Sunderland 0 Blackpool 2

Sunderland were made to pay the ultimate price for a series of embarrassing misses as Blackpool's DJ Campbell helped maintain the newly-promoted Tangerines' spectacular start to the life in the Premier League. The player, who first tasted top flight action when Black Cats boss Steve Bruce brought him to Birmingham City, scored twice in the second half to earn his side yet another win on the road. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was able to draft the in-form Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck straight back into the starting line-up for this afternoon's Barclays Premier League clash with Blackpool. Skipper Cattermole missed the Boxing Day trip to Manchester United through suspension, while Welbeck was ineligible under the terms of his loan agreement with the Old Trafford club. They were joined by David Meyler as Cristian Riveros, Steed Malbranque and Bolo Zenden dropped to the bench alongside Titus Bramble, who was included after six weeks out with a knee injury. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway replaced the suspended Charlie Adam with Ludovic Sylvestre and was also able to call upon a long-term absentee as Alex Baptiste returned to the bench after knee surgery with the Seasiders tasting action for the first time since December 11. The game, assistant referee Sian Massey's first in the Premier League, began at a brisk tempo with the home side attempting to make an early impact in the wake of their 2-0 defeat at United.

It was Blackpool who took the lead with 52 minutes gone after Phillips forced Bardsley to concede a right-wing corner.David Vaughan played the corner short to Neil Eardley, who cut inside on to his left foot to send in a cross which Ian Evatt flicked on for Campbell to volley home from close range. The visitors might have increased their lead within a minute when Phillips fired in a rasping shot which flew just wide of Gordon's right post. Sunderland were stung back into life and launched a series of raids deep into enemy territory, but too often their final ball lacked the required quality to trouble Kingson and his defenders. There was little wrong with Henderson's firmly-struck 58th-minute cross to the near post, by Gyan could not keep the ball down as he slid in to meet it. Bruce immediately made his move when he replaced Meyler with Kieran Richardson in the search for greater creativity. However, the visitors might have increased their lead twice within a minute as the home side wilted. (Daily Mail)

Holloway's laughing but his slick side are no joke after Stoke win

Ian Holloway thought he looked resplendent, until a fan pointed at his grey overcoat with black felt lapels and bellowed: 'You look like an undertaker.' If it was meant to ruffle Blackpool's irrepressible boss, it failed dismally. With a look of mock indignation, he said: 'Cut me to the core, it did. I think I look quite smart, and I'm going to carry on wearing it.' Holloway can see the funny side more often than not, but he draws the line at the way his side were supposed to be dead and buried before a ball had been kicked. 'That did hurt,' he said, after seeing Blackpool's slick passing rewarded with a 48th-minute winner from DJ Campbell at Stoke on Saturday. 'It hurt me and the players to see some people predicting we'd be the worst team in Premier League history. 'Someone had us down for 10 points. Bit of a laughing stock. We have used that as a motivation to help keep us going. We are still light years away from securing our place in this division, but I am so proud of the way these players have responded to being disrespected like that. They have already doubled the lowest points total, and I am delighted for them.' (Daily Mail)

Blackpool v Manchester United clash called off as Britain's big freeze hits Premier League

This weekend's Barclays Premier League clash between Blackpool and Manchester United has been called off due to the freezing conditions at the Tangerines' Bloomfield Road ground. Temperatures dipped below minus eight on Thursday night meaning attempts to make the pitch playable, using protective covering and hot-air blowers, were in vain. The Seasiders expressed concerns over the state of the playing surface on Friday lunchtime, and the match was postponed later in the afternoon after match referee Peter Walton carried out a pitch inspection. No other games in the top flight have yet been called off. A statement on the club's website read: 'Mr Walton expressed concern that the severely affected areas of the playing surface would not thaw sufficiently for the game to be completed.' (Daily Mail)

Blackpool 2 v 2 Bolton

Bolton came from two goals down to share the spoils with Blackpool in a thrilling draw at the Reebok. Defender Ian Evatt headed the visitors ahead in the first half from a precise Elliot Grandin corner. Luke Varney headed another Grandin corner into the Bolton net to make it 2-0 just before the hour. But Martin Petrov pulled one back with a delightful volley and Mark Davies rescued the home side with a calm side-foot finish a minute from time. Before the match, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway had spoken of his admiration for Owen Coyle, who has turned Bolton into attack-minded entertainers this season. Indeed, with 26 goals from 14 matches, Wanderers came into the game unbeaten in November and with a goal tally bettered by only four Premier League sides. Yet the home side initially struggled to achieve such penetration against their Lancashire rivals and had it not been for the Seasiders' refusal to sit on a two-goal cushion Holloway could have left the Reebok with the upper hand over his opposite number (BBC Sport)

Blackpool 2, Wolves 1

PRINCE William's presence at Bloomfield Road inspired the Seasiders to a 2-1 victory over Wolves.

The Prince watched the game from a sponsor's box and was no doubt enthralled by what was another momentous afternoon by the seaside.Luke Varney opened the scoring with a superb goal just three minutes in and Marlon Harewood scored his fifth of the season on the stroke of half time.

Varney's goal was stunning, as good as any player in the Premier League could produce. Controlling Ian Evatt's long ball forward on his chest in front of the ponderous Kevin Foley, Varney stepped in from the left byline and smashed a first-time looping half-volley over Marcus Hahnemann from fully 30 yards. It was the kind of goal that very few players can score and one Varney will be telling his grand-children about. Even William looked impressed...

DJ Campbell had a shot blocked and Hahnemann saved from Hareood's low strike but in truth it was Wolves who went onto boss the half. They had 60 per cent of possession and missed good headed chances, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle both missing the target after getting on the end of good crosses from left back George Elokobi. They paid for those missed chances on the stroke of half time when Varney - having a good afternoon - got on the end of David Vaughan's left wing corner and Harewood stabbed the ball home from six yards.

The second half began at a frantic pace and rarely let off...read more...

West Ham 0 - 0 Blackpool

West Ham's struggles at the foot of the table continued as they failed to break down Blackpool, who made 11 changes. The hosts dominated the first half and were unlucky to be denied a penalty when Craig Cathcart appeared to use an arm to block Victor Obinna's volley. Luis Boa Morte and Pablo Barrera wasted good chances and Carlton Cole hit the post as the Hammers continued to press. But Blackpool's Marlon Harewood was guilty of the worst miss of all when he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Boos rang out around Upton Park at the final whistle but for a side lacking in confidence, West Ham's players produced plenty of endeavour in an entertaining encounter which lacked only a goal. Both teams had a hatful of chances to grab a late winner but the defences held out and both managers had to be satisfied with a hard-earned point. (BBC Sport)

Holloway: Fine us and I'll resign

IAN Holloway has threatened to quit as Blackpool boss if the Premier League fine the Seasiders for making ten changes at Aston Villa.

