurred on 14 September at home to MK Dons. Russell Martin scored the visitors' first goal on five minutes. A mistake by Curtis Tilt let Jordan Houghton through, who made it 2–0 just after the hour mark. David Kasumu made it 3–0 with fifteen minutes remaining. Blackpool dropped to ninth place in the table.[30]

A midweek away trip to Doncaster Rovers on 17 September resulted in a single-goal victory for Blackpool. Armand Gnanduillet, in the third minute of injury time, headed his sixth goal in all competitions. Blackpool's three points saw them climb four places to fifth in the table.[31]

A short trip to Accrington Stanley on 21 September ended with a 1–1 draw. A Curtis Tilt own goal on 16 minutes was cancelled-out in injury time by Matty Virtue. Blackpool dropped one place to sixth.[32]

Six days later, Blackpool hosted Lincoln City, under the managership for the first time of the Tangerines' former manager Michael Appleton. Sean Scannell, in his first start for Blackpool, scored his first goal for the club on eleven minutes. Jordan Thompson doubled the lead ten minutes later. Jack Payne halved the Imps' deficit on 24 minutes. Blackpool climbed to fourth place with their victory.[33]

Into October, Blackpool travelled to the University of Bolton Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers for a Monday night game. The match ended goalless. Blackpool had climbed one place to fifth after Saturday's results; this point moved them back up to fourth.[34]

On 12 October, Rotherham United were the visitors to Bloomfield Road. Michael Smith put Rotherham ahead on 51 minutes. Former Blackpool player Clark Robertson made it two with three minutes of normal time remaining. Armand Gnanduillet pulled one back from the penalty spot nine minutes into added time. Blackpool fell to sixth place with the defeat.[35] Blackpool received five bookings during the match, bringing their tally to eleven in the last three games.

The following Tuesday saw a trip north to face Carlisle United in their second group-stage match. United keeper Louis Gray let the ball rebound into the net through his legs to give the Tangerines a 25th-minute lead. Carlisle levelled two minutes into first-half injury time through Ryan Loft. They went ahead for the first time three minutes from the end of normal time via Canice Carroll. Blackpool dropped to second in the group, behind Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s, with the defeat.[36]

Wycombe Wanderers were the visitors to Bloomfield Road on 22 October. Scott Kashket put Wycombe in the lead in the eighth minute. Ben Heneghan equalised for Simon Grayson's men on 68 minutes. Those were the only goals of the game, and Blackpool dropped to eighth place in the table.[37]

On 26 October, Blackpool visited Nigel Clough's Burton Albion. The match finished goalless, despite Curtis Tilt being sent off for two yellow cards just short of the hour mark. Blackpool, who had slipped to their lowest placing of the campaign thus far, climbed one place to ninth.[38]

On 2 November, Blackpool welcomed Peterborough United to the seaside. Blackpool were without Curtis Tilt, who was serving a suspension for his dismissal in the previous match. Mohamed Eisa opened the scoring for the visitors on 13 minutes. A Niall Mason own-goal brought the hosts level just before the half-hour mark. Armand Gnanduillet put Blackpool ahead for the first time on 41 minutes, but four minutes later Ivan Toney restored parity. Two minutes into the second half, Gnanduillet scored from the penalty spot, his ninth goal in all competitions this campaign, to put Blackpool ahead again. Marcus Maddison made it 3–3 with nineteen minutes remaining, but another Peterborough own-goal, this time from Dan Butler, proved to be the winning goal on 74 minutes. Blackpool climbed one place to eighth with the victory.[39]

Blackpool progressed to the second round of the EFL Trophy after a single-goal win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s on 5 November. Rocky Bushiri scored his first goal for the club three minutes into stoppage time.[40] Mark Howard made his first appearance for Blackpool since March, having overcome an Achilles tendon injury.[41]

