That Wonderful Free Kick ...

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)

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)

Tangerine History In The Making ...

Brett Omerod scores the '90 Million' goal ...

BLACKPOOL 3 v 2 Cardiff

Blackpool twice came from behind to defeat Cardiff and reach the Premier League for the first time after an engaging and, at times, breathtaking final at a sun-soaked Wembley.

The Tangerines won 3-2, with all the goals coming during an opening half of unbelievable excitement and occasionally awful defending.
Michael Chopra and Joe Ledley twice put Cardiff ahead with crisp strikes but a Charlie Adam free-kick and a close-range finish from Gary Taylor-Fletcher drew the Lancashire side level on each occasion - before Brett Ormerod struck the winner shortly before the interval with a low strike.

The result completes a remarkable season for Blackpool, who can now plan for the top-flight for the first time since the 1970-71 campaign.

It also caps a sensational first season in charge for Seasiders boss Ian Holloway, who has stuck to his attacking principles all year and did so again at Wembley by sending his team out in a bold 4-3-3 formation. (BBC Sport)