Blackpool keeper's tribute to manager: Ten years on from the Seasiders' Premier League promotion

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be dipping into the archives to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks outlined his gratitude to Seasiders’ boss Ian Holloway...

Matt Gilks has saluted Ian Holloway for giving him a chance and rejuvenating his career.

The Seasiders keeper cut a frustrated figure in his first year at the club, on the bench and cheesed off.

But Holloway has done what previous managers didn’t and given Gilks an opportunity to show what he can do.

The 28-year-old has responded with some impressive performances and has been keeping Paul Rachubka out of the team.

Gilks said: “The lads are joking that I might get the ‘most improved player’ award. I take slight offence at that because I don’t think I’ve improved. I’ve just been given a chance and it’s the manager who is to thank for that.

“I didn’t get an opportunity last season, but the more games I’ve played people have seen what I can actually do.

“I don’t resent past managers. It is their decision, but I probably wasn’t given a fair crack of the whip and I suppose I do hold a slight grudge.

“I had to keep going but I did let it affect me. I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t. It affected how I approached my football.”

Gilks added: “When I was at Rochdale I played every single game for two-and-a-half seasons. Every single game. I left to join Norwich and go on to better things, but Celtic’s keeper David Marshall joined at the same time and I was on the bench for a season there.

“So that was difficult, but it was even harder when I came to Blackpool and found myself on the bench again.

“It meant I basically had two years out, but this year I am back doing what I should be doing and I am really enjoying it.”

Gilks has played his part in helping Pool barge into the top six.

He has kept seven clean sheets in his last 16 games, and after last Sunday’s play-off clinching draw with Bristol City, he was applauded all the way to the car park.

“There were people queueing for play-off tickets and as I walked past they started clapping, which is really nice,” the keeper explained.

“I also had a guy apologising for having a pop at me in the Forest game recently.

“He started telling me to come for things and I just turned round and told him to be quiet because he didn’t know what he was talking about. He actually apologised to me.”

A typical keeper, Gilks doesn’t like conceding any goals, so what did he make of Nicky Maynard’s strike for Bristol City, which caught him off his line last Sunday?

“I’ve watched the game on TV and the commentators said there was no chance of saving it,” he said.

“It came from a goal-kick, so I am not going to be back on my line. It happened very fast and it was a great strike at the end of the day.

“Then again, you get people saying I should have done my homework on Maynard because he is deadly from that sort of distance. Well, yes he is but he’s not going to be rubbish at this level is he!”

And so it’s on to Forest.

“We are confident because of how well we’ve done this season,” Gilks added.

“We know we can score and we also defend with our lives. We were sixth for a reason, not just because everyone else was poor. We are there on merit and we should remember that when we take on Forest.

“It will be a completely different game to the one a couple of weeks ago.

“They will come with a completely different mindset and it will be a lot more competitive, probably a bit more nervous for both teams.

“They are strong at home but so are we, and no matter who we play we will score goals. Our goal difference proves that.

“Hopefully we’ll get a first leg lead to take to the City Ground and then we’ll see what happens.”

But if Billy Davies has any concerns about facing Pool, he’s hiding them well.

The Forest boss said: “I like what I see here, I like what I feel.

“The players are in great spirits and the concentration is good. We are up for it.

“We will respect all our opposition but we don’t care who we face.

“Most of all, I want them to go and enjoy it because they deserve a pat on the back for getting us in there.”