Morecambe made the 40-mile trip to Bloomfield Road for an FA Cup first-round meeting on 9 November. Nathan Delfouneso put the Seasiders ahead just inside ten minutes. Armand Gnanduillet doubled their lead on 24 minutes, bringing his tally for the season to ten. Matty Virtue scored his second goal of the season just before half-time to make it 3–0. The Shrimps' Cole Stockton pulled one back two minutes in first-half stoppage time. Sullay Kaikai made it 4–1 with six minutes remaining.[42]

Prior to kick-off in the League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon at Bloomfield Road on 16 November, a minute's applause honoured the memories of Cyril Robinson and Les Campbell, who both died during the week. Robinson had been the last surviving member of Blackpool's 1953 FA Cup winning team. To mark that, another minute's applause occurred for him on 53 minutes. In the match, a double from Armand Gnanduillet gave Blackpool the three points, and their fourth consecutive win in all competitions. Gnanduillet had now scored twelve goals in all competitions. Blackpool climbed three places to fifth in the table.[43]

On 23 November, the Seasiders made the trip to Suffolk to take on then-league-leaders Ipswich Town. Mark Howard was not included in the 18 named players for the match. Gwion Edwards put the Tractor Boys ahead on eight minutes. Joe Nuttall, replacing the injured Armand Gnadnuillet, levelled proceedings on 22 minutes. Eight minutes into the second half, Jay Spearing put the visitors ahead for the first time from the spot. Another penalty, scored by Luke Garbutt, brought the hosts level. Blackpool, whose unbeaten run was extended to seven games, dropped three places to eighth in the table. The attendance was 19,503, around 500 of which was travelling support.[44]

Four days later, Scunthorpe United knocked Blackpool out of the EFL Trophy at the second-round stage when they won 3–1 at Bloomfield Road. Simon Grayson made eight changes from the side that had faced Ipswich. Kevin van Veen put the Iron ahead on 12 minutes. Abobaker Eisa made it two thirteen minutes later. Joe Nuttall pulled one back on 70 minutes, with his second goal in as many games, but the visitors scored a third in stoppage time, Eisa getting his second. Callum Guy was sent off for a second bookable offence on 73 minutes.[45]

Blackpool progressed to the third round of the FA Cup on 1 December with a 3–1 victory over Maidstone United at Bloomfield Road. Saidou Khan put the visitors ahead just before the half-hour mark. A George Elokobi own goal brought Blackpool level two minutes into the second half. Nathan Delfouneso then scored twice in as many minutes to seal the win for Blackpool. 16-year-old Tony Weston made his professional debut for the Seasiders as a substitute one minute before the end of normal time.[46]

On 7 December, Fleetwood Town made the eight-mile journey south for the Fylde Coast derby. Liam Feeney put Blackpool ahead on 11 minutes with not only his first goal for the club but his first in two years. A Sullay Kaikai free-kick doubled their lead two minutes into the second half. Armand Gnanduillet scored his 13th goal of the season on 65 minutes. Substitute Conor McAleny pulled one back for the Fishermen with ten minutes of normal time remaining. Blackpool climbed to fourth in the table with the three points.[47]

Seven days later, Blackpool travelled to Sunderland. Matty Virtue put the Tangerines in the lead on four minutes. Charlie Wyke equalised for Phil Parkinson's men on 37 minutes. Blackpool dropped one place to fifth with the draw.[48]

On 21 December, Blackpool hosted Shrewsbury Town. Fejiri Okenabirhie's penalty on 56 minutes separated the sides. Blackpool dropped two places to seventh with the defeat.[49]

A Boxing Day fixture against Accrington Stanley at Bloomfield Road ended with the visitors taking home the three points after Sean McConville scored the only goal of the game one minute into stoppage time. Jack Sims made his first-team debut for the Seasiders after coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Jak Alnwick. A second-consecutive home loss, Blackpool dropped to tenth, their lowest placing of the season thus far.[50]

Tranmere Rovers, managed by former Blackpool midfielder Micky Mellon, welcomed the Tangerines on 29 December. Mark Howard made his first league appearance for the club in nine months, having recovered from injury. Ben Heneghan put the visitors ahead on ten minutes. Morgan Ferrier equalised just before half time. Blackpool remained tenth with the point.[51]

On New Year's Day, Blackpool travelled to Rotherham United. They lost 2–1, with Armand Gnanduillet netting their goal. Their third defeat in four league games, Blackpool remained in tenth place.[52] The club had made two new signings in the previous few days: midfielder Grant Ward, who was unattached after leaving Ipswich Town, and defender Jordan Thorniley, from Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.

