STUART McCall admits it has been sad to see Blackpool go through off-field problems but was pleased to see them bounce back on the pitch last season.

The Tangerines hold some affection in his family after his dad Andy used to play for them.

Blackpool arrive at Valley Parade tomorrow having won the League Two play-off final under boss Gary Bowyer (pictured) despite continuing disruption off the field.

Many fans remain at odds with the way the club is being run by the Oyston family, with little more than 5,000 attending the final at Wembley when Blackpool beat Exeter.

McCall said of that situation: “It’s sad to see. They are a club who my dad used to play for in the 1950s with Matthews and Mortensen, so it is a club that means a lot to our family and we always look out for their result.

“My dad had good times there – it is always sad to see any club going through off-the-field problems, especially for the fans.

“I watched back the play-off final at Wembley and it was good to see the fans who have stuck with them get rewarded.

“All the players and management can do is focus on what goes on on the pitch. They did that superbly well last season.

“Any team that comes having been promoted will come in a confident vein. They won a lot of games last season and had a lot of highs.”

Blackpool will have to do without midfielder Brad Potts, who scored the first goal in the Seasiders’ 2-1 final win over Exeter, as he became the 11th player to leave this summer after sealing a move to Barnsley.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's clash, boss Bowyer said: “We’ve got a fantastic fixture to look forward to against a team that were 90 minutes away from being a Championship club.

“We’re aware of the challenge that lies ahead for us on that one.

“It’s a great introduction to League One football again for us.”

Among Blackpool’s ranks is former Bantams loan striker Mark Cullen, who has scored six goals in three games during pre-season.