Stanley pondering friendly options

The Tangerines' first friendly of the summer against Lancaster last Saturday had to be abandoned as supporters breached the pitch in the second half in an act of defiance against unpopular chairman Karl Oyston.

This week Morecambe elected to cancel their July 28 contest with Neil McDonald's side amid fears there could be similar scenes from the travelling contingent, concerns that would have resulted in increased costs for a larger security presence.

Having played Blyth Spartans without any such incident on Tuesday night, Blackpool now only have two more friendlies planned, against St Johnstone and Accrington, and i t is their short trip to Stanley on July 31 that has now come under scrutiny.

It is understood more threats of protests could force the Sky Bet League Two club to reconsider hosting the fixture which occurs eight days before both teams begin their respective Football League campaigns.

Blackpool's last competitive fixture, against Huddersfield in the Championship in May, was also called off because of a pitch invasion at Bloomfield Road and the club have vowed to come down hard on those involved.

In the aftermath of the Morecambe announcement, they said on their official website: "For the avoidance of doubt, the club will not stand by and allow the actions of a minority continue to hamper football being played.

"The club will hand out stadium bans to those involved in pitch invasions to date and pursue civil proceedings for damages, as well as further injunctions to include powers of arrest should anybody under the terms of a banning order attempt to enter the stadium."