On 4 January, Blackpool faced Reading at the Madejski Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup. Nathan Delfouneso put Blackpool ahead just before the half-hour. Sam Baldock equalised for the Royals eleven minutes into the second half. Armand Gnanduillet put the visitors ahead again four minutes later, only for Danny Loader to restore parity. Gnanduillet had the chance to put Blackpool ahead again, but his chipped penalty hit the crossbar.[53]

Ryan Hardie joined Plymouth Argyle on loan on 9 January.

Reading won the FA Cup third-round replay 2–0 at Bloomfield Road on 14 January. After being omitted from Reading's squad in the original fixture, Charlie Adam came on as an injury-time substitute to face his former club for the first time since leaving in 2011. It was the hosts' fourth defeat in six matches.[54]

Blackpool made several transfers the following week. Forward Gary Madine, a free agent after being released by Cardiff City earlier in the month, returned to the club on a permanent basis. He was there on loan in 2015. Also incoming, midfielder Connor Ronan joined on loan from Wolves. Left-back Nick Anderton joined Carlisle United, while midfielder Jordan Thompson signed for Stoke City, both for undisclosed fees. Forward Rowan Roache was released. Going out on loan were goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi to Morecambe, forward Adi Yussuf to Boreham Wood and defender Michael Nottingham to Crewe Alexandra. Ben Heneghan's loan from Sheffield United, meanwhile, was extended until the end of the season.

On 18 January, Blackpool returned to league duty with a visit to Lincoln City. They lost by a single goal, dropping to 15th place in the table.[55]

On 24 January, goalkeeper Chris Maxwell joined on a free transfer, having had his contract with Preston North End cancelled by mutual consent.

The following day, James Husband made his move from Norwich City a permanent one.

On 28 January, Blackpool travelled to Wycombe Wanderers. They went two down inside the first ten minutes. New loan signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored on his debut to pull one back late on.[56]

The month was closed out with several incomings and outgoings in the transfer market. Arriving at Bloomfield Road were right-back Teddy Howe (from Reading) and midfielder Ben Garrity (from Warrington Town) on permanent contracts, while centre-back Taylor Moore joined on loan from Bristol City until the end of the season. Out went Ben Tollitt (released), Callum Guy (to Carlisle United) and Curtis Tilt (to Rotherham United).

On 1 February, Blackpool faced Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium, their fifth-consecutive away league match. Gary Madine put the Tangerines ahead on ten minutes, but a double from Marcus Browne before the end of the first half gave the hosts the three points.[57]

Seven days later, Blackpool procured their first victory in ten matches, 2–1 at home to Sol Campbell's Southend United. Armand Gnanduillet scored both for the hosts, bringing his tally for the season to 17 goals in all competitions.[58]

On 11 February, Gillingham made the long midweek trip to Bloomfield Road, where they were 3–2 victors. Armand Gnanduillet put Blackpool ahead on seven minutes, a lead they held for over an hour, until John Akinde levelled matters in the 73rd minute. Regan Charles-Cook put the visitors ahead three minutes later, before substitute Nathan Delfouneso restored parity one minute into stoppage time. Four minutes later, however, Brandon Hanlan scored the winner.[59] Blackpool had now lost eight of their last eleven matches. Simon Grayson was sacked the following day,[60] and David Dunn was put in temporary charge.

Bristol Rovers hosted Blackpool on 15 February. Gary Madine put the Tangerines in front on two minutes. Two minutes before the break, Ben Heneghan was given a straight red card. Alfie Kilgour brought Rovers level on 73 minutes, before Josh Ginnelly scored the winner for the hosts six minutes from the end of normal time.[61] Their eighth defeat in ten league games, Blackpool dropped to 16th place, their lowest placing of the season thus far.

