Amongst what the man with the microphone said was up to 100,000 joyous revellers, I was there to watch the victorious Blackpool FC bring back the trophy that means next season they will be playing in the Premier League.
From Gynn Square, the promenade was closed to normal traffic from 3.00pm in preparation for the open-top bus tour which would take the players through a sea of tangerine.
I was there, and I was armed with my camera.
Once the players had reached the stage, it opened with Blackpool Mayor Don Clapham gibbering on to chants of “Get him off, get him off, get him off” and “Off! Off! Off!” from the crowd. The Blackpool team eventually appeared with the trophy and Ian Holloway came out and gave a speech. He then led a sing-song;
“Who put the ‘Pool in the Premier League?
Who put the ‘Pool in the Premier League?
Who put the ‘Pool in the Premier League?
Super Bretty Ormerod!”
Cracking pictures Phil, I’m going to use one or two to promote your site in a few places. You really know how to take a good picture.
Ta. I’m just an amateur point and shooter though!
If you want the full versions without watermark etc let me know!
It was a great afternoon. The prom was packed. A few old timers told me it used to be like that every Saturday night (in Summer) up till about 15 years ago.
Don’t whisper that to Peter Callow, he’ll have flashbacks and want to create a pay-as-you go rental system for bathing wagons.
I think what this shows is that if there’s something worth seeing in town, people will come and see it. I heard a few people grumbling as they walked off saying that the event was a disappointment but what did they expect?
What did they have to grumble about? It was simply an occasion to allow the Townspeople to pay accolade to their team for the achievement.
Many of them would have made the trip to Wembley but many did not and this gave them a chance to take part.
The aim of this was to honour the team not provide a free entertainment to the masses.
Exactly. I thought it was great myself!
Fantastic photos Phil, looking at some of them you can’t have been that far from me actually. It was an absolutely fantastic event and such a great atmosphere. I like the fantastic picture of that guy sat on the traffic lights, great pic.