Ian Holloway's pride in Blackpool fans: Ten years on from Premier League promotion

Ian Holloway saluted the Blackpool fans' backing

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, Ian Holloway paid tribute to the Seasiders' supporters...

Ian Holloway says one of the secrets behind the Seasiders’ rise to the Premier League is the support of the best fans he’s ever known.

The manager believes the backing from the stands has been crucial

Home attendances averaged more than 8,000 this past season – a 2,000 increase on the previous two campaigns – and more than 60,000 turned out for the victory parade.

“The most unbelievable thing for me is the passion our fans show,” said Holloway.

“I think of how the fans made Charlie (Adam) feel when he was on loan, how they made DJ (Campbell) feel. That was a key thing, and that’s why it was easy for me to get those two back.

“So when people ask what the secret is, it is the passion the Blackpool fans have.

“When we are called a small club it really gets my goat because I haven’t seen passion like that.

“I’m not saying other fans don’t have passion – Plymouth’s had, so did QPR’s – but I think this lot are something else.”

Holloway is planning to take a fortnight’s family holiday but first there is more work to be done at Bloomfield Road.

“I’m going to try to get the lads sorted out who have done fantastically well for us, the likes of Ben Burgess and Rob Edwards. I want to get them sorted out with deals they deserve and which suit us as well,” he said.

“I also want to look at the other players who didn’t have a rise in their contracts for the Premier League and we’ll sort them out because I think that’s fair.

“And from then on I will maybe have to add one or two to fit the criteria of the Premier League.

“That includes the likes of Stephen Dobbie and DJ Campbell, and we’ll see what’s happening with Barry Bannan and Seamus Coleman.

“But it’s onwards and upwards really as we plan for the new challenge that’s ahead of us.”