Blackpool 3 Cardiff City 2: Joker in the pack Holloway has last laugh on his 'clown' critics

Championship play-off final

Ian Holloway led Blackpool to the promised land of the Barclays Premier League and then roared: "Don't brand me a clown".

The Seasiders' popular and engaging boss was, until Saturday, as well known for his one-liners and ready quips as for his achievements as a manager.

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But the rest of the top flight had better be braced for the arrival of Holloway and his unfashionable side after they secured the most lucrative, and the unlikeliest, of promotions with a thrilling Wembley win over Cardiff.

"I'm not a clown, I'm not an idiot and I'm not madcap," said Holloway. "I'm just a human being who tries to encourage other people and who sometimes needs encouraging himself – and I might need a lot of it next year."

Brett Ormerod scored the goal worth an estimated 90m to the famous old Lancashire club in first-half stoppage time.

DJ Campbell's run caused havoc in the Cardiff area and the ball broke for 33-year-old Ormerod to hit the 114th and most vital goal of his long career.

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Cardiff led twice through Michael Chopra and Joe Ledley but they were pegged back first by Charlie Adam's free-kick and then Gary Taylor-Fletcher's close-range header.

Chopra was also twice denied by the woodwork as Blackpool held out for a historic win.

"I can't tell you how proud I am," added Holloway. "I think our spirit shone through. No matter how many times they hit us, and we were a bit punch drunk, but we got there on points in the end.

"It's way beyond my wildest dreams that this group of players have achieved something that I think history might not see again.

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"Cardiff could score a goal against us but they couldn't beat our spirit."

Blackpool will be favourites to follow Burnley straight back through the trapdoor next season, but it will not be for the want of effort or commitment from the players, as well as a sprinkling of optimism from the boss.

"I want to win the Champions League in two years," added Holloway. "Well, that's as wild a dream as us being in the Premier League.

"But it might find a few out when they come to our ground, if the pitch is bobbly and the stand isn't quite there yet – it might find a few out.

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"Chelsea are going to have to come to Bloomfield Road, and they had better have the right spirit because we will have a right go at them – and hopefully they won't win 8-0.

"Burnley have inspired me and this lot of lads are getting that same opportunity. To be blunt, you'll probably see us take a few hammerings but I hope it won't destroy what we have got here because our fans won't get expectant, I guarantee that. They are just loving it.

"It's a different level now and the challenge for all of us is: can we move forward? But it's too early for that, we deserve the chance to celebrate and that's what we are going to do."

It is almost unbelievable that the unfashionable Lancashire side, who were in the bottom division just nine years ago, will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United next season.

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For Cardiff manager Dave Jones defeat was a bitter pill to swallow as his side failed to become the first Welsh side to reach the Premier League.

"Everything's raw," said Jones. "I wish Ian and Blackpool all the best, while we have to take it on the chin and try to bounce back. We'll live to fight another day.

"Ollie has got the prize. We went close but not close enough."

Cardiff at least have a brighter future to look forward to having fallen foul of the taxman this year, with a Malaysian consortium taking over the club and ploughing in funds.

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Jones was recently linked with the vacant West Ham manager's job but claims he wants to be in charge of the Bluebirds next term.

"There is always speculation but my heart and my mind are towards Cardiff City – maybe the new board will want a change but at the moment I'm focused on going away on holiday for a few days and then starting again."

The world in 'Ollie's' eyes...

Ian Holloway has led Blackpool to a place in the Premier League. Here we look at some words of wisdom from 'Ollie'.

On his life at Bloomfield Road: "I love Blackpool. We're very similar. We both look better in the dark."

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On securing Blackpool's place in the Premier League: "These boys will be immortal now, people will be talking about them in 40 years."

Following the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in March: "In the first half we were like the Dog and Duck, in the second half we were like Real Madrid. We can't go on like that. One minute I was pulling pints and collecting subs. The next I was on a luxury coach."

On his man-management skills: "I believe in what I am doing totally and once people speak to me they do too. I could sell snow to the Eskimos."

On winning ugly, following a QPR victory over Chesterfield: "To put it in gentleman's terms, if you've been out for a night and you're looking for a young lady and you pull one, you've done what you set out to do. We didn't look our best today but we've pulled.

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"Some weeks the lady is good looking and some weeks they're not. Our performance today would have been not the best looking bird but at least we got her in the taxi.

"She may not have been the best looking lady we ended up taking home but it was still very pleasant and very nice, so thanks very much and let's have coffee"

On players celebrating by removing their shirts: "I don't see the problem with footballers taking their shirts off after scoring a goal. They enjoy it and the young ladies enjoy it too. I suppose that's one of the main reasons women come to football games. Of course they'd have to go and watch another game because my lads are as ugly as sin."

During a bad run at QPR: "I have such bad luck at the moment that if I fell in a barrel of boobs I'd come out sucking my thumb."

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On coping with pressure: "There was a spell in the second half when I took my heart off my sleeve and put it in my mouth."

On criticism from Plymouth fans during Leicester's match against Argyle: "Apparently it's my fault that the Titanic sank."