Vernon said, “I do feel a bit of disappointment at having to leave because it was all meant to be sorted. I woke up yesterday morning thinking I was going to sign for another two months. It's disappointing because I was enjoying my football and that's what is important to me. I went to Blackpool yesterday and signed the form. They faxed it through to Oldham, but Oldham refused to sign it. Then I got a phone call telling me to come back. I've enjoyed my time at Blackpool. I think very highly of it. They have got a good manager and they are a decent set of lads, all good people to work with. There is a lot of potential in the team. I want to say a thank you to the fans. In the four games I played they were fully behind me and backed me, and that meant a lot. They helped make my time at the club as enjoyable as it was.”

An unhappy Colin Hendry (Blackpool manager) commented, “We agreed the extension after Sunday's match and arranged with Scott to be at the ground yesterday morning to sign the relevant paperwork. Scott came and signed everything as planned, but Oldham have changed their minds, which they have every right to do, and as a result Scott has gone back to them. I would like to place on record our thanks to Scott. He has worked hard and I'm sure he has enjoyed his time with us. We wish him well for the future.”

Brian Talbot had a different perspective and added, “Blackpool are one of our main rivals near the bottom of the table and the reason we let Scott go on loan in the first place was to see if he could find some form. He did that, scoring three in four games. That was the whole idea and, as far as I'm concerned, that is the end of the story. Hopefully scoring the goals was just the lift Scott needed. Confidence can make a big difference and it's something I thought Scott was lacking at the start of the season. It will be good for everyone if he comes back here and continues the same form, and he will definitely be in the squad on Saturday.”

Vernon has trained at Boundary Park for the first time in a month and he could go straight into the team at Swindon as Athletic seek their first win in six league games.