A regional daily newspaper has come up with a novel way of ensuring Blackpool manager Paul Ince’s presence is felt when he starts a five-match stadium ban this weekend.
The Blackpool Gazette has teamed up with Blackpool-based Radio Wave to produce 10,000 masks of the Pool boss for supporters to wear for their Sky-televised Championship clash with Wigan Athletic tomorrow.
Masks will be handed out around Bloomfield Road prior to kick-off with fans asked to make a small donation to either The Gazette’s Hospice Heroes appeal or children’s charity, Variety.
Gazette editor Jon Rhodes said the newspaper followed up the idea after it was suggested by fans via message boards, social media and email.
Are you Paul Ince in disguise? The Blackpool Gazette has produced 10,000 masks for this weekend's game
“Paul Ince has proved himself to be a motivational powerhouse in his time as Seasiders’ manager and there is little doubt this ban will hit the Pool team hard,” Jon told HTFP.
“So if the manager can’t be there in person, what better way to lessen the impact than to have 10,000 Paul Inces in the stands?
“We are delighted to hook up with our friends at Radio Wave for something that will lift the spirits of both Pool fans and players – and hopefully see a lot of money raised for two very worthy causes.”
Ince has received a five-game stadium ban from the Football Association after an incident on 14 September when the Seasiders were playing Bournemouth.
During the match, Ince pushed fourth official Mark Pottage and was then sent to the stand for throwing a water bottle to the ground which accidentally hit a female steward in the crowd.
The 45-year-old former England captain has been ordered not to enter a stadium where Blackpool are playing on match days until 30 November when Sheffield Wednesday visit Bloomfield Road.
Paula Davies, station director at Radio Wave, said: “We’re all shocked by the ban and worried about the effect it’s going to have on the team’s performance over the next few weeks.
“So, together with colleagues at The Gazette, we came up with the idea to produce Paul Ince face masks. It’s going to look brilliant with the stands awash with the manager’s face, I can’t wait.
“So, as the teams walk out onto the Bloomfield Road pitch in front of the TV cameras on Saturday, let’s have 10,000 Paul Inces ready to cheer.”
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Amid all the above guff, let’s just remind ourselves that Paul Ince behaved inexcusably at Bournemouth, threatening officials and using X-rated language. He set a dreadful example, brought shame on the club he is supposed to represent in a dignified manner and fully deserved the punishment meted out by the FA..
So, Blackpool Gazette and Radio Wave, instead of spouting populist nonsense such as ‘motivational powerhouse’ and ‘shocked at the ban’, how about recognising your wider moral responsibilities and ditching this silly stunt? Simply donate to charity instead.
Oh, and while you’re at it, let’s hear you condemn Ince and urge him to grow up, as you should have done in the first place.
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Should the local paper be honouring an individual who is reported to have shouted: “I’ll knock you f**king out, you c**t” to a match official?
Had a manager in one of the area’s Sunday leagues said the same to a referee, the Gazette would no doubt be calling him a thug.
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Very fair comments by the first two posters and yes,the paper has gone over the top with the gushing, rather ridiculous words about Paul Ince and his supposed skills as a motivator. Bet the readers love it though….and, er, ahem…isn’t that the point?
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Well done to Blackpool Gazette. They’re not condoning Paul Ince’s behaviour but remaining relevant to their readership – which is the whole point
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What a miserable bunch you all are!
I’m sure The Gazette doesn’t condone Ince’s behaviour, how could they? No regional Editor would try to defend the indefensible.
But this seems to me a perfectly inventive opportunity to raise cash for two charities and give them valuable publicity live on TV.
Go on smile, everybody. Your face may just crack…
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Kendo, it’s nothing to do with ‘honouring’ Paul Ince, it’s a deft move to raise some much-needed funds for charities that desperately need the money.
Yes, the paper and radio station will get some good publicity out of it, but so will the good causes mentioned.
And Ince, who has admitted behaving improperly, absolutely refutes using some of the language mentioned. Read the report into the incident. It’s embarrassing.
That’s the report the FA decided to release days before the game, two weeks after the hearing and a long time after preparations must have been made for the masks to be made.
Wind your necks in.
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A genius comment, Chris. Hey, what if the fans mimic their hero by threatening to beat up the referee? That would make the spectacle complete.
The masks rasied £4,700 for charity. That has to be good.
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