On 22 February, Blackpool returned from a trip to AFC Wimbledon with a point after a goalless draw.[62]

Three days later, the Tangerines hosted Bolton Wanderers. Connor Ronan scored his first goal for Blackpool on 13 minutes. Kean Bryan equalised for the visitor on 88 minutes, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netted his second goal for the club in the final minute of normal time. Blackpool climbed two places to 14th with the victory.[63]

Blackpool, unchanged for the third straight match, closed out February with a second-consecutive victory, against Ipswich Town at Bloomfield Road, and again the winner came in the final minutes. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored his third goal for the club on 26 minutes. Freddie Sears levelled for the visitors nine minutes into the second half. Substitute Joe Nuttall scored his second League goal of the campaign three minutes into added time; his first came in the reverse fixture at Portman Road. Blackpool climbed one place to 13th with the three points.[64]

On 2 March, Blackpool appointed Neil Critchley as Simon Grayson's full-time replacement, in a head coach capacity – a first for the club. He left his role as Liverpool's under-23s manager to move to Bloomfield Road.[65]

Critchley's first match in charge was the Fylde Coast derby, at Fleetwood on 7 March, which finished goalless.[66]

Three days later, Blackpool hosted Tranmere Rovers. Micky Mellon's team were 2–0 up at half-time. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with his fourth goal for the club, pulled one back in the second half. Blackpool remained in thirteenth place in the table.[67]

On 13 March, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EFL suspended all competitions until at least 3 April.[68] Three Blackpool fixtures were affected: Sunderland (H; 14 March), Shrewsbury (A; 21 March) and Peterborough (A; 29 March). The home fixture against Burton on 4 April would be the first fixture they could play.[69] On 9 June, clubs voted to curtail the season, meaning the final table would be calculated by a points-per-game method with the play-offs being played as normal.[70] Blackpool finished in thirteenth position.

Blackpool v Bristol Rovers

3 August 2019 (2019-08-03) 1	Blackpool	2–0	Bristol Rovers	Blackpool
15:00 BST	Spearing 28' (pen.) Gnanduillet 46' Turton  65'	Report	Smith  72'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 11,359 Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Southend United v Blackpool

10 August 2019 (2019-08-10) 2	Southend United	1–3	Blackpool	Southend-on-Sea
15:00 BST	Ralph  8' Cox 75'	Report	Lennon (o.g.) 9' Delfouneso 12', 37' Husband  60' Gnanduillet  82'	Stadium: Roots Hall Attendance: 6,823 Referee: Kevin Johnson

Blackpool v Oxford United

17 August 2019 (2019-08-17) 3	Blackpool	2–1	Oxford United	Blackpool
15:00 BST	Edwards 5' Gnanduillet 45+2' Thompson  60' Alnwick  62' Tilt  89'	Report	Rodriguez  43' Mousinho  45+1' Ruffels 45+4' Hall  82' Moore  90+5'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,104 Referee: Darren Drysdale

Gillingham v Blackpool

20 August 2019 (2019-08-20) 4	Gillingham	2–2	Blackpool	Gillingham
19:45 BST	Jakubiak 9', 37'	Report	Kaikai 41' Gnanduillet 45+3' Bushiri  59'	Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 4,390 Referee: Neil Hair

Rochdale v Blackpool

24 August 2019 (2019-08-24) 5	Rochdale	0–0	Blackpool	Spotland
15:00 BST	O'Connell  86'	Report	Nuttall  62'	Stadium: Crown Oil Arena Attendance: 4,664 Referee: Carl Boyeson

Blackpool v Portsmouth

31 August 2019 (2019-08-31) 6	Blackpool	1–1	Portsmouth	Blackpool
15:00 BST	Edwards  34' Gnanduillet 58' Spearing  73'	Report	Harness 17' McCrorie  22' Haunstrup  76'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,605 Referee: Chris Sarginson

