In only four years Blackpool have fought their way up from the third tier of English football to the dizzy heights of the Premiership. They continued their glorious assent to the top with a exciting 3-2 win over Cardiff City yesterday at Wembley. A thrilling encounter which saw no less than 5 goals scored in the opening half has lead Blackpool to the big time.
The estimated jackpot of winning this promotion comes to around £90 million pounds; once TV contracts and parachute money is added into the mix. The game of football has very much become about money these days; after all it is a business, even though many top flight teams such as Man United seem to be drowning in debt. Ian Holloway himself has said how much the money will affect the area of Blackpool, a once thriving beach side resort home to many sun seekers looking to escape the cities. However this was a long time ago and with the advances in technology it was inevatale that over seas travel would take over, leading to a slump in the town which did unfortunately devestates local business. Now there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel, with presumably increased gate revenue and increased exposure of the once buzzing town Blackpool has a lot to look forward to come September.
This is a fantastic footballing story that once was a distant memory only pulled off by the greats of Brian Clough and Notts Forest, taking a second division team away from relegation and into Europe in a matter of years. Even with the ever growing money in the game, this is a feat that has not happened in years, the likes of Millwall came close making the play-offs about 5 years ago but finally we have the beautiful game back! With a team that only get paid £90 a week in the off season, only pulling in gates of around 8,000 a week it is almost unbelievable that they will be visiting the likes of Old Trafford and Anfield next season.Holloway has proved that by installing beleif with good man management, with very little money, good teams can become great. Starting as relegaton favourites Blackpool have had a steady season always in and around the play off zone. This should be a boost for any team in any league the message is clear - It IS still possible to get somewhere in football with grit, hard work, and determenation. I say with a grin on my face; the beuatiful game is still as beautiful as she ever was.
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