As Squires Gate Secretary Barry Thorpe explains it is the club's improved facilities that have permitted them to make their bow this year and it's a move that has caught the publics attention.

BBC: The Cup's magic returns

But the newly promoted Tangerines, who make their Premier League bow at Wigan on Saturday, announced on Wednesday the capture of Manchester United's Craig Cathcart, Elliot Grandin from CSKA Sofia, Monaco's Malaury Martin and and Ludovic Sylvestre from Czech side Mlada Boleslav.

BBC: Blackpool boss Ian Holloway dismisses quit rumours