The ongoing animosity between Blackpool and Preston North End fans has resurfaced in the form of another stunt, but this time in the surprisingly sedate setting of the Countdown television studio. Viewers of the Channel 4 show were given 'PNECRISIS' to solve as the show-closing conundrum – and it was no coincidence.
A producer on the show, who happens to be an ardent Blackpool fan, rigged the nine-letter teaser to poke further fun at Preston supporters, who were incensed after their Lancashire rivals flew banners over Deepdale mocking the club during the final game of the season after relegation into League One.
Preston fans started the trend of pranks last season by hanging a banner saying "forever in our shadow" on the M55 motorway, which links the two towns, as Blackpool's supporters made their way to Wembley for the Championship play-off final with Cardiff City.
North End did not take the Blackpool flyover very well with Phil Brown, the manager, calling it "distasteful" and saying: "If I had a gun I would have shot the plane down." But the club has reacted to the Countdown stunt in better humour.
"We can see the funny side of the joke and accept that with any setback you will always have opposition supporters ready to poke fun," they said in a statement.
"If this is the handiwork of somebody who supports a rival, then we will begrudgingly accept that it's a novel way of trying to do so. Most of the jibes are water off a duck's back to our supporters who are purchasing season tickets as we look forward to a hopefully successful season."
A Channel 4 statement said: "One of the members of the production team is a life-long Blackpool fan and it was intended to be friendly banter, all done in good humour."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/12/blackpool-fans-mock-preston-countdownAnd if you're still wondering what the answer to the conundrum was:
[spoiler]"PRICINESS".
[/spoiler]
“If I had a gun I would have shot them down” says Preston manager Phil Brown as rival Blackpool plane taunts relegation
Preston North End manager Phil Brown acted angrily stating “If I had a gun, I would have shot them down” after Blackpool fans sent a plane over Deedpale mocking Preston’s relegation.
Preston gave their trusty Deepdale fans something to smile about in their final game despite a dreadful season after goals from Nicholson, Hume and Proctor secured a 3 – 1 win.
The win meant North End did not finish bottom after leapfrogging Scunthorpe and Sheffield United into 22nd place.
But during the win against Watford, rival Blackpool fans sent a plane over the top of Deepdale mocking North End’s relegation to league one with a banner stating “We are superior love Blackpool FC".
Later in the match, the plane reappeared with another banner saying: “Poor little Preston enjoy League One.”
Preston North End manager Phil Brown reacted angrily, saying:
“If I had had a gun I would have shot them down.
"Arrest me now if you want. I found it very distasteful.
“Maybe I will be flying the Preston plane when it comes to the end of the season.”
http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/preston-north-end-fc/129414-“if-i-had-a-gun-i-would-have-shot-them-down”-says-preston-manager-phil-brown-as-rival-blackpool-plane-taunts-relegation.html
