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)

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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)