Blackpool slumped to relegation to League One on Friday night, despite an encouraging individual season for Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino.

After a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Millwall on Friday, Blackpool had their relegation officially confirmed.

Despite sitting just three points away from escaping the relegation zone with a game left, the 23rd-place side were condemned by the fact Reading face Huddersfield on the last day.

If Huddersfield (three points ahead) won or drew, they’d go beyond Blackpool’s reach. If Reading (who were two points ahead at the time) won, then they’d be the ones out of sight.

Either way, Blackpool couldn’t leapfrog both teams on the final day, so they were down.

Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino played the match, having won both his starting place over the last couple of months following the mid-season managerial changes.

Under Michael Appleton, Patino had played pretty much whenever he was available. But when Appleton left the club in mid-January, the midfielder found his position less certain under Mick McCarthy.

Just as it seemed he’d convinced McCarthy to give him starts, the new manager was let go and replaced by interim boss Stephen Dobbie on April 8th.

Once again, Patino dropped to the bench for a couple of games, before starting and playing the full 90 in the last three.

Evidently, Patino managed to win each boss over the more time he spent working with them.

The season has undoubtedly ended on a disappointing note. Patino would have hoped to help Blackpool to safety, but he’ll return to Arsenal with 36+ senior appearances under his belt, as well as three goals and four assists from midfield.

The teenager will likely head out on another loan next season, and he should be an attractive option for a lot of clubs after getting his start in the English Football League.