Former Portsmouth, Charlton and Bradford defender sees comeback hopes dashed by League One side

Blackpool have dashed former Pompey defender Tom McIntyre’s hopes of resurrecting his career at Bloomfield Road.

Seasiders boss Ian Evatt has decided against extending the centre-back’s trial with the League One side following his appearance in their pre-season friendly against AFC Fylde.

The free agent played the second half of the July 11 Mill Farm fixture, which was the 27-year-old’s his first match action since a hamstring injury brought a premature end to his short-term stint at Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in March.

However, Evatt has chosen not to pursue a move for McIntyre, whose Fratton Park contract was mutually terminated in February.

Blackpool boss explains McIntyre decision

The decision is the latest blow suffered by McIntyre, since he moved to Fratton Park from Reading in January 2024.

Explaining why the defender, plus fellow triallist Emmanuel Okunowo, was no longer with the club, Evatt told the Blackpool Gazette: ‘The issue we’ve got with these trialists is, they’re coming into a really intense environment and a lot of them haven’t been training with teams prior to coming in.

‘They’re coming into a really intense environment and picking things up because they’re not physically ready to go.

‘It’s not our responsibility to make sure they’re fit; it’s their responsibility. These things happen all of the time, but my focus is making sure we’re ready come the start of the season.

‘We’ve still got three weeks. We’ve got a plan, players returning all of the time, and we’ll have some new recruits by then. There’s nothing to be downbeat about.’

Ahead of his Blackpool trial, McIntyre had been taking part in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s (PFA) pre-season training camp for free agents in an effort to build his fitness and retain his sharpness if and when a club came calling.

McIntyre’s rotten luck since moving to Pompey

The centre-back has endured some rotten luck since departing the Royals for Pompey during the 2024 January transfer window.

He broke his ankle on his debut for the Blues against Northampton with a challenge that also saw him red carded.

The Scot was then thrown straight into the deep end at Fratton Park in September 2024 upon his return as Pompey struggled with injuries in the centre of defence following their return to the Championship.

McIntyre played 10 games in a row upon his comeback but was considered the weak link as John Mousinho’s side struggled for points at the bottom of the table.

He was allowed to join Charlton on loan in January 2025 following Rob Atkinson's move to Fratton Park from Bristol City, before further temporary moves to Bradford and then Aberdeen were arranged.

All three clubs declined the option to hand McIntyre long-term security, hence his current availability on a free transfer.

‘That was my Portsmouth career pretty much done’

Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month about the difficulties he’s faced over the past two years, McIntyre said: ‘I just haven't really settled anywhere, which I've found difficult.

‘I'd been at Reading for a long time, then went to Portsmouth and, in my first game, I broke my ankle, so that was a shocker to start like that when I thought I could really kick on and get a bit of rhythm with my football.

‘From there, various things happened and I came back the next season, picked up another little injury, then didn't start the season, so I was playing catch-up. I played 10 games back-to-back in a team that was struggling. It was just tough, I got judged off that and that was it, really. That was my Portsmouth career pretty much gone.

‘I've been on loan to various places, but they haven't really worked. Charlton got promoted and were winning every week, so it was a hard team to get into.

‘At Bradford, it was a difficult situation because they were doing so well. Then I signed a six-month deal at Aberdeen in January and picked up an injury after four or five games when I felt I was getting into a rhythm.’

Prior to linking up with Blackpool, McIntyre was linked with a return to Reading.

He added: ‘It's been a tough two years. I was playing at a certain level two or three years ago and, when you start to slip down, you start to ask a lot of questions.

‘But you've got to be a bit kinder to yourself. I know everyone has got their sob story, but there have been a few things that have been tough, outside of football as well.

‘I just want to get in somewhere, get settled and really get back to playing my best football because I haven't changed as a player, I've just had some unfortunate things that have gone on, where I still think I've got loads to give and I still back my quality.

‘I'm just looking to get in somewhere and do my stuff.

‘One hundred per cent I've got a point to prove. I'm desperate to just get a bit of continuity to my football.’

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