ADAM M61 BOUND?....

Charlie Adam linked to a move to Manchester United? It seems that Sir Alex Ferguson was very impressed with Blackpool's midfielder during last Wednesday's match against United at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool totally outplayed United in the first half and much of that has to credited to Charlie Adam. Ferguson has joined the chase to sign 25 year old Adam and to pip Liverpool's offer of £4m before the January transfer window closes tomorrow. Such is Ferguson's admiration, he is looking to Adam to fill the exceptional boots of Paul Scholes. A pretty good compliment indeed. Blackpool are still holding out for a eight figure transfer fee and it looks like they'll get it. The United boss declared after Wednesday's five-goal goal thriller 'We couldn't handle Charlie Adam. His corners alone are worth £10m'. Watch this space...

LAIRY LYTHAM LADETTES....

Last night's Blackpool v Manchester United match was just too tantilising to miss  so my football-mad buddy Vic and I arranged to meet up after work for a meal and some pub footy. We met up in posh Lytham St Annes and had a great meal before heading over to the Ship and Royal which by 7pm was full to the rafters of tangerine-shirted footy fans. I'd forgotten how great pub football really is. Years ago it was small screen in the vaults and you were lucky if you hear any of the  commentary. Nowadays, selected pubs have several projector style screens with surround sound and if you're really lucky, Sky very kindly broadcast some of the matches in 3D. It's like being in a Buddy Holly convention - only everyone's drunk. 
Don't ask me how, but Vic and I managed to get right to the front, and leaning on the bar like a couple of ladettes and drinks in hand, we settled ourselves in for ringside viewing. The match started and suddenly Blackpool scored, and then they scored again. The pub erupted, drinks flew all over the place and people began hugging. Now bear with me here because this might seem a bit strange. I absolutely love Blackpool FC and how well they've done this season. Their presence in the premier league has been outstanding and fully deserved. Vic and I travelled to Wembley and saw them win the play-offs and no-one cheered harder than us two that hot and barmy May afternoon. But last night, when my home club scored against Manchester United and made them look very ordinary, it hurt like mad. My head tells me my loyalty is to my beloved Blackpool, but my heart belongs to Old Trafford. I received a million texts from mates reminding me just how crap United were and how the mighty Blackpool were killing them at Bloomfield Road and I had to agree. Then suddenly the second half started and United scored, scored again, then stole it at the end with a Berbatov winner. The pub went crazy and I went quiet. Sad for Blackpool that they made it such a great match and nearly won it, but secretly delighted United got through and are five points clear at the top of the Prem.  
And as for pub football... Love it and can't wait for the next Euro championship and England's participation and ultimate downfall in the penalty shoot-outs. Now that's enough to drive you to alcohol.. 
    

LOYALTIES STRAINED AT BLOOMFIELD RD...

When Manchester United meet Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tonight, it will be the first league meeting in 40 years. That match saw the last time Blackpool were in the top flight of English football and the last match played by Mr Blackpool - Jimmy Armfield. Two legends of their clubs, Sir Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Armfield led out their teams at that day's Lancashire derby. Charlton and Armfield were and still are great friends. They played football together in the Army during their National Service and were in the same England team which went on to win the World Cup in 1966. In those days, players from the top division were paid the same wages and Charlton has been on record as saying there was 'a great camaraderie in the game'. Not sure that Blackpool's Charlie Adam (on a reputed 10k per week) and Wayne Rooney (on 250,000k) will be able to say the same in 40 years time.    
Bloomfield Road had 30,000 fans that day cheering on Blackpool to a 1-1 draw. With their new all-seater stadium, they'll be substantially less than 30,000 there tonight but the noise and chants will make it seem like 90,000. I'm not sure if Blackpool will manage a 1-1 draw tonight but if they do, it will be a fitting tribute to the two older men and legends of the game who will watching on from the stands.  
    

TAKE FIVE...

