At the start of the last football season Ian Holloway's Blackpool side, were declared favourites for relegation from the Championship, however following Blackpool's brilliant win 3-2 over Cardiff at Wembley last Saturday the Tangerine dream is very much alive as they will be welcoming Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to Bloomfield road, a football stadium which has a capacity of just 12,555 although Chairman says plans are ongoing to re-develop the ground in time for next season Barclays Premier League campaign.
As was the case with Burnley, Blackpool's late charge towards the play-offs gave them great momentum going into Saturday's final, having won nine out of their last eleven games. They blew Nottingham Forest away, winning 4-2 (6-3 on aggregate)at the city ground with a DJ Campbell hat-trick securing their place in the final. When the final came round, Blackpool again were massive underdogs but as they have proven, right them off at you peril as they came from behind twice to secure a place in England's elite League.
The game itself was hugely entertaining, and a pleasant change from the three previous play-off finals, which have provided just 3 goals between them.
It was, as Holloway promised it would be, open and exciting with both sides ignoring the pressure and putting on an attacking show. Cardiff top scorer Michael Chopra nearly opened the scoring as the former Sunderland and Newcastle man struck the outside of the post inside the first five minutes. However Chopra would not be denied as he found the back of the net following a cleverly timed run and a ruthless finish, prompting wild celebrations in the Welsh half of Wembley. However the reply from Blackpool was instant and just as deadly as Charlie Adam, Blackpool's record signing costing £500,000 and top scorer, stepped up to power a delicious free kick into the top corner of the Cardiff net, which sparked a period of sustained pressure from Blackpool. However in typical end to end fashion it was the Bluebirds who scored next with Cardiff fan Joe Ledley capping off a fine counter attack with a cool finish. But Blackpool again responded with Gary Taylor-Fletcher bravely heading home from a goalmouth scramble, having seen his well struck volley crash against the Cardiff post just moments before. This goal knocked the wind out of Cardiff and on the 45 minute mark Brett Ormerod found the back of the net, and it was fitting that "Mr Blackpool" scored the winning goal, having scored in the Third Division play off final in 2001.
Whilst Blackpool managed an average crowd of just 8,611 last season, season ticket sales have gone through the roof with fans desperate to see their heroes take on the world's best players. But, as usual, the hard work starts now for the Seasiders as new players are a must if they are to achieve Premiership survival, and while transfer funds will be available having won football's richest game, Chairman Karl Oysten has promised to secure the club's finacial future by developing a new training ground and medical facilities.
Ian Holloway has vowed to play the attractive football that made Blackpool the Championship's 3rd highest scorers with 74 goals, with Charlie Adam responsible for 17 of those goals. It is Adam who epitomises the attacking football Holloway uses, as the midfielder loves to spray the ball wide and arrive late in the penalty area, a quality which will be invaluable as the Seasiders strive for Premier League survival.
The tangerines will be amongst the favourites to go down next season, but as they have proven time and time again this season, you cannot right the Seasiders off.
Paul Seed