The manager is furious with suggestions the club might be punished over their starting line-up for last night's 3-2 Premier League defeat.Of the team which started against Everton on Saturday, only Keith Southern retained his place. But Holloway is 100 per cent certain he has done nothing wrong. He says he has assembled a 24-man squad, believes they are all as good as each other and has a right to pick whoever he pleases ... read more ...

Aston Villa 3 - 2 Blackpool

James Collins headed a late winner as Aston Villa recorded their first home win since August with a dramatic victory over a much-changed Blackpool. Stuart Downing put Villa ahead with a volley that deflected beyond Richard Kingson but Marlon Harewood levelled with a side-foot shot before the break. Nathan Delfouneso volleyed Villa ahead again but Blackpool equalised when a DJ Campbell shot deflected in off Collins. The defender made amends minutes later when he headed in from a corner.

The goal came as a cruel blow to a Blackpool side that featured 10 changes from the team that drew 2-2 against Everton on Saturday. Six of those players, including skipper Jason Euell, were making their first Premier League starts this term. Given that the Seasiders arrived at Villa Park in the best away form of any team in the top flight, the wholesale change seemed a curious move from Blackpool boss Ian Holloway. And yet it was the visitors who made the livelier start, Villa old-boy Harewood spurning two early chances to score on his first return to Villa Park....read more...

Pool Share The Spoils With Everton

A DISALLOWED Marlon Harewood goal in the final minute prevented Blackpool taking all three points against Everton.

After a slow start, this game turned into a pulsating contest with Pool - after struggling to keep the Toffees quiet for the first hour - ending the match on top and looking more likely to win it. It finished 2-2, with the Seasiders twice going ahead, but twice being pegged back within minutes of scoring. Neal Eardley gave Blackpool a ninth minute lead when he curled in a free kick from 25 yards. But five minutes later Tim Cahill headed in his 50th Premier League goal to put the Toffees back on level terms. Former Pool loanee Seamus Coleman, causing havoc all afternoon on the right, tested Matt Gilks with a volley and curled a left foot shot inches wide. Yakubu and the outstanding Mikel Arteta also come close. But the Seasiders responded by scoring within two minutes of the restart after half time, David Vaughan battling his way through and slamming the ball past Tim Howard. A mistake by Matt Gilks allowed Everton to equalise just two minutes later though - the Pool stopper letting Seamus Coleman's low drive squirm underneath his body. Despite chances at both ends, especially in a frantic final 10 minutes, it ended honours even. (Blackpool Today)

Blackpool 2 - 1 West Brom

Blackpool capitalised on West Brom suffering two first-half dismissals to record their first top-flight home victory since 1971. West Brom were dealt an early double blow when Pablo Ibanez was dismissed for a foul on DJ Campbell, resulting in a penalty that Charlie Adam scored. Gonzalo Jara's lunge on Luke Varney saw the Baggies reduced to nine men. Varney doubled Blackpool's lead before Youssouf Mulumbu curled in what proved to be a consolation goal for Albion. Having beaten Blackpool twice in the Championship last season and defied expectation with a superb start to this campaign, West Brom brought both belief and momentum into the game. However, two incidents in the first half - both of which saw the Baggies emerge a man lighter - swung the match in the home side's favour. (BBC Sport)

Birmingham 2 - 0 Blackpool

Birmingham earned their first Premier League victory since August after outclassing Blackpool at St Andrew's. Liam Ridgewell gave the hosts the lead just before the break, nodding home from two yards after Nikola Zigic's header came back off the crossbar. Star midfielder Charlie Adam then gave the ball away in his own six-yard box and allowed Zigic to double the lead.
Blackpool were enterprising but lacked a cutting edge as the home side closed out a comfortable win. The Seasiders went into the match with the best away record in the Premier League and must have had hopes of further success on the road with Birmingham struggling to repeat the form which saw them go unbeaten for so long last season. But the resilience and belief that inspired Ian Holloway's side to wins at Wigan, Newcastle and Liverpool never really materialised at a soggy St Andrew's. Holloway had made headlines in the build-up to the match with a tirade about player power, the Bosman ruling and a lack of video technology in the game. But even if the latter had been in place, it would have had no bearing on a game in which Birmingham finally began to find some much-needed home form. Holloway's decision to go for an attacking formation should be commended, although the colourful boss might have had second thoughts as the Blues controlled the opening stages....read more...

Unlucky Tangerines ....

It's a current topic at the moment. Something that's in the forefront of Ollie's mind .... the poor refereeing that has taken place during a number of Blackpool's games. Here's a brief catalogue of these blatant errors:

Arsenal v Blackpool .... twenty odd minutes gone at The Emirates. Blackpool were relatively comfortable in their first trip to Arsenal. That was until unlucky Evatt appeared to commit a foul on the edge of the box. It turned out to be horrific. What was a clumsy challenge resulted in a double punishment for The Tangerines. Evatt was given a straight red card and Arsenal received a penalty. Replays show the incident was outside the box, and it was debatable if it was indeed a foul as Evatt appeared to touch the ball first .... Arsenal then demolished a 10 man Tangerines team.

Blackpool v Fulham .... again it was Evatt involved in a clear match changing decision. Blackpool were outplaying Fulham until Zamora's goal in the first half. During the build up to the goal Evatt was clearly fouled. Possibly two points dropped in their first home game due to a clear error on the part of the referee.

Blackpool v Blackburn ... minutes to go and Blackburn steal the winner. However, the Blackburn goal was clearly offside. A point lost for the battling Seasiders who outplayed Blackburn for most of the game.

Blackpool v Man City ... the most controversial so far. Grandin was deemed to have touched the ball in an offside position which meant the onside Taylor Fletcher's goal was disallowed. Grandin never touched the ball. Therefore it was a goal. Blackpool would have taken the lead at this point!!! Tevez was clearly offside when he received the ball from De Silva for his first goal. Therefore it should not have counted. Evatt was clearly fouled when Tevez battled for the ball which lead to his 2nd goal. Therefore ... all three points SHOULD have been in Blackpool's slingshot.

In total at least SEVEN points have been lost due to bad referee decisions. We SHOULD be on 17 points ... sitting pretty in the top 5 of The Premier League. Well clear of the bottom three.

Let's hope lady luck goes our way in future. Points are hard to come by in this division as it is ... without referees seemingly picking on the 'small fry' ...........

Blackpool 2 Man City 3

IT may be of scant consolation to Ian Holloway and his Blackpool team but even one of the world's best tennis players reckons the Seasiders are brilliant.

Andy Murray thumped Roger Federer in the final of Shanghai Masters, then returned to his hotel room in the Far East to watch this game.We know that because he posted a message on Twitter (ask your children, it's some internet thing) saying: 'Blackpool are so good to watch!

Loving what Ian Holloway has done'.Apart from unnecessary use of an exclamation mark, spot on Mr Murray, and rest assured that all Blackpool fans will give you an extra cheer when you're losing a heartbreaking five-setter in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon next year.This contest might have been billed as princes versus paupers but it turned out to be nothing of the kind.For lengthy periods it was hard to tell which club shopped at Harrods and which in Aldi as Pool's team, put together for less than £3m, more than matched a Manchester City squad worth in excess of £200m.Class possibly just about told in the end but the Seasiders were so unlucky to lose.

