Never has a player in one position been quite so warmly welcomed as Joe Lewis. There had been plenty of speculation as to who was going to go in goal on Saturday at Forest. From the 'three and you're in' idea to parking the team bus in front of the goal to even Karl Oyston standing in the nets (well he's tall and is very good at saving!).
Instead, we now have a Number One to go between the posts at the City Ground. Welcome to Joe Lewis who joins the Seasiders on a season long loan from Cardiff. The 26 year old is a former England Under 21 international who previously spent time at Peterborough and made three appearances for the Bluebirds during their Premier League campaign.
He's no stranger to the Fylde Coast having spent some time with Morecambe in 2007 but it's his time with the England Under 21 squad which catches the eye - ironically at a time when international team-mate Jo Hart was helping Blackpool get promoted to the Championship. He's a tall lad at 6'5" and may well need every inch in the opening weeks of the season to help Jose Riga's side bed in.
Joe will miss out when Blackpool host Cardiff on Friday 3rd October at Bloomfield Road on Sky as well as the final away trip of the season at the end of April because of an agreement between the two clubs. If the two were to meet in a Play Off game it could be advantage Bluebirds! Joe goes straight in the squad against Forest on Saturday.