Having just written a doom and gloom report about Bury and Bolton, I'm happy to say it's a, "so far, so good," story for Blackpool with its new owner. The fans are back at the ground with over 11,000 at their opening match of the season (the crowds dropped to less than two thousand at the peak of the boycott).
Sadler (the new owner) hasn't said much about his plans, other than he thinks being in the Championship is a reasonable aim on the playing side and that the club needs a big investment in infrastructure.
In particular they need a new training ground - last year they had a muddy field and a portakabin to change in.
Of course, he's only owned the place for a few weeks but the fans say that they can see the money going in, just as they could see it going out. Basic stuff really, like getting the pitches looking good, sprucing up the players dressing rooms, doing the stadium repairs etc. A "stream of white vans" with decorators, electricians, plumbers etc as one of them described it.
There's an interview with Sadler on the BBC site, but this bit is especially nice to see:
"I am fortunate enough to be the custodian of this football club and I want to make sure it is around for future generations so other lads and lasses can come with their mums and dads, like I did with my dad."
Does he mean it? I think so. He's a businessman, he knows what money is, but he also knows what it can do.
"It is going to take time, dedication and hard work - and, above all else, it is going to take money.
"We need to build the infrastructure and build a squad to get us out of League One into the Championship, and to stay there.
"We have to think long term. It would be ridiculous of me to chuck £10m to £20m into the playing squad when we aren't ready for it. That sort of money needs to be invested in training facilities and the like."
The full article is at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49176913