A Lancashire football club have taken a light-hearted jab at one of their local rivals ahead of Non-League Day.
Non-League Day is an annual part of the football calendar backed by Premier League and EFL clubs which provides a platform for non-league clubs to promote the affordable, volunteer-led, community side of the game.
It coincides with the March international break each year, when Premier League and Championship games are halted to allow players from those clubs to represent their nations.
ย
With the first-team not having a fixture tomorrow, why not take a trip to one of the smaller, local sides on #NonLeagueDay!
โ Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) March 24, 2023
๐ธ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ v Prestwich Heys
๐ธ Garstang v ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค๐ฉ๐จ๐จ๐ฅ (Tonight)
๐ธ ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง v Lincoln City
๐ #UTMP pic.twitter.com/X4EFGL81so
It has become common for those clubs that are not playing to promote non-league fixtures in their community so their fans can still get their football fix whilst showing support for clubs who in many cases rely on fan income each week to survive.
Blackpool FC did just this, posting three fixtures on their Twitter page that fans of the Seasiders could watch instead this weekend.
Squires Gate will be hosting Prestwich Heys tomorrow while AFC Blackpool travel to Garstang tonight, but the club also included local rivals Fleetwood Town in the list, who play in League One โ effectively calling them a small club with non-league status.
ย
๐ค No picking sides hereโฆ
โ Squires Gate FC (@squiresgatefc) March 24, 2023
โฝ๏ธ Proper non-league football IS at your doorstep tomorrow afternoon, as we host @PrestwichHeysFC at The Brian Addison Stadium, FY4 5DS.
๐บ Free drink with entry, affordable admission and an award-winning programme, whatโs not to like?!
๐ท #WeAreGate pic.twitter.com/0yj8LxBwU0
The two clubs share a rivalry with each other given their close proximity, with the two grounds being separated by just under nine miles.
While Fleetwood have spent much of their history as a non-league side, the Cod Army have been part of the Football League for more than 10 years, with much of that spent in League One.
They are currently holding their own in the division too, sitting in the top half of the table well away from relegation under head coach Scott Brown, who is enjoying a great first season in the position.
Blackpool, meanwhile, are looking likely to be joining Fleetwood in League One next season. They currently sit second from bottom in the Championship, four points adrift of safety and with just one win in their last five games.
It begs the question as to why they would risk the Tweet given the likelihood of the two meeting in regular league competition next season.
While many Twitter users saw the funny side and assumed it was just โbanterโ between the two rivals, others took Fleetwoodโs side and seemed confused by Blackpoolโs tweet.
ย
Imagine being 23rd in your league and trying to roast your rivals who are sat safely in the league you're about to get relegated to, by inferring they're a non-league team.
โ Chris Williams (@chrwil82) March 24, 2023
Unbelievably tinpot. https://t.co/vA6PaE8EKR
One user said: โImagine being 23rd in your league and trying to roast your rivals who are sat safely in the league you're about to get relegated to, by inferring they're a non-league team. Unbelievably tinpot.โ
ย
Funny until you realise theyโll be in the same league next season ๐คฆโโ๏ธ https://t.co/FN4uN4lBxx
โ Jody Morrisโ L2 Tour (@callex03) March 24, 2023
Another added: โFunny until you realise theyโll be in the same league next season.โ
ย
No worries lads, see you in League One next season ๐ https://t.co/pMNi7Aza3j
โ Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) March 24, 2023
Fleetwood themselves responded to the jab, saying: โNo worries lads, see you in League One next season.โ
Non-League matches featuring East Lancs teams this weekend
ย
Curzon Ashton v Chorley (National League North)
Barnoldswick Town v Longridge Town (North West Counties Premier)
Winsford United v Padiham (North West Counties Premier)
Daisy Hill v Bacup Borough (North West Counties First Division North)
Nelson v Ilkley Town (North West Counties First Division North)
Runcorn Linnets v Clitheroe (Northern Premier League West)
Bootle v Colne (Northern Premier League West)
ย
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here