The Jimmy Armfield stand opens.

The long awaited Jimmy Armfield South Stand was unveiled last night for the Seasiders reserve team's game against Rochdale reserves. This was because the local Council's Licensing Authority would not allow the stand to be officially open this coming Saturday unless the stand's safety issues were tested. The club anounced that it needed at least 500 fans to turn up last night so that they could meet the council's request. As a good will gesture the club made the admission free of charge. It also gave the fans the opportunity to see for themselves what the new facilities would be like. In response to the club's request more than 1600 fans turned up, which must have had the right effect, because the Pool's second string ran out 8-1 winners. The scorers were Dobbie 3, Demontagnac, Clarke, Bangura, Evatt and Bannan. It was also good to see the return of referee Mark Halsey, who returned to officiating after successful throat cancer surgery. Although the atmosphere is more subdued at reserve games the fans showed their appreciation throughout the game. At least now the south stand is in operation the away fans will be housed in the North Stand, with any overspill fans using the current "Gene Kelly" east stand. It was nicknamed after the famous song and dance star, because with it having no roof the away fans had to resort to " singing in the rain". Also, with the away fans being housed under cover the noise they make should increase the atmosphere even more. Let's hope Ollie and the boys make Saturday's game against Crystal Palace one to remember, for all the right reasons and that we can make a late surge into the play-off positions.