Billy Clarke gets head around Blackpool's 'mind-boggling' promotion: Seasiders in the Premier League 10 years on

We’re dipping into the archives each day to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, one player was determined to force his way into the starting line-up...

Billy Clarke is determined to be a Premier League success and can’t wait for the “mindboggling” prospect of pitting himself against the best players in the country.

The Seasiders attacker had an impressive first season at Bloomfield Road, though he was hit by a knee injury which sidelined him at a vital time.

With Pool in winning form towards the end of the campaign, he couldn’t force his way back into the starting XI and had to watch the final few games from the substitutes’ bench.

But there’s no doubt Clarke proved he has the potential to be a star of the future, not least the goal he scored just seconds into the Lancashire derby against Preston at Bloomfield Road.

A year after Ian Holloway picked him up from Ipswich on a free transfer, the 22-year-old – who may well have joined a League One club had Pool not come calling – finds himself about to pit his wits against the country’s best.

“When you talk about coming up against defenders like John Terry or Rio Ferdinand … it is unbelievable to think about, mindboggling really,” said the frontman (pictured).

“I could never have imagined that for a second when I signed from Ipswich.

“But we just kept on going throughout the season and kept on getting better.

“The manager kept on believing in us and that made us believe in ourselves really, and that was probably the key.

“At the final whistle at Wembley there was no surprise among our lads that we had done it because we knew we were well capable of it, and we deserved it I think.

“I live locally and seeing all the flags on houses and cars does make you feel good because it’s nice to know everyone is so proud of what the club has achieved.

“We know what kind of fans we have – they are great. And for the actual town itself it is a massive boost.

“I wouldn’t say it’s put Blackpool on the map but it will help improve the town further and is just a huge boost for the whole area.

“On a personal note it does feel brilliant to be able to call yourself a Premier League player.

“That’s obviously where everybody wants to play and it is great that we’ve made it.”

Clarke made 23 appearances and scored a couple of goals last season but was just getting into his stride when he suffered a knee injury.

“ The injury was obviously disappointing at the time but you get over those things. They make you stronger as a character,” he added.

“I intend to come back for pre-season training raring to go and take it from there.

“I couldn’t complain at all about being a substitute towards the end of the season because the lads were doing well and it’s not about me getting on, it is about the team winning

“I would have liked to have played more as a footballer – you always say that – but the main thing is that we got promoted.

“And the good thing is that we have been promoted as a squad. We all played our part and it is just fantastic for all the lads that we got there and achieved what we wanted.

“Hopefully next season we can continue to achieve things and continue to give the town a football team to be proud of.”