For starters they became the first side to score twice against Roberto Mancini's side this season.

Then there were City's first two goals - gifted to them by the officials. Carlos Tevez was offside for his first; the Argentinean getting away with a foul on Ian Evatt for the next - a killer as Pool had hauled themselves back into the contest by equalising 60 seconds earlier.To say Ian Holloway was unimpressed with the performance of referee Phil Dowd is, believe me, putting it mildly. But given that he was already confined to the stands after an improper conduct charge, the boss, as frustrated as he was, had to be careful with what he said after the game. He just about held his tongue and managed to avoid getting himself in further hot water.

The end result was a real shame because Blackpool couldn't have played much better.For a while – particularly the opening 20 minutes of the second half when they were bossing the contest – it looked as if they would actually beat City. They haven't done that in a league game since April 1962, when the Beatles had just been rejected by Decca Records because "guitar groups are on the way out".

The wait might go on but my word the Seasiders are making a lot of people look about as foolish as Decca."They'll never survive in the Premier League," chirped the so-called experts. "They're going straight back down, be lucky to get 10 points," said others.

Complete nonsense, I'd argue. While there is still a long way to go and probably difficult periods to overcome, all the evidence we've seen so far suggests Blackpool will be a top-flight side next season.They are playing with a confidence and rhythm that is a joy to watch.David Vaughan and Charlie Adam are in terrific form in the middle and with Luke Varney displaying more energy than your average Commonwealth Games athlete, the omens are encouraging indeed.How wonderful it was just to witness this game.

The stadium was bouncing for a fixture that Pool fans had been really looking forward to.Fulham and Blackburn, the previous home games, had been great, but City were the first real glamour visitors. After a slow start, when they were perhaps still a trifle surprised to find themselves on the same stage as the likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor (blimey he's a big lad) and Nigel de Jong (not the victim of as many pantomime boos as I'd have hoped), Pool found their feet and just about edged the first period, though neither side created many real clear-cut chances.

It's a vaguely interesting statistic, by the way, that Blackpool haven't scored in the first half at Bloomfield Road since the play-off semi-final with Nottingham Forest. Different story after the break though, as the contest became stretched and opportunities presented themselves.DJ Campbell had the best opening, finding himself free in front of goal after good work by Adam and Varney. Unfortunately, the Seasiders club record signing couldn't get his shot on target – beating the post as well as Joe Hart.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher had a goal disallowed (a touch harshly as he was onside, it was Elliott Grandin who was off ... news which further brightened Holloway's mood), then Adam's thumping shot was tipped over the bar by Hart. Pool were in the ascendency, if any side were to score it was surely them.Famous last words. As so often happens in football, under-the-cosh City broke up the other end and scored. David Silva, on as a sub a couple of minutes earlier, crossed and Tevez finished with a clever backheel. Offside by half a yard though.

The excellent Neal Eardley had to clear Milner's chip off the line, then Milner – finally showing us why he is allegedly worth £26m – rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort. It seemed Pool might collapse. We should have known better. On 79 minutes, Varney was fouled on the right flank. Charlie Adam whipped in a free-kick which substitute Marlon Harewood glanced past Joe Hart.The crowd went berserk, Glad All over started playing.Alas we'd barely reached the chorus when City regained the lead – Tevez getting away with his foul on Evatt, then enjoying another slice of luck when his deflected shot flew off Craig Cathcart's boot and into the bottom corner.

Tevez hit the bar as Pool pushed forward and left holes at the back, then Silva scored a superb third goal – twisting past opponents for fun before curling the ball beyond Matt Gilks.That was in the final minute.

Holloway's team never give up though and earned some reward for their endeavour when they snatched a second goal at the death, Taylor-Fletcher turning in Varney's scuffed shot from an Adam corner. There wasn't time to hit back again, a pity as City were looking rattled. It meant disappointment at the end, but is disappointment really the correct word after a performance like this?Of course it's not.

This was terrific stuff from Blackpool.

Viewed live on TV by millions, they've no doubt won countless more fans and will be showered with praise by the very people writing them off a few weeks back. Keep this up and they it's not a case of 'if' but 'when' they survive. (Blackpool Today)

Liverpool 1 Blackpool 2

GOALS from Luke Varney and Charlie Adam handed Blackpool sensational win against Liverpool.

Charlie Adam's penalty and Luke Varney's perfectly-timed run and finish did the damage in the first half and although Sotirios Kyrgiakos's header pulled one back Liverpool will spend the next fortnight rooted in the bottom three because of the forthcoming international break. Blackpool were well worth their win on their first-half performance alone. Liverpool were not helped by the 10th-minute loss of striker Fernando Torres to a suspected groin injury, but even then they should still have at least dominated possession. But they did not get chance as Blackpool attacked from the off and Adam's second-minute free-kick had Jose Reina batting the ball away. Torres barely had time to flash a cross into the six-yard box where Joe Cole deflected it wide before he was replace by David Ngog. Blackpool were enjoying far more of the play than they could have expected to at Anfield and DJ Campbell went close at the far post from Neal Eardley's teasing right-wing cross. When Steven Gerrard gave the ball away in his own half it was only Martin Skrtel's sliding challenge which denied Varney's shot but the pressure eventually told in the 29th minute. Right-back Glen Johnson, in particular, has had a dreadful start to the season and it got worse when he brought down Varney, allowing Adam to fire home the penalty despite Reina getting a hand on it. Liverpool's response was half-hearted with Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles all failing to test goalkeeper Matt Gilks with chances.Seconds before the interval the Seasiders stunned their hosts when Gary Taylor-Fletcher flicked a ball into the penalty area and Varney ran on to fire past Reina ... read more...

Blackpool 1 - 2 Blackburn

Brett Emerton struck in injury time with his first Premier League goal for two years as Blackburn broke Blackpool hearts in a pulsating Lancashire derby. The visitors had gone in front through a soft own goal when Charlie Adam nodded into his own net as goalkeeper Matthew Gilks lost his footing. Blackpool hit back and substitute Matt Phillips scored on his Premier League debut with virtually his first touch. But substitute Emerton snatched the points with low shot into the corner.

Defeat was exceptionally hard on the Seasiders, who poured forward in the second half and deserved something from an enthralling encounter, which was high on drama.Rovers, who had not won in the league since the opening day of the season and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Aston Villa in midweek, had let leads slip in four previous games this season and looked certain to do so again in a remarkable finale.

They might have fallen behind after only 90 seconds when home defender Ian Evatt's header appeared destined for the top corner but Michel Salgado headed the ball on to the underside of the bar before it was scrambled clear. (BBC Sport)

'We Will Keep Attacking' - Ian Holloway

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway insists he will stick to his team's attacking approach in future after a more defensive system backfired at Chelsea.

