A regional daily sports journalist was locked out of a football club’s press conference held to announce the appointment of a new manager.
Steve Simpson, sports reporter at The Gazette, Blackpool, had the door to the reception of Blackpool FC’s Bloomfield Road stadium locked in front of him when he sought to clarify why an impromptu ban had been dished out.
The Gazette had not been invited to the press conference, called to announce the appointment of Neil McDonald as Blackpool’s new manager, although other media outlets were present.
The Johnston Press-owned title carried a story of the ban from Thursday’s news conference on the back page of Friday’s edition, pictured below. It is currently unclear as to why the newspaper was not invited.
When Steve and photographer Rob Lock turned up at the ground and tried to ascertain whether they would be allowed in, they were told by club media officer Stewart Hudson: “I can’t deal with you.”
Minutes later Steve attempted to get into reception to get an explanation, but the door was locked in front of his eyes by Mr Hudson.
Blackpool have been embroiled in a battle between supporters and controversial owners, the Oyston family, in recent years over a perceived lack of investment in the club, culminating in a pitch invasion during their last game of the 2014/15 season against Huddersfield Town, which resulted in the match being abandoned.
Blackpool finished bottom of the Championship, the second tier of English football, and were relegated to League One as a result.
Will Watt, The Gazette’s regular Blackpool FC writer, took to Twitter to post about the press conference ban.
He wrote: “Sad to report The Gazette were turned away from Neil McDonald’s press conference yesterday. No reason was given by the club.
“We await their explanation, should be interesting. As it stands there’s no suggestion The Gazette are banned, or why we were turned away. Obviously it’s something we want to resolve ASAP.”
Blackpool FC said it would not be commenting on the issue when approached by HTFP.
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Oh dear, talk about getting above your station. Should have tried to infiltrate dressed as a hen do.
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Gazette should wear ban as a badge of pride.
It’s a bit disingenuous of them to present ban as something out of the blue.
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Some of these football clubs really like to throw their weight around with the regional press. Just wait until there are no regional papers left. (due to the devastation being inflicted by our senior managers) Then the football clubs will be whinging about lack of publicity.
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The usual pathetic cycle of press v football club. It’s always about football executives’ ego and mania to control everything. I wouldn’t bother writing another word about them.
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Have to feel sympathy for anyone trying to cover Blackpool FC. The club is the standard bearer for basket case owners.
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