Last season’s top goal scorer and a former captain are reportedly amongst those to be released by Blackpool FC at the end of the current campaign. According to reports from the Blackpool Gazette, both Jordan Rhodes and Ollie Norburn are expected to depart Bloomfield Road at the end of their current contracts.
Last season’s top goal scorer and a former captain are reportedly amongst those to be released by Blackpool FC at the end of the current campaign. According to reports from the Blackpool Gazette, both Jordan Rhodes and Ollie Norburn are expected to depart Bloomfield Road at the end of their current contracts.
Former club captain Norburn, previously of Peterborough United, joined on a permanent transfer in 2023 following a long period of interest from the Seasiders. Despite making 42 appearances in League One for the club, in which time he managed a solitary goal, Norburn’s game time became limited following a hamstring injury earlier in the season.
Upon his recovery, the Grenada international found it hard to break back into the team, owing mainly to the success of a central midfield partnership formed of Lee Evans and Albie Morgan, both of whom top FotMob’s overall player ratings for League One. Speaking about the decision to let Norburn depart, Steve Bruce admitted it is likely he has played his final game for the club.
EFL legend Rhodes netted 15 goals for the club whilst on loan last season, finishing as top scorer and earning himself a permanent deal, but saw opportunities dry up this season as Bruce opted to make Kyle Joseph his main man up top. At times 17-year-old youth team striker Terry Bondo was even preferred over Rhodes, only adding to the Scotsman’s frustrations. Opportunities were mainly limited to appearances off the bench, which Rhodes failed to make the most of, scoring just three goals, none of which were in the league.
In a damning first interview with Mansfield, the former Blackburn Rovers man was less than complimentary of his former club, terming his season as ‘frustrating’ and claiming that “minutes were hard to come by”.
One man the Seasiders will be hoping to keep is attacking midfielder Sonny Carey, who has hit a purple patch of form in recent weeks. Having scored four in his last five games for the club, Steve Bruce has been open about his desire to keep the 24-year-old and has confirmed talks are ongoing around Carey’s contract situation.
Blackpool FC currently find themselves languishing in mid-table with their play-off hopes all but gone. With a big off-season approaching Bruce and his team, there will be some tough calls to make surrounding out of contract players if the Tangerines wish to have a squad that can reach the play-offs next time around.
