All Jimmy Armfield's expectations exceeded but Ian Holloway is wary of Wembley chants - Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League 10 years on

It’s 10 years since the greatest achievement of Blackpool FC’s recent history: promotion to the Premier League for a season feasting on unforgettable football at the English game’s top table.
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Keeper Matt Gilks' tribute to Ian Holloway

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, Jimmy Armfield was revelling in a season which had exceeded all expectations...

Jimmy Armfield said the signing of Charlie Adam was Blackpool's show of faith in manager Ian HollowayJimmy Armfield said the signing of Charlie Adam was Blackpool's show of faith in manager Ian Holloway
Jimmy Armfield said the signing of Charlie Adam was Blackpool's show of faith in manager Ian Holloway
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Jimmy Armfield says Blackpool’s “terrific” achievements this season will have stunned the Championship.

Pool prepare to go head-to-head with Nottingham Forest in their play-off semi-final first leg at Bloomfield Road tomorrow and Seasiders great Armfield said: “If you consider where the club has been for 20-odd years in the lower leagues and with the supporters starting to lose a bit of faith, it is wonderful.

“But in the last few years there has been an upsurge and this season has been beyond all expectations – certainly beyond mine and probably Ian Holloway’s as well.

“Our record in this division meant we were actually the favourites to be relegated at the start of the season.

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“So for us to finish in the play-offs has probably left half of the teams in the division totally stunned.”

Armfield made 569 appearances in a 17-year playing career at Blackpool, including their last season in the top-flight (1970-71).

He would love nothing more than to see Pool back in the promised land after a 40-year absence ... but he warns it will be tough.

“If I was an outsider, I would make us fourth-favourites because we are coming up against three big-city teams in Nottingham Forest, Cardiff and Leicester,” said Armfield.

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“But we have beaten Forest twice this season and I don’t think there is much between the teams in this division from top to bottom.

“It is all about what happens on the day and those clubs have bigger squads than Blackpool, but whatever happens they have done terrific.

“We bought Charlie Adam and that showed the faith the board had in the manager, and the new stand has certainly helped the atmosphere because there are no longer two empty sides.”

Ahead of the first leg against Forest, Holloway asked fans not to sing about Wembley! The e manager wants the focus to be on the semi-final ... and on nothing else. You shouldn’t start singing about Wembley when you’re not there,” said Holloway.

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“ We were nervous last weekend (in the draw against Bristol City on the final day of the regular season) because of what it meant to everybody.

“When we beat Peterborough a fortnight ago I hadn’t seen any set of fans enjoy themselves so much for years. They were singing about Wembley and all sorts.

“So all week building up to the Bristol City game, our lads were thinking, ‘What if we get it wrong now and blow it?’

“The play-offs are in the bag now and can’t wriggle out. The fans can sing, dance and do what they like but don’t sing about Wembley because that’s not right in my opinion.

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“Sing about our team and how well we’ve done. Keep the energy going and keep encouraging them, even if it looks terrible and we are playing rubbish. No-one can take away the fact that this season Blackpool contested the play-off semi-final.

“Well done to my brilliant players. But for us to go any further we need to be totally and utterly professional, and totally fearless.”