The Good: It was 1994, Blackpool were looking for a goal scorer who could score them goals galore and push them to the top of English football again. Down the road at PNE a 30 year old striker, who was in his prime had fell out with then PNE manger John Breck about a manner of things including new contract, his role at club and wearing track suit bottoms. There relationship had hit rock bottom and one of them was going to have to leave.

At this time Blackpool offered £165,000 for his services and he soon made the short drive to Bloomfield Road. His move angered PNE fans, the Deepdale faithful were angry that there star striker had not only fell out with there manager but had signed for there local rivals. “The king of the plastic pitch” had apparently “sold his soul” but Blackpool fans weren’t complaining. They’d signed a natural scorer from there local rivals it couldn’t get any sweeter could it?

‘Pool fans were soon to forgive Ellis for his Bloomfield Road hat-trick of 1989/90 as he went on to score 65 goals in 147 appearance’s for the club. Ensuring a place in Seasiders history and he’ll probably go down as a legend of both clubs. He’s currently the Rochdale Centre of Excellence Manager and scored his last professional goal at Burnley coming on as a sub and scoring “an excellent winner”.

The Bad: There’s a few players who have played for both us and the nobbers who quite frankly you would consider secret agent or a plain simple useless tw*t. One such player is Craig Alladyce. His father in one of the biggest acts of favouritism towards family, signed him. The fact’s are he was useless and Preston were more then happy for us to take him off there hands.  I mean he had been signed by nine club played for seven and only got into double figures in terms of appearances at Mansfield Town.

His one career goal came against Boston United in 2000, The 6ft3 defender was never good enough to compete for either North End or Blackpool. He made one appearance at Blackpool in three years and happily accepted wages. Shocking! He currently works as manager at Turton and was infamously involved in the BBC’s panorama program. Which suggested he had been involved in a bung scandal with payments been made to his father through him.

The Ugly: Well it had to be Brett Ormerod didn’t it. I spent a whole hour asking people in my class there thoughts on just his picture and it generally was he’s ugly. In fact he once featured on that uglyfootballers website. But his footballing ability in the lower league is nothing but ugly. In fact on his day he was one of the best forwards in the premiership, coming alive and scoring a whole flurry of goals during Southamptons amazing FA Cup run.


Ormerod like Ellis has also gone down in derby day history, scoring a last minute winner against Preston at there place in 1998. He ran off kissing the badge and he soon became a Seasiders favourite. But things could have been differently for him if Gary Megson hadn’t have signed him he would have been working in a textiles factory and kicking the ball part time for Accrington Stanley.

However we spent the most worthwhile £20,000 in the clubs history and he went on to become a legend at the seaside scoring 62 goals in 124 starts. He soon went onto play in the big leagues after collecting a play off medal with Blackpool.

After a couple of loan spells away from Southampton (due to his lack of first team football and his desire to move back north. ) He signed for local neighbours PNE in January 2006. But he soon suffered heartbreak as he broke his leg once again. This could of spelt the end of his career, but having recovered from one, he was determined to recover from another and he did. Scoring a goal in his comeback match and it must be the only time pool fans have been happy to see a Preston player score.

He’s that loved there’s no malice towards him as there was with Preston fans against Ellis after his move. It’s a shame he won’t be able to play on Saturday. (He’s out on loan at Forest)  I’m sure if he was to play he’d get a terrific round of applause and would receive none of the traditional Judas nonsense. The reason, he’s just a dead nice guy, a real professional who will always give 100% because he knows he could be working in a textiles factory and realises how lucky he actually is.

Brett! We love you

For the latest upto date discussion on the big derby check out our messageboards at the link below  

http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s608/p12.htm 

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes