Armfield thinks small is good as Blackpool prepare for Wembley

After a strong finish to the season, Ian Holloway's side are now just 90 minutes away from winning a highly-prized place in the top flight.

Cardiff stand in their way in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday, but the benefits of success for the town could be huge.

And Armfield, who made 569 appearances in a 17-year career at Bloomfield Road, believes the fact the Tangerines only have a 12,555 capacity should prove to be no barrier.

"The most important thing in football is that it must remain a democratic league," said Armfield. "If the teams on the ladder can't get to the top, then it is not worth anything.

"That is why you can still get crowds of five and six thousand in the lower divisions – you don't get that in any other country in the world. That door has always got to be open for a team to get through. If you close it, you will close the door on a lot of football people.

"You can think of teams like Burnley, who got up this time, and I am sure it has been a great experience for them even though it is not nice to be relegated and to get a few spankings.

"They have probably stabilised the club and will go back to the Championship stronger. Next year they will be stronger again and will be able to have another bash at it."

Armfield – who managed Leeds United between 1974-78 – has no doubt a lot of the thanks for Blackpool's success this season must go to Holloway, who took charge a year ago following the departure of Simon Grayson to Elland Road.

"Whatever he has done it has worked," he said. "He is a very bubbly character and it has filtered through to the team and not only the fans, but the people in the town as well.

"He has done a terrific job and to be in this position itself is a great achievement."

Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy has urged his side to restore their battered pride with a victory when they host Dagenham in tonight's League Two play-off semi-final second leg.

McIlroy watched on in horror as his team were subjected to a humiliating 6-0 defeat by the Daggers on Sunday, ensuring the tie is effectively over at the halfway stage.

"All we can do is play for pride," said McIlroy.

"It's been a magnificent season for us. Nobody expected us to be here and all I can say to my boys is 'go and get some pride back'.

"If we win 1-0 it will be a start and the least we can do is win in front of our own fans.

"We have got to show a lot more commitment."