FOOTBALL frenzy descended on the resort this week as Blackpool FC won their play-off in Cardiff and finally moved up to Division Two, spelling a bright new future for both town and club.

Pubs with televised coverage of the match across Blackpool, Wyre and the Fylde were packed full of tangerine supporters, who were desperate to catch a glimpse of their team's match against London club Leyton Orient.

Poulton's legendary sporting pub, The Thatched House, proved a popular venue for the jovial and well-behaved band of die-hard fans who couldn't make the journey to Wales.

One dedicated punter of The Thatched commented: "The atmosphere was more passionate and electric than a Manchester United or England game and when Blackpool equalised I thought the roof was going to come off with all the noise."

Earlier in the day a group of keen supporters from Poulton had left The Thatched to travel to the match in a stretched white limousine with a boot full of champagne in anticipation of the success and even managed to make it back in time for last orders at the pub.

Another local who is ecstatic about the win is songwriter and singer Mark Elkington and his group, Jonney Sutton and The Golden Gamblers. He released a single six weeks ago dedicated to BFC's supporters entitled Tangerine Army and is about to re-mix the song with actual recordings of chants taken from the Blackpool fans at the match on Saturday.

Mark explained the significance of the single: "The club hasn't lost a single match since I released my song. I don't want to take any credit for their success...but it seems to have been a good omen for them."

And the club will be the toast of the town at a special event being hosted by Blackpool Council. Although plans for the occasion are still under wraps, a council spokesman confirmed: "We do intend to give them a civic reception."

Blackpool Mayor Councillor Sue Wright described Blackpool's promotion as "brilliant".

"Well done to the team," she said. "I know that lots of friends of mine and a few colleagues were able to go to the match and I know that it was an exciting game."

She added: "Let's hope this is just the start. What's good for the team is good for Blackpool as a town."

Her view was echoed by Blackpool FC's sales and marketing manager Andy Morley. "Everyone is delighted," he said. "It's great news for the town as a whole. The more people that come into town and around the ground, facilities around the area are going to be used by more people."

Blackpool FC are "thinking big" he said. "We are going to have for the first time executive boxes in the new stand. New sponsors have already shown an interest, and there will be increased attendance and an increased awareness."

He added: "The football club will be something the whole town can be proud of."