The UK may be gripped by snow, ice and -10 temperatures, but it was sizzling hot at Old Trafford yesterday when the mighty reds trounced Blackburn 7-1. The headline grabber in today's papers belongs to Dimitar Berbatov who grabbed five of the goals. Yes FIVE. 
Berbatov is one of those players that can either be a stranger on the pitch and can sometimes be so out of sorts, he barely contributes. Then there's the brilliant side of him which we saw yesterday. He's capable of sublime goals and he's a master of his craft. Perhaps one of the most gratifying sights was the excellent partnership with Rooney who set up most of the goals despite not scoting himself, and the contribution made by Nani. And then Valencia needs to return from injury and United's firepower will be difficult to contain. Manchester United go top of the Premiership and remain unbeaten in 29 games. Title winners? Yeah, I think so. 
And over at Bolton Wanderers, the mighty Blackpool managed a 2-2 draw which again is a tremendous result against a team currently in great form and playing at home. The Seasiders continue to confound their critics and are managing some consistently good football whilst bagging their fair share of goals. 


Christmas just came early for this footy fan...

BLACKPOOL ROCK...

If Blackpool FC had taken notice of any of the pre-match talk and media speculation, they wouldn't have bothered to get on the coach bound for Wigan. Instead, they turned up, kicked the arses of Wigan and in true smash and grab daylight robbery tradition, walked away wit ha 4-0 win. Sensational start by Ollie's lads and a big warning goes out not to underestimate the mighty 'Pool. Of course, it's a long season and it's a uphill battle to keep up with the big hitters of the Prem, but who knows? A couple of certainties are that Blackpool have a fighting spirit matching with some of the best and most vocal fans in the Prem. And secondly, Ollie is always good value for money in the post-match interview. He was unusually subdued on MoTD yesterday, but expect more from him as the season progresses.  
As for Wigan. It doesn't bode well for their season or for the manager Roberto Martinez. As good as Blackpool were yesterday, Wigan were woeful. But for now... The future's bright....the future's tangerine.

TOWERING WINFERNO...

The most unfashionable team in history? A numpty of a manager? Average gates of only 8,500? All these things and more beside have been said and yet Blackpool Football Club defied all the odds and beat Cardiff City to make it to the top flight of the English Premiership. 
I was privileged to witness the 3-2 scoreline at a scorching and packed Wembley Stadium yesterday afternoon. Blackpool sold out their 37,000 ticket allocation way before the match and the fans played a major part on the day. Half the stadium was awash with tangerine. The noise was deafening and it was the most exciting and pulsating atmosphere I have ever witnessed or been part of at a football match. If a match was won by the sheer will of support, then it happened yesterday. I don't think the result was ever in doubt certainly not amongst the supporters. Even when Cardiff went ahead twice, the noise from the seasiders just went higher willing the goals to come. And boy, did they come! Cardiff were undone, outplayed and outclassed. When the final whistle went, myself and most people around me hugged and burst into tears. We'd just witnessed a little history being made for the people, the town and the club. We'd all felt part of it and drank in its success. I will never forget a scorching day in North London and watching a little family club win through and begin rubbing shoulders with the big boys in the Premiership. 
Congratulations to Ian Holloway, the Oyston family, the players and most importantly, the fans. I hope the neutrals will enjoy every minute of this season as much as everyone associated with the club. 


The future's bright... the future's tangerine  

SEA-SEA-SEASIDERS...

Blackpool FC took a step nearer the premiership today when they beat Notts Forest 2-1 in the play-offs. It's heady times at the club with the premiership getting tantalisingly closer. 

I watched the match on Sky this afternoon and was blown away by the atmosphere generated by the brilliant seasider fans. The fans and everyone at the club deserve some success - after all it's been a long time coming since the last flush of success from the Matthews and Morty glory days of the early 50's.  

Three people deserve massive credit for the latest success at Bloomfield Road... 

Karl Oyston, 'Pools chairman who has kept a tight ship and finally delivered on the new stadium which is magnificent. Ian Holloway who has managed the team through to the play-offs and has engineered the team into an excellent footballing unit (especially at home), and lastly..Charlie Adam, Blackpool's midfield talisman. He's the lynch pin of the squad, scores a few goals, takes the penalties and is not afraid to put the boot into a tackle. 

There's a long way to go yet and I really hope they do it. Blackpool hosting Man Utd and Chelsea next season? Wow, what a prospect...

The future's bright... the future's tangerine.