Defensive midfielder Alex Baptiste came in for forward Brett Ormerod but Blackpool conceded four first-half goals as champions Chelsea dominated. "The tactical change did not work at all," said Holloway of his selection. Holloway brought on an attacking player for a defender at the break and his team improved in the second half.

"I should have gone back [to our normal attacking system] earlier but when I went back to what we do the game was over by then," he added. "No matter what we do against the top teams we are light years off them. They are awesome with their mental approach and the way they go about games. I would have been silly to think we did not have to do something different against Chelsea but I think we would have lost no matter what we did." (BBC Sport)

Chelsea 4 - Blackpool 0

Blackpool struggled to cope with a rampant Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge, as Ian Holloway's men went down 4-0 in the capital.

The manager made one change from the team which beat Newcastle, with Alex Baptiste replacing Brett Ormerod. This meant Baps went into the middle of midfield and Elliot Grandin operated out wide. Any game plan to stifle the Champions with a slightly more defensive formation was undone within 90 seconds. The home team won a cheap corner and from there the Pool defence were unable to deal with a routine ball into the box, allowing Salomon Kalou with an easy unmarked finish at the back post. As the ball came in, defenders were sucked to the ball which meant Kalou, who had dropped off, had no problems slotting home for 1-0. Set pieces were a thorn in the Blackpool eleven all day, with players unsure who they were picking up and where they were supposed to be stationed; it wasn't clear whether zonal marking was being tried or that the Blues were just too savvy to spring clear of markers. Before the Seasiders had time to settle - which they probably failed to manage until after the break - Chelsea were two up. Michael Essien and Didier Drogba were at the heart of the move, fashioning a close range chance for the in-form Florent Malouda who made no mistake, putting past Matt Gilks with ease on 12 minutes. Neal Eardley was getting ripped to shreds by Ashley Cole down the left hand side and chances came and went at regular intervals for the hosts. The former Oldham man didn't help himself by a lack of positional awareness as he allowed straight and diagonal balls to loop over him, leaving Cole with the freedom of Stamford Bridge. The midfield managed to secure a slight foothold in the game after the second went in, keeping the ball for short spells but weren't helped by the gallivanting runs of Alex Baptiste who, as a supposed holding midfielder, was the furthest forward a few times, leaving Pool susceptible to the counter attack. It wasn't a counter attack which brought the third goal, but an individual error in the middle of the park. Elliot Grandin got caught on the ball which ended up seeing Cole cross for Drogba who had his deflected effort unluckily fly in off Ian Evatt, leaving Gilks helpless. That was on 30 minutes, and 10 later there was the final goal of the day. Kalou was given far too much room by Stephen Crainey and found Malouda who fired home brilliantly to wrap up the scoring, thankfully! Going into the break it felt like the Blues could have hit six, seven, maybe eight in the mood that they were in. Sometimes you have to sit back and applaud to opposition and Carlo Ancelotti and his team look like Premiership winners already. There were chances for Blackpool, but Alex Baptiste saw a long range effort well saved and Dekel Keinan nodded wide from a corner. Ollie made an obvious change at half time, hauling off the out of depth Eardley to replace him with Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Baptiste dropping to right back), with the midfielder having a smashing game in the second half. Charlie Adam and David Vaughan were able to keep the ball more in the second 45 after knowing where they stood without a defender alongside them, which meant chances were created for the front three. DJ Campbell almost reduced the arrears as he sprung the offside trap before his one-on-one shot beat Petr Cech but not Ivanovic on the line. There were more opportunities to come as Pool produced a more characteristic attacking display. Taylor-Fletcher saw a chip brilliantly tipped over by Cech whilst Luke Varney had a volley fly wide. Stephen Crainey and Charlie Adam in particular were getting into decent crossing positions but the quality of ball into the box wasn't that of their more established opponents, which was perhaps the most glaring difference between the teams. There were more chances for the hosts to extend their lead, with Malouda being the biggest culprit for spurning them. Chelsea should have had a penalty in the last minute but Mark Clattenburg was extremely lenient and blew for full time instead. However, all in all, there will be bigger and better teams who lose by more than four at Chelsea and the players should be proud of their second half performance. Ian Holloway said after the game that we simply weren't good enough in the first half and that is probably the most disappointing thing to come out of the game. As a defensive unit they didn't do themselves justice at all but as Sky Sports noted, the game was a freebie and moving onto the Blackburn game as quickly as possible is the best course of action. (Vital Football)

Ian Holloway wants Blackpool to play like world champions Spain

It was courageous and it was cutting edge but, above all, it was clever. Blackpool's perfectly executed game plan served as a masterclass, demonstrating how devastatingly effective genuinely attacking versions of 4-3-3 can be.

Ian Holloway had asked his unfancied, heavily patronised charges to make a challenging formation, requiring considerable positional interchanging and much attendant trust, work.
Admittedly they endured some hairy second-half moments and their goalkeeper, Matthew Gilks, shone but few would argue that Blackpool did not deserve to pull it off. Even more refreshingly their shock win had as much to do with Holloway's broad football philosophy as his chosen configuration.

"You've got to look at Tiki-Taka, you've got to look at Spain," he said. "How they pass the ball, how they keep the ball. They are little guys who run around passing and they are quite brilliant."
So much so that Holloway has adopted the World Cup winners as role models. "What's wrong with us, why can't we do it? I want my team to be more like Spain."

On Saturday this wish was granted. "I've got to be careful I don't burst with pride. These boys are amazing, they're getting better all the time."

Blackpool's £10,000‑a‑week wage ceiling dictates that Holloway cannot shop for the game's perceived elite. Indeed, handed a comparable budget, many of his peers would merely restrict their recruits to specific, regimented, duties within rigid, safety-first formations.

Refusing to bow to such convention, the Bristolian has instead asked players such as the impressive David Vaughan, Charlie Adam and Luke Varney to raise their personal technical bars. On Tyneside he reaped surprisingly rich rewards...Read More...

Superb Blackpool beat Newcastle!

Newcastle Utd 0 v 2 BLACKPOOL.

Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell burst Newcastle's bubble as Blackpool banked another three precious Barclays Premier League points on the road. The midfielder calmly slotted a 45th-minute penalty past keeper Steve Harper and immediately dedicated it to youth team coach Gary Parkinson, who is critically ill in hospital. Adam then produced the pass from which DJ Campbell sealed the win at the death, but only after keeper Matt Gilks had produced a string of superb saves to deny Newcastle an equaliser. Gilks, who had kept out Kevin Nolan's first-half effort, frustrated Joey Barton, substitute Peter Lovenkrands and Andy Carroll as the Magpies staged a committed fightback in front of a crowd of 49,597. The defeat, Newcastle's first on their own turf in 27 attempts, served as a reminder to the Chris Hughton's men, if they needed one, that their 6-0 victory over Aston Villa in the last fixture at St James' Park, was a start and nothing more. Five months ago, Blackpool had arrived on Tyneside as one of the few sides to have beaten the Magpies in the Championship, and left on the wrong end of a 4-1 beating which was every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests. They returned to the north-east knowing that Villa had also been sent packing as Newcastle romped to a stunning victory 24 hours after they had lost by the same score at Arsenal. But there was a determination about Ian Holloway's men from the off that they would not be blown away, and when referee Lee Mason sounded the half-time whistle, few inside St James' could have argued they were value for their 1-0 lead...READ MORE ...

