A football fans’ group has defended a regional daily after the club they support accused it of running a “negative headline”.

Blackpool FC has urged supporters to “seek accurate information” from sources other than the town’s daily paper The Gazette in an official statement, claiming it has published “a number of inaccurate and misleading headlines or articles”.

However the Blackpool Supporters Trust has described the move as an “extraordinary” step, accusing the club of a “lack of transparency”.

In July, Gazette football writer Will Watt made a plea to the Football Association urging it to outlaw the practice of clubs banning media organisations, after he was barred from speaking to players and management staff.

The previous month, Will’s colleague Steve Simpson was locked out of a press conference, which was called to announce the appointment of the club’s new manager Neil McDonald.

The statement from Blackpool FC, issued under the headline ‘Clarification’, mentions a “recent negative headline” about young player Bright Osayi-Samuel’s future.

In the piece, The Gazette reported the “starlet” was set to be offered a new contract.

The club’s statement reads: “At a time when Neil McDonald is working to turn the club’s fortunes around, the Blackpool Gazette feels compelled to continue with a number of inaccurate and misleading headlines or articles.

“In a recent column, it was stated in the Gazette that the club was giving ‘preferential treatment’ to media partners in what was ‘basically a pay-as-you-interview scenario’.

“This has not been the case, as highlighted by the interviews the manager has done with eight different media organisations outside of match obligations.

“The club has made clear that it will favour sensible, balanced media alongside those that hold arrangements with The Football League this season.

“It is important that supporters continue to seek accurate information regarding the club on the official website and via other media outlets.”

Blackpool currently lie bottom of the League One table, with many supporters maintaining a boycott of matches.

The club’s controversial owners, the Oyston family, have been embroiled in a battle with supporters in recent years over a perceived lack of investment, with numerous protests taking place.

Recently the club netted off several rows of seating at its Bloomfield Road stadium to prevent pitch invasions after fans took to the turf during the last match of the 2014/15 season against Huddersfield Town, pictured above, forcing its abandonment.

Steve Rowland, chairman of Blackpool Supporters Trust, said: “It’s extraordinary from a Blackpool Supporters Trust and fans’ point of view that the club should be taking this step and not giving the local paper full access to what’s going on at the club.

“I think the fans are wise enough to know the score of what’s going on at Blackpool.

“There are two sides to every story. The football club are determined to put their own spin on things, it’s their prerogative, but they’ve taken exception to The Gazette.

“It beggars belief the local paper shouldn’t be allowed access to what’s going on and reinforces fans’ frustration at the lack of transparency at the football club.”

In a piece published on The Gazette’s website today, Will wrote: “When the club, team and manager give us something positive to talk about, we will be more than happy to do so.

“Personally I’m desperate for a change of fortunes for the Seasiders, the sooner the better.”