Tangerine Dream

Image via Wikipedia

was perhaps the most predictable headline I spotted in reference to Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League. Celebrations dominated the town yesterday. Even as a Forest supporter, I have to acknowledge their achievement. Next season will be a huge challenge, but the experience of promotion has obviously been fantastic for the town, and will hopefully bring some much-needed new money into the economy. Meanwhile, not to be outdone, neighbouring Fleetwood Town FC also registered a more modest success by gaining promotion from the Blue Square North to the Blue Square Premier League. Only 4 more promotions to go, lads.

As the league seasons draw to a close, it's been interesting to see that the England World Cup preparations have been much more low key this time round. Capello's regime is obviously geared to less hype and more focus. I saw the last 20 minutes of the friendly game against Mexico, and it showed England in typically unconvincing mode, although the result was a positive to take away. Whether it helped the manager to decide on the 7 players to leave at home, I wouldn't like to guess, but Gareth Barry's fitness will probably make one decision for him.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tangerine Dream: Blackpool's £90m Promotion (news.sky.com)
• Seasiders' victory parade on prom (news.bbc.co.uk)