Blackpool 2 v 2 Fulham

Dickson Etuhu's late equaliser rescued a point for Fulham and denied Blackpool a deserved victory as top-flight football made its return to Bloomfield Road after 39 years. Manager Ian Holloway's newly-promoted Tangerines looked on course for a momentous three points as they came from behind after Bobby Zamora - watched by England coach Fabio Capello - headed Fulham into a first-half lead. Blackpool's patient passing approach and attacking verve was rewarded when John Pantsil turned Luke Varney's shot into his own net with 19 minutes remaining. Varney then sent Blackpool's fans into wild celebrations five minutes later as he finished in style from 12 yards after racing on to Brett Ormerod's through ball. But with three minutes left and Bloomfield Road counting down the seconds to the final whistle, Etuhu raced clear on to Moussa Dembele's pass to beat Matt Gilks. It was a point Fulham barely deserved after the home side dominated for long periods, but Holloway will take great encouragement from his team's display against a side that reached the Europa League final in May. (BBC Sport)

MK Dons 4 v 3 Blackpool (AET)

Lewis Guy's extra-time goal gave MK Dons a win over top-flight Blackpool in a superb Carling Cup second-round tie. Sam Baldock fired the Dons ahead from long range in the first minute, with Brett Ormerod levelling on the hour. Jermaine Easter hit two goals in two minutes shortly after to put the Dons in charge but Ludovic Sylvestre reduced arrears a minute later. Charlie Adam's penalty forced extra time in which substitute Guy struck the decisive blow with 10 minutes left.

It was a fittingly dramatic conclusion to a hugely entertaining game in which the home side had never been behind but were continually pegged back by their spirited opponents. It was a much-altered Seasiders side from the one that lost 6-0 at Arsenal on Saturday, with manager Ian Holloway making 10 changes. Holloway himself was not present to see his second string battle hard but ultimately fail against League One MK Dons - with the Blackpool club website stating he was watching a possible transfer target at another match. Assistant boss Steve Thompson, standing in for Holloway, had barely taken his seat in the dugout when Baldock collected a Sean O'Hanlon pass and scored from 18 yards after just 53 seconds. (BBC Sport)

Arsenal 6 - 0 Blackpool

Theo Walcott registered the first hat-trick of his club career as Arsenal brought Blackpool back down to earth with a resounding win at the Emirates. Newly-promoted Blackpool, who won 4-0 at Wigan on the opening day, started well but Walcott slotted Arsenal ahead. Ian Evatt was sent off for a foul that appeared to be outside the area, Andrey Arshavin scoring the penalty, before Walcott drilled a third on 39 minutes. Abou Diaby clipped home, Walcott curled in and Marouane Chamakh headed a sixth. While they squandered numerous chances to extend their advantage, the Gunners now have their first victory of the season and boss Arsene Wenger will surely be delighted with his side's performance.

Opposite number Ian Holloway insisted before the match that his side would "have a go" and admitted they "might end up losing by the most embarrassing scoreline even in the Premier League". Such a scenario did not quite materialise for the Seasiders - but after Evatt's dismissal there was a feeling that it could have gone that way. Blackpool did enjoy plenty of early possession and carved out the first meaningful attempt on goal when David Vaughan shot powerfully at Manuel Almunia. (BBC Sport)

Best Newcomers ....

BLACKPOOL SIMPLY SENSATIONAL AGAINST WIGAN

WIGAN 0, BLACKPOOL 4. FOR once, mentions of Blackpool’s illuminations have nothing to do with the seafront.

On an incredible, implausible debut, Ian Holloway’s improbable underdogs lit up the Premier League. Now they tower over the division. They were peerless. This was simply sensational.League goal; to Marlon Harewood, the brace that made it an elegant demolition job; to Holloway, surely, the plaudits for a rapid, radical overhaul of a forgotten club. Pass and move is supposed to be Arsenal’s ethos. Blackpool have borrowed it to make the tangerine dream all the more attractive. This was no smash and grab – it was classy attacking football. It was a club that went from disarray to disbelief in a matter of days. In midweek Holloway denied he was resigning after a frustrating summer in the transfer market. Enter seven signings in 72 hours.
Holloway’s bargain basement version of supermarket sweep paid immediate dividends. Elliot Grandin made a goal. Harewood set up one and scored two more. Charlie Adam sent Harewood surging clear on the right and he rolled an inviting cross to the far post for Taylor-Fletcher to sweep in.Formerly of Northwich Victoria, Grays, Dagenham & Redbridge and Lincoln, Taylor-Fletcher is an unlikely hero. But then they all are. That’s what makes Blackpool so remarkable.
Unwanted at Aston Villa, Harewood had the choice of Premier League Blackpool or League One Huddersfield. It looks like he picked the right one. He opened his account with a 25-yard shot that squirmed under Chris Kirkland’s body.

Having waited 28 months for a Premier League goal, Harewood had a second in five minutes when Kirkland parried Grandin’s shot and the former West Ham man slotted in the rebound.

The rout was completed when a player who was relegated from the Football League in his Mansfield days, Alex Baptiste, scored in the Premier League with a mishit cross. It was an emotional comeback match for referee Mark Halsey after his successful cancer treatment. (Sunday Express)

Wigan 0 - 4 Blackpool

Premier League newcomers Blackpool had a dream start to their campaign as they beat a Wigan team in disarray. The Tangerines were 3-0 up at half-time, with Gary Taylor-Fletcher side-footing them into a deserved lead. Livewire Marlon Harewood added a second with a 22-yard shot and also slotted in after Elliot Grandin had an effort parried by goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. Steve Gohouri had a header disallowed for Wigan before Alex Baptiste's cross inadvertently added Blackpool's fourth. Wigan were comfortably beaten and it was the home side which looked more like the Premier League debutants than the more assured Blackpool, who were making their return to the top flight for the first time since 1971. Until Chelsea beat West Brom 6-0 in the later kick-off, the three points had also put Blackpool top of the table for the first time since the opening day of the 1957/58 season. (BBC Sport)

Now We Know It's Real

Big time Blackpool

Everyone wants to be Ian Holloway's friend at the moment it seems.

After Blackpool's fairytale win in the Championship play-off, the Seasiders' manager has had to quickly adjust to his new life in the Premier League - as his phone has not stopped ringing.

The incredible game at Wembley, where Blackpool saw off Cardiff by the odd goal in five, was billed as 'The £90m match' - the richest game in football history - and suddenly everybody wanted a piece of Holloway.

"I've got some of the most famous agents in the world ringing me," Holloway told BBC Sport.

"They've never bothered with me in the past, and they'll have a shock because I've told them we won't be spending the sort of money they're talking about.

