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'Who I’m playing for' - Blackpool FC new boy shares driving force as he looks to replicate Exeter City bond Blackpool new boy Ilmari Niskanen discusses the connection he wants to create with fans on the Fylde Coast. Ilmari Niskanen admits having a close bond with the Blackpool faithful will energise him throughout his first season at Bloomfield Road. The wide player is preparing for competitive debut in Tangerine, which is set to come away to Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup on Saturday afternoon, on the back of his move to the Fylde Coast earlier this summer. Despite Exeter City’s relegation from League One last term, the 28-year-old enjoyed an impressive individual campaign, with 14 assists coming his way in all competitions. Alongside his performances on the pitch, Niskanen leaves St James Park with a strong bond with the Grecians due to his off-field approach as well. Subscribe now for HALF PRICE and catch every minute of our Seasiders coverage this season - from pre-season to the final whistle. Click here “I had such a brilliant and enjoyable time at Exeter,” he said. “Being relegated was nowhere near our target, and it was tough to take for everyone, but other than that, I enjoyed it so much. “I managed to build a fantastic connection with the supporters and everyone in and around the club. I met so many fantastic people. It’s really difficult to leave when you care about the club so much. “I want to build the relationships here that I felt in Exeter. I’m sure that’s going to come - it’s been so far so good. “Everyone I’ve met has been so welcoming and so friendly. Of course, the main thing is the performances on the pitch. “We want to do as well as possible during the season, but off the pitch, I want to create those relationships and meet more and more people. I know it’s only going to get more enjoyable.” Niskanen admits his dedication to football comes naturally, and believes it’s crucial to know more about the people he’s going to be representing at Blackpool. “It comes automatically,” he added. “I try to be really kind. I just love chatting to people - it doesn’t matter if it’s here at the stadium or at Tesco. If people want to come and have a chat with me, I love nothing more than that. “It doesn’t have to be about football; it can be about anything. It comes really naturally, and it’s a brilliant way to get to know people. “I want to know who I’m playing for and the people who support us week in, week out, home and away. I want to know those people and where they come from. “That creates the connection and the relationship. It gives me more energy on a matchday, and gives the supporters more energy to chant their brilliant songs.” Even throughout pre-season, Niskanen has put more than a shift in during the Seasiders’ recent friendlies, and enjoyed a quite physical battle with Jordan Gabriel against Port Vale at the weekend. “That’s me as a player in a nutshell,” he added. “It doesn’t matter to me if it’s pre-season or a league game or a cup game - I’m always 100mph, I never give up and I always chase every ball. “I make sure to leave everything on the pitch, as it’s the least every player should do. We are really fortunate to do this as a profession. I love football so much, so when I’m able to do that out there, it gives me so much joy and so much passion to run through brick walls.”