I'd come back to Blackpool after glorious loan spell says Barry Bannan: Tenth anniversary of 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 Pool loanee said he would consider a return to Bloomfield Road...

Barry Bannan has revealed he’d love to return to Blackpool if he fails to break into Martin O’Neill’s plans at Aston Villa.

The midfielder became an important member of the squad during Pool’s promotion run-in and won Ian Holloway over with his silky skills and fine range of passing.

He came off the bench at Wembley to help the Seasiders edge past Cardiff and won the club’s goal of the season competition for his stunning strike at Coventry.

Bannan has now returned to Villa, where he has signed a long-term contract but the 20-year-old loved his time at Bloomfield Road and would have no qualms in returning should the opportunity arise.

“I had an unbelievable time at Blackpool and although it’s now over, we’ll see what happens in pre-season,” said Bannan, who won favour with the fans by turning down Preston in order to join the Seasiders on loan in January.

“I am obviously going to go back to Villa and give it a go.

“But if it doesn’t work out then I’ll have to look at other options, maybe a loan move again.

“If that happens then, even if Blackpool were still in the Championship, I’d come back because the gaffer has been absolutely brilliant with me.

“All the boys have been great too and I’ve made good mates.

“So this would be one of the top options if I was going to come out again.”

Holloway would be happy to welcome Bannan back.

Despite disciplining the midfielder for a night on the town before training, he recognises Bannan’s talent and was won over by the Villa man’s attitude towards the end of his loan spell when he stayed upbeat and committed to the cause despite finding himself on the substitute’s bench.

For his part, Bannan is grateful towards Holloway.

“I can play more positions more comfortably than I could before I came here and for that reason I’d say I’ve improved a lot under this manager,” he added.

“He’s such a good boss I think Blackpool will take a few teams by surprise next season.

“We did it in the Championship and on our day we’ll be a match for the likes of Wigan and Sunderland next season.”

Bannan added: “When I first joined on loan the players took me by surprise with just how good they were and a few games in I realised that the sky’s the limit for this team.

“Wembley was unbelievable. It is hard to describe the feeling really.

“After the game we just settled down and try to take it in but it was hard because it was the best feeling that I’ve had in football. It was incredible.

“It would have been great to have been in the starting line up in the final but I broke my toe a couple of months ago and that killed me a little bit.

“I couldn’t get back in the team but I couldn’t complain with the way the boys had been playing.

“They took the chance they were given, which unfortunately for me made it really hard to get back in the starting line up.

“I just kept going because you know if you do that you will eventually get your chance. That’s the way I was looking at it while I was on the bench. I was still positive and aiming to change the game if I came on.

“Obviously you’re not happy to be on the bench but you can’t do much about it when the team are playing as well as they had been.

“It was just great to be at the club during such a good time and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.”