Premier League won't go to our heads vows Keith Southern - 10th anniversary of Blackpool promotion

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, it was vowed that promotion wouldn’t change Blackpool’s players...

Keith Southern has vowed he and his team-mates will never turn into Premier League big-time Charlies.

Much has been made of Valeri Belokon’s £5m prize pot to be split between the squad following promotion to the top flight.

Reports have suggested some players will each receive over £400,000, one of the largest single payouts to players in club football.

But none of that matters to Southern, who insists the money isn’t an issue.

The midfielder says playing at the highest possible level, against the best clubs in the country, is all he and his Pool team-mates are interested in.

“It’s not about the money whatsoever – it is about being in the Premier League, something most of us have dreamed of ever since we were young lads,” said the midfielder.

“I’ve been here eight years and I can honestly say I never, ever thought I’d see the day when Blackpool were in the Premier League.

“It is just unbelievable. I can’t believe where this club has come, from the day I walked through the door to where it is now.

“It just shows what can be achieved with a lot of belief, hard work and good players. Ian Holloway is the man as far as I’m concerned.

“We’ve got a great group of lads at this club and there is no way we will ever turn into big-timers who won’t talk to anyone.

“I heard John Terry complain like mad about the state of the Wembley pitch after the FA Cup final – he wants to play at Bloomfield Road or in the lower leagues and see what a bad pitch is.

“I thought Wembley’s pitch was fantastic and it certainly didn’t stop us passing the ball.”

After a whirlwind of social engagements and celebration events since winning their historic promotion, Southern and his team-mates have nally been able to put their feet up for the summer.

They have gone away for their close-season breaks, many heading to Las Vegas for Rob Edwards’ stag party, and won’t be back at Bloomfield Road until pre-season training begins at the start of July.

The Premier League fixtures are published on June 17, when it’s not only the fans who will be eagerly waiting to see when Pool take on the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Southern added: “It will exciting when the fixtures come out and it will be terrific to welcome all those big teams to our place. You dream of playing against clubs like that.

“But we will go into the Premier League with our eyes open. We know how daunting it is and we know the quality it demands, but we’ll worry about it when the time comes.”

Southern is the Seasiders’ second longest-serving player and so promotion means more to him than most.

“It is brilliant for the club and the town, and it is much better than last time ( in 2007, when Pool beat Yeovil to reach the Championship),” added the 29-year-old.

“There were 60,000 fans at Wembley in 2007 but this is a whole different ball game. Wembley was full and we made it into the Premier League.

“It is the greatest league in the world and there is no better feeling than to know we’re going to be playing in it.”