Coaches of Blackpool’s free FA Cup match for fans “a fantastic gesture”

A lifelong Blackpool fan is paying for free coaches for fellow supporters to make a 560-mile (901 km) round trip to watch the Tangerines play Ipswich Town in the FA Cup third round.

Businessman Steve Richardson, 65, offered fans the opportunity just before Christmas for the match on January 10, and said he got an “overwhelming” response.

“We run 18 coaches and people are constantly reaching out to us,” said Richardson, whose company TreadTracker sponsors the team’s equipment.

Blackpool Supporter’s Trust described the gesture as a “true fairytale fairy tale.”

He said: “Like all fans, I thought this was the worst possible draw especially so soon after Christmas – who can afford this trip?”

Then he added: “I thought to myself: I can afford it, so why not do it?”

Although he also said: “I think our recent results have made more people think about going to Ipswich.

“There is a real buzz among the fans just like in the days when we got to the Premier League.

“Whatever the outcome, people will enjoy their day out.”

Christine Seddon of Blackpool Supporters Trust praised Mr Richardson.

“This extremely generous initiative from Stephen Richardson and Treadtracker made an impossible journey possible,” she said.

She added: “So many fans have been excluded from football, especially those with young families, it is a real fairy tale.

“A real sense of unity and optimism has been ignited and words cannot express how much we appreciate that.”