Blackpool chairman warns top flight not to under-estimate team

When the charismatic Bristolian arrived at Bloomfield Road last summer, the unfashionable Seasiders were being tipped for relegation to League One, a fate that Holloway suffered as Leicester boss in 2008.

Holloway's side defied all pre-season expectations by securing an absorbing 3-2 win over the Bluebirds in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final as Blackpool returned to England's top tier for the first time since 1971.

The colourful antics of Holloway have in the past seen him branded a figure of fun, but Oyston believes his rival Premier League managers would do well not to underestimate his side next term.

Many have seen him purely as a joke figure as he has courted the media in recent years, but the chairman believes he can mix it with the best managers in the country.

"He's done fantastically well this season," Oyston said. "I think people take him the wrong way at their peril because underneath the persona is a very serious and committed and organised individual."

Holloway's organisational skills will be called into action in tandem with Oyston this summer as the club prepare for their assault on the country's elite league.

And the chairman is sure the enormity of the club's achievements will sink in swidftly during what will be a frantic close season at Bloomfield Road.

"I've a stand to build and training ground to develop and players to sign, so I think I'll be that busy that the reality will soon hit home with the amount of work," he said.

Promotion is also a major fillip for the town's lifeblood, the tourism industry, and Oyston added: "We need to get in to see the council as soon as we possibly can and do all we can to keep promoting Blackpool as a place to go.

"There's a lot of redevelopment work going on up there."

Oyston reserved special mention for Saturday's vanquished opponents Cardiff, who twice took the lead in the match before ultimately succumbing to a painful loss.

"The whole thing was really nervy," said Oyston.

"It must have been awful for Cardiff. They played well and it's a horrible way to decide the whole season."

Charlie Adam, who captained the Seasiders to victory and scored his 19th goal of the season at Wembley, said: "The manager has instilled a lot of pride in us and given us so much belief. That has got to be our biggest strength next season.

"We're not kidding ourselves. We know it's going to be tough and there are a lot of world-class players in the Premier League.

"I've been to watch Manchester United and Chelsea and I know how good they are, but I'm sure the manager will prepare us for the challenge.

"Everyone laughs and jokes about Blackpool but this club is a very proud place to be right now."