"What they won't realise is that we'll do the thing we've always done. I'm looking for good people, quality people, not people who want to pick up a big wage."

Holloway's amazing success, in which he led a team tipped for relegation from the Championship into the promised land, has been built on team spirit and he is not about to see those carefully laid foundations ripped apart by a bunch of prima donnas with pound signs in their eyes.

That's not to say he won't be bringing any new faces in, but first he has to sit down with chairman Karl Oyston and work out what funds are available to him.

"Basically there are two things I need to know - is there a transfer kitty and budget and what is my overall playing budget?" Holloway explained. "Once I've been told those things, I can go to work."

Several players, including Hameur Bouazza and Daniel Nardiello, have already been released, while the loan players who played such a key part in Blackpool's promotion, including DJ Campbell, Stephen Dobbie, Barry Bannan and Seamus Coleman, have all gone back to their parent clubs. (BBC Sport)

Premier League visit Bloomfield Road

League boss Richard Scudamore has been to Bloomfield Road to welcome Ian Holloway and Karl Oyston to the top flight.

The league's chief executive and general secretary Mike Foster examined the ground and explained the rules the Seasiders must abide by.These include a maximum squad size of 25 players, plus an unlimited pool of players under the age of 21, as well as a maximum of two loan players at any time."I think it was only when myself, Karl and Ian sat down with Richard Scudamore that it actually started to sink in that we were in the Premier League," said Pool secretary Matt Williams, who is responsible for ensuring Pool comply with all the regulations.

"We gave them a tour of the ground, and they measured the dressing rooms and were happy with them. We showed them where we propose to do the post-match TV interviews and that was fine. "They looked around the stadium, looked at the boardroom .... looked at everything really. "Obviously we have to address the press facilities and press working rooms, which will be in the east stand."We must have space for 50 journalists and 20 radio commentary positions, plus 14 camera positions around the pitch, which will double if you broadcast in 3D.

"There were also talks about the make-up of the squad. The rules are different to the Football League and will affect Holloway's dealings in the transfer market."You can have 25 players in your squad, eight of whom have to be homegrown," added Williams."A player counts as homegrown if he has been registered with any club affiliated to the English or Welsh FA for a period of three seasons prior to his 21st birthday."

That's why the likes of Chelsea or Manchester United will take foreign players into their academies at, say, 16, because when they are 19 they will be classed as homegrown. "We can have an unlimited pool of under-21s to top up the squad. This is to give young English players a chance when clubs get suspensions or injuries."

Our current squad isn't exactly blessed with a big pool of under-21s. We have Mark Halstead, Louis Almond, Stephen Husband and Ashley Eastham, so that's an area we've got to look at.

"The loan system too gives the Seasiders food for thought."We can no longer take the likes of Seamus Coleman on a three-month loan from Everton. Those days are gone," added Williams.

"There are no emergency loans in the Premier League, so it is either a window-to-window loan or season-long.

"You are allowed four per season but you can only have two loan players at any one time.

"Holloway has now gone away for a few days to work out how best to play the transfer market this summer. He has left Williams and assistant boss Steve Thompson in charge, and they have been busy...(Blackpool Gazette)

Fired Up Charlie Adam Ready For The Big Time

BLACKPOOL hero Charlie Adam ­insists he can take the ­Premier League by storm next season.

The Rangers flop won FIVE awards at the end-of- season party as the ­Seasiders celebrated their shock rise to the English top flight. Adam has been the ­heartbeat of Ian ­Holloway’s revolution and scored a superb free-kick at Wembley against ­Cardiff in the 3-2 play-off final win last weekend. But Adam, 24, insists he is not fazed by life among the big boys and reckons he can get better and better.

He said: “Hopefully I will become a better player. It will be tough because there are some world-class players in there but I’m looking forward to it.”

Adam left Ibrox last ­season after failing to ­impress Gers boss Walter Smith. And he revealed a ­devastatingly simple reason for joining Blackpool – they were the only side ­interested. He added: “I came here ­because Blackpool were the only team to find the money. They paid the £500,000 and that was it. I had been on loan here and enjoyed it and was more than ­happy to come here. I’m just glad we have ­become winners. Nobody will take winning at ­Wembley away from us.”

And although Pool fans are still partying, Adam has promised that Holloway and his men are ready to roll up their sleeves and do battle.

He said: “It is important to think about it now. It’ll be tough but we’ll have a smile on our faces.” (Daily Star)

The 'Seasiders Special' Brew

Brewer Daniel Thwaites has celebrated Blackpool’s promotion to the Premier League by producing a beer to mark the team’s triumph. Against the odds the Lancashire club secured promotion at the weekend after defeating Cardiff in the play-off final 3-2.

And Lancashire-based Thwaites, which supplies the bars at Blackpool FC, has created ‘Seasiders’ Special’, in celebration of the Tangerines’ success. The 4.1 % ABV beer goes on sale this week and will be available throughout pubs and clubs in and around Blackpool.

It will also be served at a special dinner to the Blackpool team at a local restaurant.

Lee Williams, marketing manager at Daniel Thwaites, said: “We are delighted at Blackpool’s success against Cardiff at the weekend and we are proud to support all their hard work and dedication. This is a momentous achievement for the club, town and people of Blackpool and we hope they all enjoy this new beer.” (The Publican)

Blackpool must pay £1m to sign play-off hero DJ Campbell from Leicester

Premier League new boys Blackpool have been told that they will have to stump up £1m if they want to sign striker DJ Campbell on a permanent deal from Leicester.

The striker, who scored 11 goals during his loan spell including a hat-trick in the play-off victory over Nottingham Forest, has just 12 months remaining on his contract. (Daily Mail)

Holloway pledges to attack top flight

IAN Holloway won't change his style in the Premier League – his Blackpool side will continue to play all-out attack.

His Seasiders took the Championship by surprise with their adventurous 4-3-3 formation.It left them a little open at the back, but they were so potent going forward that they backed themselves to score more than the opposition.

It paid off big-time in the three play-off games as Pool came from behind each time to win.

Holloway said: "Next year we will try to attack the Premier League. I don't want to defend it, that's no good. We'll try to play entertaining football and score goals."I had a year out of football and time to think about what went wrong in my previous job. I was too fearful before in the way I managed and I decided I didn't want the players at my next club to be like that.

"Instead I wanted them to be fearless and to attack. And I wanted to entertain the fans who pay their money to watch. I don't want to bore my way to a 1-0 win. I want to win 5-4 instead. (Blackpool Gazette)

Pool release Wembley pair

BEN Burgess and Rob Edwards have been released - but they might not leave the club.

Hameur Bouazza, though, is on the way out after being given a free transfer.Holloway had warm words for the Algerian - "Hameur scored against Peterborough at home and produced a number of crosses in the matches he played" - but there's no doubt Bouazza's injury problems and his lack of time at the training ground has counted against him.

