With Blackpool being our opponents this weekend, we've grabbed five minutes with one of their supporters to give us the lowdown on what's happening over their way at the moment.

1. Who are you and how long have you supported Blackpool for?
I am Christine Seddon, spokesperson for Blackpool Supporters' Trust and I have supported Blackpool since I was 5 years old, which is 47 years ago!

2. 2) What makes supporting Blackpool different to supporting any other side?
I think Blackpool has always been a bit "different" to other clubs. Being a seaside resort, we have always had a supporter base made up from visitors from other parts of the country who have settled in Blackpool as well as many "sand grown 'uns" like myself. We have a great history, with the likes of Matthews, Morty and Jimmy Armfield as
past players but have also spent many years in the lower leagues. We are a small club with a big spirit.

3. Okay, let’s cut to the chase, tell us about Oyston (without getting us added to the sued list)
The Oyston family have been a disaster for Blackpool FC and are the epitome of what is wrong with football club ownership in the UK. Back in 1987, Owen Oyston was seen by some as a hero for buying the club (for £1) when it was on the brink of extinction. In the years following, he put money into the club but it's never been clear just how much and it's fair to say that we struggled for many years. Once Owen was convicted of rape and was sent to prison, his son Karl took over as Chairman, following a brief spell when his mother held the reins, and it is fair to say that Karl has no real interest in football and really shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a football club. Although we did get to the Premier League in 2010, this came after some serious investment by Valeri Belokon, a Latvian businessman who invested in the club and was responsible for our climb up the
leagues. Sadly, since that time, the monies earned by Ian Holloway and his team have largely disappeared into other Oyston owned businesses and the club has disintegrated at an alarming rate. Sadly, there is nothing illegal in this. Football clubs are private businesses and owners can do what they want, even destroy them. Although technically
the other Oyston businesses are required to repay Blackpool FC the massive loans they made to themselves, these loans were interest free and unsecured. There is no timescale, so the money is as good as gone and it's all within the law. It's a disgraceful situation which could happen to any club, the way the law stands at the moment.

4. What I’ve struggled to understand is that the Oyston family have been associated with Blackpool for as long as I can remember. Had they been the sort of fly by night owners that we see at clubs, it would make more sense. So why the (apparent) change now?
The Oystons have been around for a long time but have never really wanted to risk any of their own money and some of us feel that this has been more of a toy for Owen than a serious attempt at running/owning a football club. It was Valeri Belokon who was the catalyst for change; the Oystons have benefitted massively from his investment and it is only now that fans can see that they are not interested in the club or putting football first, merely in their own ; the interests. Owen was paid an £11million "bonus" from the Premier League monies - a staggering sum, unheard of in football ownership.

5. Are Blackpool supporters divided over the Oyston issues?
There are very few Blackpool supporters who back the Oystons these days. There is unity insofar as we all want the Oystons to leave. However, the fan base IS divided on how this should be achleieved. Some fans take action by protesting and boycotting,
others just want to watch the football, however bad it is or however badly the owners behave. BST believe very strongly that fans must boycott Oyston businesses and not spend any more money at all, in an attempt to make them leave. We have made a bid for the club but need the fans to play their part by starving them of their oxygen - money - so that they will have no choice other than to sell.The relationship between owners and fans has broken down irretrievably. They have sued some fans for comments and criticism, claiming defamation of character and are in the process of suing even more. The atmosphere last season at home games was toxic. These people have brought shame on the club, the town and themselves. Hardly anyone will go this season - it's incredibly sad.

6.Does the on the field stuff have any relevance at the moment?
For many of us, the on field stuff has little or no relevance. We feel as if we do not have a team at the moment; the manager and players are part of Oyston FC, not Blackpool FC. We, the fans, are Blackpool FC and we are keeping its heart and soul safe until we get our club back.

7. A lot of League One fans have predicted Blackpool for the drop? Is this realistic?
I think an immediate drop into League 2 is a very strong probability. You may know about our Chairman's comments about the disabled via a text exchange with a fan, but he also said many more things about the club and the Blackpool fans. One comment was when he described himself as a never ending revenge mission whose aim was to
take Blackpool down to the Conference. He certainly seems to be on target.

8. Any thoughts or particular memories of ourselves?
There was a memorable game in 2001 when we beat you 3-1 in League 2 - we got into the play offs and went up that year in the final at Cardiff!

9. Putting Dale and Blackpool to one side for a moment, who’s your tips for promotion and relegation from League One this year?
I'm not up to speed with all the teams in League 1 yet; apart from ourselves, I would think Colchester will struggle. As for promotion, I suppose the money will be on then likes of Wigan and Sheff U, but I think you and Fleetwood might surprise some people this season.

10. Any predictions for the game?
Result for Saturday? 1-3, a reverse of that game in 2001!

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