Coventry City v Blackpool

7 September 2019 (2019-09-07) 7	Coventry City	3–2	Blackpool	Bordesley
15:00 BST	Godden 41' Jobello 45+1' Dabo  57' O'Hare 90+1'	Report	Kaikai 2', 38' Delfouneso  80'	Stadium: St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium Attendance: 6,637 Referee: Paul Marsden

Blackpool v Milton Keynes Dons

14 September 2019 (2019-09-14) 8	Blackpool	0–3	Milton Keynes Dons	Blackpool
15:00 BST		Report	Martin 5' Houghton 62' Kasumu 75' Nombe  78'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8,283 Referee: Andy Haines

Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool

17 September 2019 (2019-09-17) 9	Doncaster Rovers	0–1	Blackpool	Doncaster
19:45 BST		Report	Thompson  75' Gnanduillet 90+3'	Stadium: The Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 6,964 Referee: Anthony Coggins

Accrington Stanley v Blackpool

21 September 2019 (2019-09-21) 10	Accrington Stanley	1–1	Blackpool	Accrington
15:00 BST	Tilt (o.g.) 16' Opoku  21' Finley  63' Sykes  80'	Report	Turton  74' Virtue 90+2' Nuttall  90+6'	Stadium: Wham Stadium Attendance: 4,054 Referee: John Brooks

Blackpool v Lincoln City

27 September 2019 (2019-09-27) 11	Blackpool	2–1	Lincoln City	Blackpool
19:45 BST	Scannell 11' Thompson 21' Heneghan  45' Turton  65' Tilt  79' Spearing  81' Macdonald  84'	Report	Payne 24' Connolly  89'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,203 Referee: Oliver Yates

Bolton Wanderers v Blackpool

7 October 2019 (2019-10-07) 12	Bolton Wanderers	0–0	Blackpool	Horwich
20:00 BST	Verlinden  44'	Report	Heneghan  45'	Stadium: University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 14,003 Referee: John Busby

Blackpool v Rotherham United

12 October 2019 (2019-10-12) 13	Blackpool	1–2	Rotherham United	Blackpool
15:00 BST	Scannell  10' Feeney  49' Guy  85' Heneghan  90+5' Virtue  90+8' Gnanduillet 90+9' (pen.)	Report	Smith 51' Olosunde 58' Robertson 87' Ogbene  90+1' Clarke  90+8' Iversen  90+9'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,932 Referee: Christopher Pollard

Blackpool v Wycombe Wanderers

22 October 2019 (2019-10-22) 14	Blackpool	1–1	Wycombe Wanderers	Blackpool
19:45 BST	Heneghan 51',  66' Husband  68'	Report	Kashket 8' Jacobson  90'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 7,298 Referee: Ben Toner

Burton Albion v Blackpool

26 October 2019 (2019-10-26) 15	Burton Albion	0–0	Blackpool	Burton upon Trent
15:00 BST		Report	Tilt  3'  57'	Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 3,012 Referee: Carl Boyeson

Blackpool v Peterborough United

2 November 2019 (2019-11-02) 16	Blackpool	4–3	Peterborough United	Blackpool
15:00 BST	Mason (o.g.) 27' Spearing  37' Gnanduillet 41', 47' (pen.) Butler (o.g.) 74'	Report	Eisa 13' Dan Butler  21' Toney 45' Maddison 71' (pen.)	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 7,619 Referee: James Oldham

Blackpool v AFC Wimbledon

16 November 2019 (2019-11-16) 17	Blackpool	2–0	AFC Wimbledon	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Gnanduillet 51', 81'	Report	O'Neill  28' Pigott  41'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 7,588 Referee: Andy Haines

Ipswich Town v Blackpool

23 November 2019 (2019-11-23) 18	Ipswich Town	2–2	Blackpool	Ipswich
15:00 GMT	Edwards 8' Garbutt 58' (pen.)	Report	Nuttall 22' Spearing 53' (pen.),  90' Edwards  69'	Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 19,503 Referee: Steve Martin