The situation with Burgess and Edwards is different. The manager admires both men greatly but didn't feel as though he could take up the options on their current contracts. That means they've been released and are free to talk to other clubs. But Holloway has spoken to both and asked them if they would consider signing a new deal.

"I have had a chat with both Ben and Rob and explained our situation," explained Holloway."We have decided not take their option for a further year, but that does not mean that we don't want them,"I have told them that in the coming weeks I am going to sit down with them and go through a few things for next season and if we can work something out I will be delighted."They are two cracking people who have nothing but a positive influence around the place." (Blackpool Gazette)

Bologna 1, Blackpool 2 - Anglo-Italian Cup Final, June 12, 1971

IT is rightly regarded as the finest moment in Blackpool's history since the Matthews Final in 1953. Blackpool came to Italy, saw and conquered, beating Bologna on their pitch in the 1971 Anglo-Italian Inter-League Cup Final. They not only subdued the opposition, one of Italy's finest clubs, but also silenced 40,000 home supporters as fanatical as any in Europe at the time. By contrast, a smattering of Blackpool fans made the journey – the rest stayed at home and watched a thriller unfold on TV. The Seasiders upset the odds to became the toast of English football.

The Anglo-Italian Cup involved half a dozen league clubs from each country and had been introduced the previous season, when Swindon Town defeated Napoli in the final. In 1971, Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, Stoke, Swindon, and West Brom did battle with Bologna, Cagliari, Inter Milan, Roma, Sampdoria and Verona.

It looked rather bleak for the Seasiders in the first half in Bologna. The Italians, so dangerous breaking from midfeld, created most of the openings and 19-year-old John Burridge, just starting out on a career remarkable for its longevity, was called on to make agile saves from strikers Perani (twice), Savoldi and Pace. However, Pace did manage to beat Burridge on 32 minutes to put the hosts in front 1-0 at half-time.

But the Seasiders stormed back after the break, turning the contest on its head.The pivotal point was John Craven's 62nd-minute equaliser, hit well into the corner of the net from just inside the box after a quick one-two with Bill Bentley. A penalty shoot-out loomed but extra-time brought glory for the Blackpool side managed by Bob Stokoe. Micky Burns struck in the 99th minute to send the Blackpool fans wild. Dennis Wann, brought on as a substitute for exhausted teenager Alan Ainscow, swept a pinpoint 30-yard pass up the left wing. Burns cut inside and unleashed a tremendous 25-yard shot which swerved away from keeper Vavassori and into the net.

Blackpool qualified for the final again the following summer, losing 3-1 to Roma in Rome. (Blackpool Gazette)

Submit Your Own Experiences Of The Tangerines!

Fellow Tangerines! If you have any personal experiences of The Tangerines you wish to have included here ... feel free to send them to us at mjhenderson_2006@hotmail.com ... and we will publish them. This could be your own account of Wembley 2010 perhaps ... or photos of the team ... whatever ... feel free to send them to us. We would love to hear from you!

If anyone wishes to be a regular contributor to the blog ... with match reports for example ... then let us know!

We aim to make this the ultimate Tangerine's Blogspot!

DJ seeks Seasiders switch

DJ Campbell is hoping Leicester City will not stand his way as he looks to secure a dream move to Blackpool.

The 28-year-old frontman ended the season on loan at Bloomfield Road, playing an integral role in a fairytale finish for the club.He plundered 11 goals in 18 outings for the Seasiders, including a hat-trick in a play-off semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest which took the club to Wembley. Campbell was again handed a starting berth by Ian Holloway for Saturday's final with Cardiff City and played his part in securing a memorable 3-2 win.

With Blackpool now preparing for life in the Premier League, and with Leicester having suffered play-off heartache in the other semi against Cardiff, Campbell is understandably keen to return to the North West.

Having been out of favour with the Foxes before heading out on loan in February, he has called on his parent club to do the right thing and allow him a shot at the big time.

"What happens next? I can't answer that yet but I had a little word with the gaffer after Saturday's game and he wants to sign me. I want to come so it is just a case of hoping Leicester don't do something silly," Campbell told the Leicester Mercury. (Sky Sports)

Ian Evatt rips into 'disrespectful' doubters as Blackpool head for the Premier League

Blackpool defender Ian Evatt has hit out at the way the club, and manager Ian Holloway, have been portrayed during their stunning charge to the Barclays Premier League.

The Seasiders are back with the big boys for the first time since 1971 after beating Cardiff 3-2 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

They are already odds on to bounce straight back down this time next year but Evatt is having none of it.

'People have been so disrespectful about us,' said Evatt. 'We were written off. They said, in pre-season, that we were relegation fodder. During the season, they were saying "oh, they won't keep it up".

'A week ago I read an article saying that we wouldn't win a throw-in in the Premier League. How disrespectful is that?

'Everyone is going to think "Blackpool are in the Premier League - how are they there?"

'We know that they are going to look down their noses at us. But it's up to us to prove people wrong again.

'The more people write us off, the more this bunch of players seem to come together and prove people wrong.'

Evatt is one of only two current Blackpool players who have survived from their League One play-off final win over Yeovil three years ago under former manager Simon Grayson.(Daily Mail)

That Wonderful Free Kick ...

Stephen Dobbie faces wait on Swansea future

Swansea striker Stephen Dobbie admits he does not know where his future lies after helping Blackpool reach the Premier League. Dobbie was allowed to join the Seasiders on loan in January despite the Swans struggling to find the net.

Blackpool went on to pip Swansea to the last play-off place and won promotion by going on to beat Cardiff City 3-2 in Saturday's play-off final at Wembley.

"I don't know what's going to happen," said Dobbie. "I haven't spoken to Swansea at all. As far as I know I'm going back to Swansea. I'm just enjoying the next couple of days from our success and we will see what happens over the summer. I'm sure the gaffer is on holiday so I'm going to make sure I have a rest over the next two weeks, enjoy my holiday and forget about football until after that."

Dobbie was a free signing by then-Swans boss Roberto Martinez just three weeks before the Spaniard left Swansea last summer to take over at Premier League club Wigan Athletic. He arrived at the Liberty Stadium with a record of 47 goals in 83 appearances for Scottish first division side Queen of the South in a two year stint. (BBC Sport)

Blackpool's road to riches: The future's, er, tangerine as Olly's Barmy Army party with pride

Like some walking, talking, animated picture postcard, Blackpool announced their unexpected arrival in the Premier League in typical seaside style on Monday.

The open-top bus carrying manager Ian Holloway and his Wembley heroes made its way south down the famous promenade, from Blackpool Tower, where the club's colours fluttered from the flagstaff, and Bloomfield Road, where Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will be among the opponents next season, towards the town's South Pier and Blackpool Pleasure Beach beyond. The sun glinted across the sea, the seagulls circled in the cloudless blue skies overhead and the people of this Lancashire resort lapped it up.

When the bus had finally made its way through the tangerine throng to Waterloo Headland, where the crowd had been watching a replay of Saturday's Championship Play-off final victory over Cardiff, the irrepressible Holloway did not need much encouragement to take the mic.
Waiting for quiet, he said: 'Where have you been all season? We have some season tickets for next year and we want to sell them all by tonight!'

