So long, farewell, auf wiedersehn...

After 28 years Chris has decided to call it a day and retire from announcing at the match. 28 years is a long time, in fact it's so long that he's was the longest serving announcer in the league before he finally hung up the mic in Saturday's game against Gillingham.



Chris is known around the club by everyone with a friendly face he always has a spare minute to have a quick chat whether you're the chairman or a golden gamble ticket seller.

Apart from delivering the teams and all the goal scorers over the years Chris had also helped to form the Tango junior Seasiders, organise half-time entertainment, fundraising and generally anything to promote the club.

He'll be remember by all for many things, and here is my top 3.

3. - Yeovil F.A. Cup Balloons

A great idea to have hundreds of balloons released from underneath a giant Blackpool shirt when the teams arrived on the pitch, live on Sky Sports too. Unfortunately due to the rain, a lack of wind and no helium in the balloons they didn't move and caused a kick off delay while the balloons were popped.

2. - General gaffs.

Now most of the time you don't pay attention to what the P.A. has to say but these are a few of the ones that I picked up.

"Number 9, Burt Nogin" Instead of Kurt Nogen

"This is racism week" - should have been anti-racism

"Number 5, Micheal Jackson 'Oww' " - Tranmere's famous defender

1.- You scouse git

After a match with Swindon, the then Swindon boss Steve McMahon was using some colourful words before a press conference. With kids and women in the vicinity Chris decided to take matters into his own hands and called the former Liverpool player a 'scouse git'. Chris was ecstatic when Macca was made Pool boss in July 2000.

Chris was presented with several gifts at half time at the match on Saturday and for once was speechless for a few moments.



To see some pictures of the presentation at the Gillingham match click here.