Blackpool v Fleetwood Town

7 December 2019 (2019-12-07) 19	Blackpool	3–1	Fleetwood Town	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Feeney 11' Heneghan  15' Kaikai 47' Edwards  59' Gnanduillet 65',  83' Husband  90+9'	Report	Dempsey  13' Sowerby  40' McAleny 80'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,355 Referee: Antony Coggins

Sunderland v Blackpool

14 December 2019 (2019-12-14) 20	Sunderland	1–1	Blackpool	Sunderland
15:00 GMT	Wyke 37' Dobson  45+3'  74' Flanagan  59'	Report	Virtue 4' Gnanduillet  45+3' Tilt  82'	Stadium: Stadium of Light Attendance: 30,595 Referee: Ollie Yates

Blackpool v Shrewsbury Town

21 December 2019 (2019-12-21) 21	Blackpool	0–1	Shrewsbury Town	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Virtue  60' Spearing  66'	Report	Landell  20' Love  54' Okenabirhie 56' (pen.) Golbourne  85'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 7,695 Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Blackpool v Accrington Stanley

26 December 2019 (2019-12-26) 22	Blackpool	0–1	Accrington Stanley	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Thompson  13' Spearing  80'	Report	Finley  13' Barclay  50' McConville 90+1',  90+1'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,517 Referee: Michael Salisbury

Tranmere Rovers v Blackpool

29 December 2019 (2019-12-29) 23	Tranmere Rovers	1–1	Blackpool	Birkenhead
15:00 GMT	Ferrier 43'	Report	Heneghan 10' Husband  26' Edwards  38' Turton  63' Spearing  85'	Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 8,487 Referee: Tom Nield

Rotherham United v Blackpool

1 January 2020 (2020-01-01) 24	Rotherham United	2–1	Blackpool	Rotherham
15:00 GMT	Smith 21' Barlaser 85' Crooks  90+2'	Report	Gnanduillet 34' Virtue  71' Spearing  84' Husband  90+3'	Stadium: New York Stadium Attendance: 8,689 Referee: James Adcock

Lincoln City v Blackpool

18 January 2020 (2020-01-18) 25	Lincoln City	1–0	Blackpool	Lincoln
15:00 GMT	Melbourne  62' John-Jules 64'	Report		Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 8,929 Referee: Ollie Yates

Wycombe Wanderers v Blackpool

28 January 2020 (2020-01-28) 26	Wycombe Wanderers	2–1	Blackpool	High Wycombe
20:50 GMT1	Freeman 5' Samuel 9'	Report	Heneghan  67' Dewsbury-Hall 86'	Stadium: Adams Park Referee: Trevor Kettle

Oxford United v Blackpool

1 February 2020 (2020-02-01) 27	Oxford United	2–1	Blackpool	Oxford
15:00 GMT	Browne 18', 40' Brannagan  36' Gorrin  53'	Report	Thorniley  1' Madine 10' Bola  36'	Stadium: Kassam Stadium Attendance: 10,525 Referee: Josh Smith

Blackpool v Southend United

8 February 2020 (2020-02-08) 28	Blackpool	2–1	Southend United	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Gnanduillet 37', 64' (pen.)	Report	McLaughlin 72',  90'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 7,870 Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Blackpool v Gillingham

11 February 2020 (2020-02-11) 29	Blackpool	2–3	Gillingham	Blackpool
19:45 GMT	Gnanduillet 7' Ronan  24' Delfouneso 90+1'	Report	O'Keefe  59' Akinde 73' Charles-Cook 76' Hanlan 90+4'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 6,816 Referee: Darren Handley

Bristol Rovers v Blackpool

15 February 2020 (2020-02-15) 30	Bristol Rovers	2–1	Blackpool	Horfield
15:00 GMT	Upson  54' Kilgour 73' Ginnelly 84'	Report	Madine 2' Husband  30' Heneghan  43'	Stadium: Memorial Stadium Referee: Brett Huxtable

