Andy Reid and James Beattie captured by Blackpool

Blackpool have signed midfielder Andy Reid from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, while also taking striker James Beattie on loan from Rangers. But they managed to keep hold of captain Charlie Adam despite a last-ditch bid from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said a deal was agreed but the paperwork was not completed before the deadline. Blackpool had previously rejected a £6.5m offer from Liverpool for the 25-year-old Scotland international. Redknapp told talkSPORT: "Daniel [Levy] rang me late on and asked if I like Charlie Adam. I said 'yes, he's a fantastic footballer'. He said do you want him, I said 'can we get him? We pushed on and tried to do it, Daniel was confident he could get it through. It went to the wire but we missed out by minutes.' The Tangerines have also taken Zenit St Petersburg striker Sergei Kornilenko, 27, on loan for the rest of the season. Kornilenko, a Belarus international, has recently had loan spells with Tom Tomsk and Rubin Kazan and will add to manager Ian Holloway's strike options. .... BBC Sport

Blackpool reject three bids for Charlie Adam

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has said the club have rejected offers from three clubs for midfielder Charlie Adam - including a £4m bid from Liverpool. Adam, 25, has been key to Blackpool's success this term and Holloway said Birmingham and Liverpool had joined Aston Villa in the hunt for the Scot. But Holloway has described the bids for his skipper as "derisory".

"If Charlie is only worth £4m then I'm a Scotsman called McTavish. It is insulting," said Holloway. (BBC Sport)

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)

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 ...

'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)

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...

Best Newcomers ....

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)

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)

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)