Ian Holloway not bothered about Blackpool winning £90m - Rise to the Premier League remembered 10 years on

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, Ian Holloway focused on football rather than finances...

Blackpool are playing for a £90m jackpot – that’s the prize on offer for the club that wins the play-offs.

Yet Ian Holloway couldn’t care less about the cash.

He knows nothing has been achieved yet and is focusing only on Sunday’s crunch clash with Bristol City, in which victory will ensure Pool a place in the top six.

Even if that is secured, there is still much hard work to be done before they can even begin to think of a possible promotion to the promised land of the Premier League.

But figures released today by sports business firm Deloitte do hammer home just what’s at stake.

“The Championship playoff winners will benefit from at least £40m of additional revenue in 2010/11, the vast majority of this coming from TV income and the rest from higher gate receipts and increased commercial income,” said Paul Rawnsley, a director at Deloitte. In addition, even if a club is relegated after one year, parachute payments may be received over the following four seasons of up to £48m.”

That’s a reference to plans to extend parachute payments to relegated top flight clubs from two to four years, due to be given the green light during the summer. Holloway is against the plan.

“I don’t think it’s fair. People can overspend in the Premier League knowing that they’ve got that money coming and that isn’t right,” he said.

“Football is about fairness and equality, and whether one team can beat another on the day.

“If that’s not the case, then you haven’t got a game. Four years of parachute payments is really wrong.”

But should Pool win promotion, chairman Karl Oyston is unlikely to be against the extra riches on offer.

“In financial terms, the play-off final offers the winning club the most substantial prize in world football,” added Rawnsley.

“It is a prize which provides the opportunity for sound investment and strengthening the foundations of a club for years to come.”

Even if Pool were to lose on Sunday, they would still make the play-offs if Swansea failed to beat Doncaster.

Holloway’s men are up against Bristol City, a side they haven’t beaten in six meetings.

Robins fans will be extra keen to upset Pool’s party – the Seasiders’ 5-1 victory over their club in 2002 prevented City making the play-offs.

Again, Holloway doesn’t care for history or stats.

He knows the fate of his team is in their own hands, and that suits him just fine.

“The great thing for us is that we know if we actually do win this game, which is a tough ask, we’re in the play-offs,” said the boss.

“That is the thing. When you stop and you pinch yourself, it will be reality for Blackpool ... which I think is completely and utterly tremendous.

“We’ve had a great season. We haven’t let our fans down, they’re jumping in the rafters.

“Whatever happens Sunday, all I want is a spirited performance.”