AFC Wimbledon v Blackpool

22 February 2020 (2020-02-22) 31	AFC Wimbledon	0–0	Blackpool	Kingston upon Thames
15:00 GMT		Report	Dewsbury-Hall  50'	Stadium: Kingsmeadow Attendance: 4,593 Referee: Neil Hair

Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers

25 February 2020 (2020-02-25) 32	Blackpool	2–1	Bolton Wanderers	Blackpool
19:45 GMT	Ronan 13' Husband  74' Dewsbury-Hall 90'	Report	Hamilton  32' Murphy  66' Bryan 88'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8,116 Referee: Paul Marsden

Blackpool v Ipswich Town

29 February 2020 (2020-02-29) 33	Blackpool	2–1	Ipswich Town	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Dewsbury-Hall 26',  81' Macdonald  86' Nuttall 90+3',  90+3'	Report	Sears 54' Downes  59'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 9,500 Referee: Chris Sarginson

Fleetwood Town v Blackpool

7 March 2020 (2020-03-07) 34	Fleetwood Town	0–0	Blackpool	Fleetwood
15:00 GMT		Report	Husband  64' Virtue  80'	Stadium: Highbury Stadium Attendance: 4,884 Referee: John Busby

Blackpool v Tranmere Rovers

10 March 2020 (2020-03-10) (rescheduled from 25 January)2 35	Blackpool	1–2	Tranmere Rovers	Blackpool
15:00 GMT	Virtue  32' Dewsbury-Hall 58' Macdonald  74'	Report	Woodyard  24' Ferrier 37' Vaughan 45+1'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8,235 Referee: Seb Stockbridge

^1 – Delayed due to medical emergency[56]
^2 – Fixture was postponed due to Tranmere's FA Cup progression.[72]
^3 – Season was suspended until 3 April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[73]
^4 – On 3 April, the English Football League decided to postpone all football until safe to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[74]

The first-round draw was made on 20 June.[75]

Blackpool v Macclesfield Town

13 August 2019 (2019-08-13) 1	Blackpool	2–2 (2–4 p)	Macclesfield Town	Blackpool
19:45 BST	Bushiri  21' Turton 31' Spearing  65' Gnanduillet 90' (pen.)	Report	Bushiri 39' (o.g.) Gomis 65',  92' Archibald  72' Kirby  74'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 3,715 Referee: Martin Coy
	Penalties
	Pritchard Kaikai Delfouneso Thompson		Horsfall Archibald Osadebe Clarke Evans

On 9 July 2019, the pre-determined group stage draw was announced with invited clubs to be drawn on 12 July 2019.[76] Blackpool were drawn in Northern Group G. They finished top after their three matches. The draw for the second round was made on 16 November 2019 live on Sky Sports.[77]

Blackpool v Morecambe

3 September 2019 (2019-09-03) Group stage Northern Group G	Blackpool	5–1	Morecambe	Blackpool
19:30 BST	Heneghan 4' Nottingham 45+1' Hardie 51' Kaikai 89' Nuttall 90+1'	Report	Ellison 22' Sutton  84'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 2,219 Referee: Marc Edwards

Carlisle United v Blackpool

15 October 2019 (2019-10-15) Group stage Northern Group G	Carlisle United	2–1	Blackpool	Carlisle
19:45 BST	Mellish  38' Loft 45+2' Carroll  69' Carroll 87'	Report	Gray 25' (o.g.) Spearing  74'	Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 911 Referee: Darren Handley

Blackpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21

5 November 2019 (2019-11-05) Group stage Northern Group G	Blackpool	1–0	Wolverhampton Wanderers U21	Blackpool
19:45 GMT	Hardie  72' Gnanduillet  89' Guy  90' Bushiri 90+3',  90+3'	Report		Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 1,036 Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Blackpool v Scunthorpe United

27 November 2019 2	Blackpool	1–3	Scunthorpe United	Blackpool
19:45 GMT	Scannell  47' Nuttall 70' Guy  19'  73' Thompson  88'	Report	van Veen 12'  30' Eisa 25', 90'	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Referee: Ben Toner