KING of the pies! This could be the verdict on the terraces of Blackpool Football Club next week if the Seasiders win a prestigious "cup final".

Ashworths, makers of the Bloomfield Road pies, are in the top five of Total Football magazine's King Pie contest which aims to find the best footie pie in Britain.

More than a thousand nominations were sent in to the magazine after the local press - including the Citizen - supported the award.

The top five finalists are: Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Newcastle United.

Last year's winner - Blackpool's rivals Burnley - produced a no-show for the final.

John Ashworth, sales and marketing director at Ashworths, said: "Of course we're absolutely thrilled about being in the top five. We believe our pies are quality products."

A fan said: "The pies are just the right combination of meat and potato encased in a light pastry shell."

For the second year running, the competition has revealed a clear North-South divide in the pie stakes.

Not one southern ground made it to the final. Wales was also a washout.

There is an indication that fans' traditional tastes are changing, with a large number of people voting for the Balti pie at Walsall - the only "exotic" pie to reach the final.

Any type of pie is acceptable and the judges will be looking at the quality of pastry and filling, taste, shape and value for money.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday (February 26) on the Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show - the day after Blackpool play Burnley at Bloomfield Road.

Judges include Total Football editor Richard Jones, and Radio 5 presenters Peter Allen and Jane Garvey.

Seasiders managing director Gill Bridge is looking for her side to get maximum points.

"It's well known our pies are easy to tackle," she said.

"We think they will score with the judges and lead us to the title!"

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