The emotional boss was determined to savour the moment after rewarding Blackpool's decision to offer him a route back into the game last summer folllowing his sacking at Leicester. 'What can I say?' he added. 'I want to thank you, not just for today - this is the most unbelievable moment of my life. 'I had a year out of football and had to think about what went wrong in my life. I was given some decent values from my mum and dad in our council house and one of them was honesty and trust and loyalty, and I forgot to do all that at Plymouth. I left them and I made the biggest mistake of my life. But I ended up here and it was the best thing I have ever done.

'What I managed to do was jump on the best ride I have ever been on in my life. I don't want it to end, because these lads behind me, no matter how much we were knocked down, they get back up and now we're playing in the Premier League.

'I want to thank the owners for putting me back in work. All I wanted to do was get an environment where someone can work and feel needed and I thank every one of my staff for just that. When I turned up they all thought I was going to sack them, but no chance.' (Daily Mail)

Thousands welcome home triumphant Seasiders

AROUND 60,000 people lined Blackpool Promenade to welcome home their victorious Premiership heroes.

There was pandemonium on the streets as an army of tangerine-clad fans cheered Ian Holloway's men as they rode through town on an open top bus. The winning players displayed their Play-off trophy and shared the moment with their families, with many wives and children also on board.

At Waterloo headlands a presentation ceremony followed with Holloway leading the chanting."This is the most unbelievable moment of my life," he said."This is for you fans." (Blackpool Gazette)

Is the boss mad? Yes, but he is also a football Genius

KEITH SOUTHERN revealed Ian Holloway went from tearjerker to peacemaker to help Blackpool clinch their place in the top flight.
The Seasiders midfielder said boss Holloway almost reduced his players to blubbering wrecks ahead of Saturday's Championship play-off final with Cardiff.

But, despite taking a 3-2 lead into the dressing room at half-time, Blackpool's players were bickering among themselves - forcing their manager to step in. Southern explained: "There were a few arguments plus a lot of shouting, because we were disappointed at how we were defending.

"You'd never have known we were 3-2 up! We felt it could have gone a lot better.

"But the gaffer was absolutely magnificent. He shouted louder than anyone to make himself heard and then calmed us all down.

"He told us that if we kept playing like we had been in the first half, we'd win for sure.
"His pre-match team-talk was brilliant too. He told us how he'd been out of football for a year and hardly anyone in the game had talked to him, but how privileged he was to have returned with such a wonderful bunch of lads - and how proud he was of us.

"There were quite a few of us close to bursting into tears.

"He also told us this was our time, that we were the team in form and that we were the team with the most belief. He said we deserved a crack at the big-time as much as By DAVID FACEY anyone and it was all in our hands. It was stirring stuff. (The Sun)

I'm still in a daze...it's amazing, says Blackpool hero Brett Ormerod

Blackpool reaching the Premier League is like landing on the moon without a rocket or a space helmet.

That’s how big an achievement it is, considering this club’s resources. It really is amazing. I’m still in a daze. Emotionally and physically shattered.

The night before the game I couldn’t sleep very well. I’ve never been as nervous because I’ve never known a group of lads who deserved it so much. Then I couldn’t sleep on Saturday night either, because the adrenalin was still pumping.



Usually our three kids wake me up but I got them up at six yesterday morning. The missus got up and said: ‘Well, Blackpool in the Premier League.Blackpool reaching the Premier League is like landing on the moon without a rocket or a space helmet.



That’s how big an achievement it is, considering this club’s resources. It really is amazing. I’m still in a daze. Emotionally and physically shattered.


I still can’t believe it. She took them to bed earlier on Saturday night and I turned in about two-ish but the rest of the lads carried on with the party. It was a good night.

Lots of singing, dancing, and obviously a few drinks. After the game it was all a bit surreal. The dressing room was ecstatic and then it all went quiet. We didn’t know what to do. A lot of it is a blur and I was just walking round zombified.

There’s a warm-up room next door at Wembley and I went in there and sat down quietly trying to let it all soak in. Gary Taylor-Fletcher was next to me and one or two others came in to make phone calls.

The chairman Mr Oyston came into the dressing room and so did Mr Belokon in his tangerine suit. Not my choice of colour for a suit, to be honest, but at least it shows he loves Blackpool.

The gaffer wears his heart on his sleeve and was a bit emotional — we all were. He gave a speech about how proud he was of us. Everyone was in tears. I was choked up and I can’t remember the last time I cried. He’s turned the whole mindset of the club around in one season. We were favourites to go down and it will be the same next season. We’re under no illusions. It will be an unbelievable achievement just to stay in the Premier League.(Daily Mail)

Lifting The Championship Final Trophy

'That winning feeling ...'

It's Olly Mourinho! Ian Holloway leads his heroes to the promise land

The special one was fighting back the tears as he savoured his moment in the sun.

As he talked through his personal and professional battles to be recognised as more than just the joker in the pack, the man labelled ‘Olly Mourinho’ by his grateful players had a lump in his throat.

It was, you see, two years to the day since Ian Holloway had been sacked by Leicester City.

It was one year to the day since he had ripped up normal football protocol and contacted Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston directly after Holloway’s agent failed to find a way through.

Over a cup of coffee he convinced the club’s owner he was the man for the task. Before that cappuccino, he feared he would never get another job in football after his disappointment at the Walkers Stadium.

And now this. Glory, success, money. And all with unfancied Blackpool. Proof that there is still room for a dream or two. And what a reincarnation for Holloway, who has re-branded himself.(Daily Mail)

Pool achieve what looked impossible

IT'S May 22, 2060. A bloke with a microphone stands in the sponsors lounge of the Charlie Adam East Stand and shouts: "And ladies and gentleman, please welcome onto the stage, the Blackpool squad who won promotion to the Premier League exactly 50 years ago!"

A group of doddery old fellas step forward to rapturous applause. But the biggest cheer of all is for the man coming in last, Ian Holloway, as he totters forward and waves to the adoring public.

He'll be 97 then but will no doubt grab the mic, rattle off a few one-liners and leave everyone in stitches.

Make no mistake, for those still around it will happen.For this manager, these players, this day, will go down as one of the greatest the club has ever experienced.

We're lucky to be here, witnessing history being made.

Blackpool, a small seaside resort in Northern England (as the radio commentator sitting behind me so patronisingly put it), are heading to Stamford Bridge, the Emirates and Old Trafford. And this most glorious of promotions, achieved against all the odds, isn't just a wonderful, beautiful moment for the people of the Fylde, it is a much-needed triumph for the world of football. It is proof that in this depressing era – when money speaks loudest and the weak keep getting weaker, the rich richer – the mould can still occasionally be broken, the underdog can still make it, David can still whack Goliath on the chin and knock him cold.

Words can't describe how Blackpool fans are feeling today.

Their club is in the Premier League. (Blackpool Evening Gazette)