Blackpool Vital Welcomes Paul Ince.

Cast our minds back to the Summer of 2009. Simon Grayson (whatever happened to him?) had left us piled high and deep months earlier, we then had a caretaker duo of Tony Parkes and Steve Thompson who some how managed to pull off Championship survival. They were helped by unearthing some loan star gems, notably Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell. At the end of the season, the ubiquitous PR calamity - Karl Oyston announcing that Tony Parkes would not be staying, he was leaving to care for his wife who was very ill. On the other hand, Tony Parkes rubbished this suggestion, laying the blame at the derisory offer put to him.

Either way, for months we were effectively, well, rudderless. All manner of people were linked and then... A press conference was called and it was announced that Ian Holloway was taking over. A man who had endured an enforced sabbatical, an up and down managerial career, but a new found vision. 365 days later, Blackpool gained promotion to the Premier League.

And so again after a rudderless period, we welcome Paul Ince. As a player, he did the lot. He never shirked controversy. He played under, dare we say it, the best manager of his generation, captained England as well as playing for Inter Milan. We shall skip the centre circle/Euro 96 moment, but his playing career was impressive. His managerial; the cliched roller coaster.

But hey, the Universe sometimes conspires. A manager who has watched every game. Knows the set up and has something to prove.

Lets be honest, the squad, whilst bloated is still a good one. By default, the pitch will improve on coming weeks, and a few wins can catapult us up the league. Good things could still happen.

So, Blackpool Vital welcomes Paul Ince. Our fans will be behind you tomorrow night and a raucous welcome awaits at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. Tell us we are getting promoted, then make it happen!

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