Blackpool brought their transfer window to an end this evening with a signing that arguably was electric.
Despite this year’s window closing at 7pm, Blackpool’s official X account teased their 13th and final signing of the window with a post captioned “01.09.25. 8pm.”, with a photo attached stating “one more”. The Oasis style of the post has led to rumours that it was heralding the return of a former fan favourite to Bloomfield Road.
Although Blackpool have added a winger to their ranks already today with the arrival of Scott Banks from German side FC St. Pauli, the post did signal the signing of forgotten Nottingham Forest man Josh Bowler, who joined the Reds from the Seasiders on this day three years ago.
He’s Electric
The rumour stems from the Oasis logo included in the graphic, which could potentially be a hint towards a chant Bowler was previously serenaded with by the tangerine faithful.
Rather inventively, “He’s electric”, a repurposed version of the Manchester band’s 1995 “She’s electric”, referenced the tricky winger’s skills and ability, as well as his long hair and white boots, all of which combined to make Bowler a bit of a maverick on the Fylde Coast.
After just a season with Blackpool Bowler departed Bloomfield Road in 2022, but made a lasting impact on Seasiders fans, with his dribbling and ability to change games in a heartbeat marking him as one of the club’s standout players in their first Championship season in six years.
In the time since Bowler left the club, the 26-year-old’s career has stuttered. Immediately after joining Nottingham Forest he was sent on loan to sister club Olympiacos, before being recalled in January to be sent back to Bloomfield Road. He struggled to find the rhythm that had seen him seven league goals the season before and returned to the City Ground with Blackpool relegated to League One.
Further unfruitful loans to Cardiff City and Blackpool’s arch-rivals Preston North End followed, before he would ultimately end last season at the wrong end of the Championship with Luton Town, his third relegation in two seasons.
Royal Welcome
Bowler had been linked with Blackpool’s EFL League One rivals Reading previously in the window, although nothing seems to have arisen from those links.
Whilst there have be no concrete links to the Seasiders earlier in the window, Blackpool’s transfer business is rarely played out publicly anymore and it would not be a surprise for the club to have had this deal up their sleeve.
However the next few hours pan out, Bowler will ultimately not be playing his football at the City Ground next year. The club announced his departure at 18.45, announcing that Bowler had “left the club following the mutual termination of his contract”.
This announcement puts to an end three years of struggling for Bowler in a Forest shirt, having been plying his trade for the club’s U21s earlier this month.
A Vital Blackpool Move For Bowler
Bowler’s next move is vital for his career, and he will faces a battle At Blackpool. Choosing a career at Bloomfield Road, he will have to work hard for the fans to forgive that PNE loan spell.
Either way, with the ability the winger possesses, this is one of the signings of the League One window, even if it is an hour later.
