Gary Taylor-Fletcher's epic journey to the Promised Land - 10th anniversary of Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League

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 of the club’s promotion winners reflected on his long journey before eventually reaching the Premier League...

Gary Taylor-Fletcher believes he is the very definition of perseverance.

The Seasiders striker will play in the Premier League next season – a decade after he was plying his trade part-time in the Conference and not expecting to go anywhere fast.

Even as recently as 2003, Taylor-Fletcher’s career looked in serious jeopardy, after he was released by League Two Leyton Orient.

He eventually managed to turn things around during a successful spell at Huddersfield.

Signed for £70,000 in the summer of 2007, Pool’s only pricey bit of business after winning promotion to the Championship from League One, Taylor-Fletcher, 28, has earned his success the hard way.

And it makes the taste of winning promotion to the top level even sweeter.

“Ten years ago it was Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Conference player, but I’ve slowly worked my way up the leagues and all the hard work has paid off,” he said.

“So, for me in particular, it will be unbelievable to walk out that first day in the Premier League.

“But if all the lads from the team which won promotion are there beside me, it will be even better.

“Because that’s one thing I can say, I couldn’t think of a better bunch of lads to do this with. They are absolutely fantastic.

“At the beginning of the season everyone was laughing at us, but the gaffer kept telling us that we’d go up.

“We achieved that dream. For us as players it is fantastic and, just as importantly, for the club it means a massive windfall and stability for a long, long time.”

Taylor-Fletcher is one of many players who know they will have to up their game in the top flight, not least because of who Ian Holloway might bring in.

The Seasiders boss is already being linked with a host of players, including Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, Celtic midfielder Paddy McCourt and Chelsea defender Jack Cork.

Rangers defender and Scottish international Kirk Broadfoot is another name which has been mooted.

“The gaffer has said he doesn’t want to bring that many players in, but what needs to be done, needs to be done,” said Taylor-Fletcher.

“Obviously we’re going up so he will want to strengthen and quite rightly so.

“But I also think he knows that the lads did a magnificent job for him last season and that they are a terrific group of people, so I think he will give us a chance to show what we can do.”

Taylor-Fletcher is one of many Pool lads a little wealthier after promotion, courtesy of the £5m pot supplied by Valeri Belokon for going up.

But, like his team-mates, the frontman thinks too much has been made of the cash.

“I wouldn’t say we’ll be wealthy lads and I think it will just even up what we deserve because we are not the best paid group in the world,” he added.

“It is a good bonus for Mr Belokon to give us and, don’t get me wrong, we appreciate it but it isn’t about the money.

“It is about being a Premier League footballer. We can all say to our kids when we are older that we used to be Premier League footballers and that means more than any cash.”