Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I work for Blackpool FC Community Trust, and although I'm not from (or live in) Blackpool, the four years that I have worked there has led me to have a really strong affection for the place. Mostly that is because of the people. 

During my time there though, one of the most incredible things that I have witnessed, has involved the football club. When I first joined, there was a real disconnect between the town and the club. However, that has all changed, and the club now has an amazing owner who has invested in the club. And in May, the team got promoted to the Championship. It is huge for the town, and it has been truly special to see the pride that people now have in THEIR team, THEIR town. Because that's the thing with a football team. It is far more than just three points, it is identity, community, hope, pride, despair, but all as a shared experience / collective. For anyone that doesn't know Blackpool, for all the great things it has (it has many!), the town faces some serious challenges, and deprivation is the biggest. Blackpool is the most deprived local authority, has some of the highest rates of early drug deaths, domestic violence, unemployment, in the country, and is a renowned target area for county lines and exploitation. The town has a glorious past and a bright future. It just needs a little bit of TLC right now.

Myself, I've a had a blessed existence, and in my life as a fan and season ticket holder of the mighty Reds, I've been fortunate enough to witness some amazing things. Too many to mention here but football has been very good to me, and some of the best times of my life have been watching my team. Many of my friends are people I have met through football.

The reality is though that for too many people in Blackpool (and elsewhere), watching the team play is a luxury that is just not possible. And for that reason, I am hoping to raise enough money to purchase two season tickets for Blackpool FC for the 2021/22 season, which we, Blackpool FC Community Trust, will then make available to worthy recipients who will be nominated by locally trusted organisations that we have relationships with. These will be partners who are embedded in their communities, which includes us, but also schools, charities, employers - essentially, organisations who know their community. They will then complete a nomination form, which will be reviewed by myself, our Chief Exec, Ashley Hackett, and either one other member of our SLT, or possibly (and preferably) someone from the club. People will not be able to choose games though so those who are successful, will then be notified and offered a game to attend.

Having discussed this with my boss, he has kindly agreed to match whatever I raise, and so I think that £400 will do it. If we manage to raise more, though, we can then buy season tickets for the season after too. In fact, the gaffer has already said that he would like to see us (as an SLT) do this, or something similar, year after year. So who knows where this could end.

Thanks for reading, and if you think this is worthy of sparing a few quid, and you would like to, it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, All.

Jason