ENGLAND legend Paul Ince has tipped Kendal Town to be in the running for promotion this season after the Mintcakes inflicted defeat on Blackpool in Tuesday’s friendly.

The Seasiders boss selected a squad consisting mainly of trialists and watched the action from Parkside Road’s main stand alongside assistant Alex Rae.

And Ince firmly believes Steve Edmondson’s side can be a force this year and reserved a special mention for the night’s two-goal hero.

“I thought the Kendal boys were very good indeed and number nine Danny Mitchley did ever so well,” he said.

“They will have been disappointed to go down last year after losing their manager to Northwich Victoria but this game could be a big help.

“Winning this match could be a great boost which can be taken into the season and if they play with the same endeavour and character there is no reason why they can’t go back up.”

The 45-year-old insists Blackpool’s chronic lack of strength in depth meant it was necessary to use the clash to assess trialists currently training with the club in a match situation.

And Ince – who had a brief spell managing Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League in 2008 – was grateful for that opportunity and the welcome he received from all at Kendal.

“Because of the situation we’re and being so short of players we’ve had to put this game on and thanks must go to Kendal as they have been fantastic,” he added.

“I have had a very nice cup of tea and a sandwich in the boardroom and the hospitality has been second to none, we have been looked after brilliantly from start to finish.”

Ince has 53 international caps to his name and made history by becoming England’s first black captain during a tour of the USA in 1993.

He also won a string of honours domestically and enjoyed a trophy-laden career, listing Manchester United, Internazionale and Liverpool as former employers.

Nevertheless, Ince believes players towards the higher echelons of the game can take a tremendous amount of inspiration from those further down the football pyramid.

“Occasions like this put football into perspective as the lads from Kendal are great professionals,” he said.

“It shows how lucky we are as a Championship team, the players who play for the club and wear the Blackpool shirt should appreciate how fortunate they are.

“What they get to what the lads at Kendal will get is miles and miles apart and these guys deserve a lot of respect as they just enjoy their football. “I don’t see them moaning or groaning they just get on with it and that is something we can take into our game.”