It’s the biggest surprise since JR Ewing got shot, but it’s no dream – Blackpool are a Premier League side. Who would have guessed the fairytale ending that culminated in the Tangerines thrilling 3-2 victory over Cardiff in the Championship Play-of final?

Of course for QPR fans it was a case of what could have been. Ian Holloway, placed on gardening leave and subsequently sacked by Gianni Paladini in February 2006, on the premise that he had talked to Leicester City about their top job, which he claimed he had permission to do, was a hugely popular in his time in charge at Loftus Road.

That’s not to say that the football was always great with Olly at the helm, but since his departure QPR have lurched from one crisis to the next with Paladini central to all things going horribly wrong. The fact that no Rangers manager has bettered Holloway’s Championship points total of 2004/05 speaks volumes.

If Holloway hadn’t have been unceremoniously booted out of the could it have been QPR and not Blackpool that he secured promotion to the Premier League? We will never know. Although one suspects that the break Holloway had after being sacked from Leicester City helped him become the manger he is today.

Blackpool may have been instilled as the firm favourites for relegation in 2010/11, but the Premier League’s collective of prima-donnas and fancy dans will not relish the prospect of travelling to Bloomfield Road next season. If this season is anything to go by then don’t be surprised if Holloway’s Blackpool catch a few of the bigger boys off guard in the top flight.

Congratulations on reaching the promised land Olly and good luck in staying there where hopefully we will meet again soon.