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'We've got things wrong' - Blackpool senior figures vow to learn from past mistakes to create connection Blackpool senior figures David Downes and Nick Horne have discussed the current ongoings at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool’s senior leadership team are committed to being proactive when it comes to communication and fan engagement. Following the conclusion of last season, there was a reshuffle behind-the-scenes at Bloomfield Road. Sporting director David Downes took the step up to CEO, replacing the outgoing Julian Winter - who had been in the role for three years. Meanwhile, former Head of Football Operations Nick Horne has taken on the new position of Chief Operating Officer. For the latter in particular, being able to shape the future of the Seasiders is an opportunity he is cherishing. “It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of this club,” he said. “The opportunities this club gave me as a young lad, filling my weekends travelling up and down the country, and bringing my family into football - it’s great. “For me, it’s something I can relate to, with what hopefully football should be about and the opportunities it should give to people going forward. “It’s through those experiences in life and football, it gives an opportunity like nothing else when it comes to bringing people together. “Personally, I’m unbelievably proud to be sat here doing this job. I get to come into a great place and call this work. Hopefully, I have an opportunity to make a difference around our town and community. “Ultimately, every football fan wants to feel connected to their club, and it’s our job to drive that. Come Saturday at 3pm, everyone wants to feel like they’re playing their part, and it’s our responsibility through the week that everyone feels connected. “We can engage our supporter base in a number of ways, and we’ve got things in the pipeline to deliver into schools and educate our town on something it should be really proud of. “There’s so much we should do, and so much we should be doing. If we deliver that, then everyone should feel a connection which should lead to us all pulling in the same direction.” Subscribe now for HALF PRICE and catch every minute of our Seasiders coverage this season - from pre-season to the final whistle. Click here CEO Downes agrees with Horne, and is keen to push the club’s communication in order to engage fans and keep them involved. In the past week, a quiz involving both fans and players has taken place alongside an open training session at Bloomfield Road. “It’s something we’re passionate about,” Downes stated. “Communication, fan engagement and connectivity all pulls into one. It’s nice to do events like the open training session. It’s all about family - our families are here, enjoying it like everyone else. “It’s something we’ve got to look to be proactive with throughout the season. “The players were all fantastic participants at the quiz. I could see players still there at 10pm, spending time, and wanting to spend time with people, which is how a club should feel.” In recent years, Downes has been among a number of figures on the Fylde Coast who have come under fire from fans. Responding to this, he said: “Nobody at any club is without criticism. Nobody goes into things not trying to do the best they can do and as well as they can. “We’ve got things wrong at times from a club perspective, but it’s not through the element of not trying to do things right. “Me and Nick now both sit in a chair where we can heavily influence the direction of the club, and bring in things that are important to us. “We won’t get everything right, but there’s the appetite to get things right and for things to be done with the best intentions.” Both performances on the pitch and the overall mood around Blackpool led to owner Simon Sadler issuing an open letter back in March - which prompted a spark both in the stands and on the pitch. Horne admits the club can’t let things get to that stage again. “It’s something we’ve spoken about a lot,” he said. “If we’re doing our communication right, frequently and at the right times - we shouldn’t get to that point. “Simon should come out and say things when it’s positive, not when it’s a time of need. “If we can make some improvements on that front; hopefully we’re not getting to the point where supporters feel like they need some urgent communication from the owner.” On Mr Sadler, it still remains business as usual for the club as he awaits the verdict of the insider trading trial he’s faced in Hong Kong. The Blackpool owner has vigorously denied the charge, and has pleaded not guilty. “It’s been our message all along - it’s business as usual,” Horne stated. “We continue to invest and we continue to improve. It’s what we’ll continue to do throughout.”