The joys of English football

I can't believe I'm saying this but last night's match at Bloomfield Road offered a great representation of why the English game is the best in all the land. Blackpool FC representing a seaside town on the coast of Lancashire, well known for its amusement parks, gave the football world a roller coaster of a game yesterday evening. While, the final result did not fall in the Tangerines' favor, they and every orange-clad fan in attendance had good reason to hold their head high as they left the park.

As last year's Championship season wore on, the Beachsiders looked destined to finish outside of the coveted sixth place position and a chance at promotion. However, wins in 6 of their final 8 games ensured 70 points, just one more than 7th place Swansea City. As great of a run as it was, most pundits within the game gave them little chance to win their first aggregate tie in the playoff against Nottingham Forest, a side that had seemed a sure bet for second place and automatic promotion all season. However, two wins over 'Forest' later and Blackpool were on to the Playoff Final against Cardiff City. One would assume that celebrations would ring out through the Welsh capital on the evening of the 22nd of May, directly after the conclusion of the final. But, songs were instead being sung by the Irish Sea. Blackpool were on their way to the top flight for the first time in an astounding 39 years.

And it was this grit and the long, at times dreary history of Blackpool that led to one of the more exciting games in the Premiership in quite some time. The Tangerines appreciated the magnitude of the fixture in ways that no fans from Chelsea, Man U, or Liverpool could possibly understand. Because of this, the home side put forth an effort worth mentioning even in defeat. I don't think anyone really thought that the game was even close to being won with the scoreline at 2-0 in Blackpool's favor at halftime. But for every minute that they kept that margin, belief grew inside "the road". That's the beauty of Blackpool and countless other teams throughout England. They keep believing whether they have a reason to or not.

So, as last night's game ended on the coast with an epic come from behind 3-2 victory by Manchester United, you know there was a father who lived through Blackpool's near dive toward the fifth division who told his son to wipe away the tears and smile. The Tangerines had just played Manchester United in the greatest league in the world. And they almost won! Belief is warranted indeed in Blackpool, England.

Up the Pool!
-twil

video courtesy: Daniel Fard and Glen Kirkham
photo courtesy: Blackpool FC official website