Pool on parade: The resort rejoices at Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League 10 years ago

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 today, we reported on the Seasiders’ triumphant parade around town as they returned to Blackpool with a place in the elite division secured...

The menu said it all. Boards of smoked salmon and Royal Greenland prawns in a lemon and mayonnaise sauce verte, with chargrilled Mediterranean Veg Bulgar Wheat Salad.

Blimey.

There was a day not too long ago when the staple diet of a Blackpool FC footballer was pie and chips. Any sauce was ketchup.

But times have changed.

The Seasiders are now a Premier League outfit and yesterday it seemed as though the whole town was out to celebrate.

It started with a civic reception at the Winter Gardens, where celebrity chef Paul Heathcote laid on that posh nosh.

Anyone who’s anyone in Blackpool was there. Pleasure Beach owners Nick and Amanda Thompson, Robert Wynne, Jimmy Armfield ....

There were dozens of important-looking folk from the council, many wearing tangerine ties and scarves – a bit of bandwagon jumping perhaps but, hey, why not?

The players nibbled on their grub while Ian Holloway and the mayor, Coun. Don Clapham, each made a speech, the latter thanking the team and its manager for what they’ve done for the town.

Then it was off on the open-top bus parade.

It took a while to get going, mind, because there were so many people to get on.

It wasn’t just the players but all their wives and children, plus the media.

“We can’t leave yet,” shouted the driver. “ We’re too top-heavy. Some of you will have to sit downstairs.”

Graciously a number of the Wags trudged down to the lower deck, while the rest of us stayed up top to get a suntan and take in the view.

At first it seemed no-one had turned up. But as the bus turned left towards Gynn roundabout, the Prom turned tangerine.

Crowds of people, young and old, male and female, lined the streets, soaking up the glorious sunshine and waving at the Blackpool players who have done what many thought was Mission Impossible and won promotion to the Premier League.

Such was the volume of people, it was slow progress as the bus ambled its way towards the Waterloo Headland, flanked by security guards and police to keep the crowds back.

People danced on the pavements, chanted songs, beeped their horns to show their appreciation.

Best-cheering-of-the-day award goes to the three workmen perched on some scaffolding 200 feet up Blackpool Tower.

Despite their precarious position, they couldn’t resist dancing and waving their arms. Thank goodness there wasn’t a sudden gust of wind.

Eventually, with the crowd swelling all the time, the bus arrived at the Headland, where a giant screen and a stage had been set up.

People had been waiting for a glimpse of their heroes since one in the afternoon. When the bus arrived it was quarter to six.

More than 60,000 people, most dressed in tangerine and waving flags, cheered and roared.

First on was the Mayor for his second speech of the day.

By now Coun Clapham was having a whale of a time. Dressed in a baseball cap, sunglasses and a scarf, he looked like Dizzee Rascal.

Bonkers.

Then Holloway took the mic. “ Where’ve you been all season?” were his first words to the crowd. Typical Holloway.

He will be most entertaining manager in the Premier League by a country mile next season.

“This is the most unbelievable moment of my life,” he added to more cheers – more like a rock star than a football boss.

“The best thing that ever happened to me was ending up at this club.”

Then he began a singsong, chanting “We are Premier League”, before forcing each of his slightly embarrassed-looking players to join in. It was great to see.

Holloway is a character the like of which the modern game needs.

He has done the most fantastic job this year and deserves so much credit for guiding Blackpool – a club going nowhere just a few short years ago – back to the big time.

The whole of Blackpool and beyond turned out to show their appreciation.