Reading FC boss Leam Richardson will lead his Royals team out against his former side this Saturday as they look to move further away from the League One relegation places.
For two years in the early 2000s, Blackpool was home. Richardson pulled on the Tangerine shirt more than 50 times, learning the trade that would eventually carry him into management. Now, as he prepares for his first away match in charge of the Royals, the 44-year-old admits there is something special about heading back to the Fylde Coast.
“It’s a club where I had a good few years,” he told RoyalsTV. “I really enjoyed the people, the place, the football club. I was a young player still learning, and they couldn’t have been more welcoming.”
The reunion doesn’t end with the stadium. In the opposite technical area will be Ian Evatt, once Richardson’s colleague at Chesterfield and now the man tasked with dragging Blackpool away from danger.
With just two league matches under his belt as Reading manager so far, Richardson believes the long journey north offers a valuable insight into the personality of his squad.
“Travelling that far, with a young group and an early kick-off, you lean on your experience,” he said.
“Preparation, nutrition, the mindset, everything has to be right. But ultimately it’s still the same pitch, 11 versus 11, and we want the same energy and intent.”
The new manager says the group is still in its infancy under his guidance.
“We’ve only had 180 league minutes together,” he added. “
We’re still learning the demands we want to put on each other, both defensively and in attack. But it’s a good chance to spend time together, see how we travel, and show the fans, who have been fantastic, what we’re about.”
The Royals haven’t won a league match at Bloomfield road since 2001, when Phil Parkinson and Nicky Forster were among the goals. Their last victory in any competition came four years ago.
Richardson, however, is unmoved.
“You can never affect the history,” he said.
“Tomorrow doesn’t exist. What matters is the present — we’ll turn up, be the best version of ourselves, and go from there.”
Blackpool have shown signs of life since Evatt’s return in October with three wins from six and have started to steady a season that was spiralling under Steve Bruce. Yet Richardson says he won’t be distracted by the hosts’ resurgence.
“We’re concentrating on ourselves, what we have available and the steps we want to take as a team.
“Individually and collectively, it’s about our progression. Every game, we prepare the best we can.”
Reading’s clash at Bloomfield Road kicks off at 12.30pm.
