Next Stop: Europe

It seems like only yesterday that Valery Belokon's goal of Premier League football in 5 years was met by laughter by the Blackpool faithful. But it was Belokon who had the last laugh.

In fact it was just 4 years ago that the Latvian businessman stated his ambition after investing his money in the seaside club and he wasn't afraid to spell out his next mission.

'For me it is very simple: the next steps have to be to get close to Europe and Cups, any European competition or any Cup.'

He used Fulham as an example after the London based club managed to appear in the Europa League final last season after some spectacular results against Europe's top clubs.

'For example, I feel we could have good chance to get to the Europa League at some point. Fulham did it. It means it can happen.'

He also spelled out his friendship with Holloway after spending a few days with him when his Blackpool side took on the Latvian Champions FK Jelgava losing the match 2-1.

'I have always liked Ollie, since he first put the put the words Blackpool and the Premier League together in the same sentence, He is very emotional, very clever and a good man'

He then went on to talking about the fans for which Belokon had nothing but praise for the Blackpool faithful especially the ones who travelled to Arsenal where we lost 6-0.

'I want to say I am very proud of our supporters,' he added.

'I think of the game against Arsenal when we were losing 5-0 and Arshavin went over to a team-mate to ask what our supporters were shouting.

'He was told they were singing 'we will win 6-5' and Arshavin told this story to Russian media'

Without them Blackpool wouldn't achieve what it has achieved.

But Belokon will have to be patient about his next mission as Blackpool were dumped out of the League cup to League 1 team MK Dons. The match ended 4-3 after extra time.

Oh well We still have the FA Cup to come!

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