Blackpool's bid for Premier League
The Seasiders are preparing for their Championship play-off final at Wembley. They will face West Ham tomorrow for what's being described as a £90million match
Latest ITV News reports
Holloway's pride
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway insists he's proud of his players despite them losing in the Championship play off final.
The Tangerine Army will have had a long journey home after seeing their side beaten 2-1 at Wembley by West Ham.
The defeat means the club miss out on making an immediate return to the Premier League.
Tangerine tears
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Blackpool stay in the Championship
FINAL SCORE: 2-1 to West Ham.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway regretted missed chances after his side fell at the final hurdle.
Stephen Dobbie's shot was kept out by a combination of West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green and the near post before Matt Phillips twice squandered opportunities.
– Ian Holloway"Sometimes in life it goes against you and it did that time but you have to congratulate your opponents.
"I thought my lot gave a great account of themselves today, we created more than enough chances to win the game.
"We lost Fletch (Gary Taylor-Fletcher) as well, he might have fancied sticking one of them away."
Holloway admitted it would be tough getting ready for another season in the Championship after coming so close to returning to the Premier League.
– Ian Holloway"We've got to get over playing in the Championship again because we were all hoping we would be in the top flight.
"They've just lost a great big bonus and I feel for them because they deserve more.
"We've got to get on and bounce ourselves straight back, it's about building now.
"But they should be very proud of their efforts, this is a fantastic group of people and I'm proud to be a small part of it."
West Ham 1-1 Blackpool
Tom Ince scores to equalise for Blackpool in the opening minutes of the second half.
HT West ham 1- 0 Blackpool
Blackpool are trailing 1-0 after the first half at Wembley. Carlton Cole scored 10 minutes before the whistle to put them ahead.
West Ham 1 - 0 Blackpool
West Ham score in the 35" min, Carlton Cole the scorer.
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West Ham come back
First real threat from West Ham as Vaz Te hits the post, high charged first 20 minutes in the Championship play-off final.
Another chance missed
A second shot for Matt Phillips falls short
Shot for Blackpool
Matt Phillip's wastes a chance for Blackpool, after getting past two defenders his weak shot made it very easy for Green.
Blackpool V West Ham
Jack Collison recovered from a dislocated shoulder to enable West Ham manager Sam Allardyce to name an unchanged side for the npower Championship play-off final. Collison scored twice in the semi-final first leg in Cardiff before suffering the injury in the return game at Upton Park.
The Wales international had been a major doubt for the final but he starts the Wembley showpiece.Kevin Phillips was recalled by Blackpool boss Ian Holloway in the only change made by the Seasiders. The veteran striker replaced Gary Taylor-Fletcher up front.