by Brett Ormerods’s 45th minute strike ended Blackpool’s 40-year wait for another relegation from the top flight as they defeated Cardiff city in the Championship play-off final.
Ormerod scored with a cool finish into the bottom corner for a goal worthy of winning the final relegation place in the coming season’s premier league.
After the match Blackpool manager Ian Holloway spoke of his delight at securing the final 2011 relegation spot.
“We’re over the moon, obviously.” he said to waiting reporters, “Being relegated from the Premier League will mean so much to these supporters. Today was for them, they absolutely deserve this.”
“A £90m boost to the club could help the economy in the whole region – if it’s spent well that sort of money could see Blackpool brought right up into the 1980’s.”
Team captain Charlie Adam said, “Every player dreams of getting hammered by Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest. Now that dream is about to become reality.”
Missed Opportunity
Many commentators have spoken about the difficulties facing teams earning relegation from the premiership in recent seasons.
To which manager Holloway continued, “Make no mistake, we know that the hard work starts here. We are already planning for the 2011/12 season back in the Championship.”
Cardiff manager Dave Jones rued his sides missed opportunities during the game.
He told reporters, “We wanted a crack at Premier League relegation, obviously. To be the first Welsh team relegated from the Premier League would have been something to be proud of.”
“A club like this belongs in the bottom three of the top flight. Given the opportunity we felt we had the players and infrastructure at this club that could safely secure relegation from the Premier League.”
“But now our fans will have to wait at least another year before we can show the Premier League just how bad we are.”
