Am I jealous?
Feature by Ollster
Updated Wednesday, 18th August 2010
My three year old son asked for a Blackpool Shirt for his birthday at the weekend, because he's seen his daddy wearing one.
 | Match Programme from 1975/76 |
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I got him the shirt he craved and a set of BFC pyjamas which he is currently sleeping in upstairs.
When I was three, way back in 1975, Blackpool were playing in the old division two against the likes of
Leyton Orient,
Oxford United and
Bristol City.
Growing up, I only ever knew Blackpool as a lower league team. However, my son, having only recently started to show an interest in football, has ONLY ever known them as a Premier League team. But am I jealous?
Hell no.
Standing on the terraces, amongst the thousand or so other tangerine clad fools on a wet Tuesday night, watching us draw against the likes of
Grimsby Town,
Lincoln City or
Wycombe Wanderers was character building, enthralling and downright exciting and I wouldn't have changed it for the World.
Watching a plethora of lower league legends including Terry Pashley, Mike Davies, John Deary, Colin Methven, Tony Rodwell, Ricardo Gabiadini, Keith Walwyn, to name but a few, was the thing dreams were made of.
Seeing Russell Coughlin's penalty hit the side of a supermarket at Burnden Park, Bolton's old ground before the soulless Reebok Stadium was erected, are memories that will never leave me.
Gary Briggs taking out not one, not two, but three players before finally succumbing to the referee's stay of execution and him then trudging down the old, glass tunnel behind the goal to the chant of 'There's only one Gary Briggs'.
Looking up and across in awe at those rich enough to be watching from the comfort of the 'executive box' in the South West corner, waiting for the announcement of their man of the match.
But what an experience it's been! We now find ourselves in the Premier League.
Are we punching above our weight or sleeping giants just waiting to be woken? Only time will tell.
All I do know is that it's been one hell of a journey and one which I can't wait to continue.
My son will no doubt see some barren years for Blackpool again in the future, but let's hope that for now and the immediate future, we're going to witness something really special at this club - Financial security, thanks in part to the Oyston family, and a team capable of holding their own in the best league in the World.
Holloway's Tangerine Army!
