13 Jul 2010Blackpool match switched to DW Stadium

Football Clubs News | Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

English Premier League chiefs have announced that newly-promoted Blackpool will play their opening top-flight fixture at Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium while work on Bloomfield Road is completed.

Blackpool admitted that construction work on the ground's east stand may not be finished in time for the big kick-off at home to Wigan Athletic on August 14th 2010, leaving league bosses with no choice but to rearrange the tie.

"This is the only Blackpool FC fixture that will be affected and this decision will give both clubs and their supporters maximum time to plan accordingly," the English Premier League explained in a statement.

Concerns had been raised about the fitness of Bloomfield Road after Ian Holloway's team sealed their promotion in May, with its capacity of just 12,000 judged to be insufficient by the English Premier League.

Last month, chairman Karl Oyston told BBC Radio Lancashire the existing east stand will be replaced by a new structure which will seat an extra 5,000 football fans.

Written by Paul Roberts

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