Blackpool midfielder Keith Southern has paid tribute to manager Ian Holloway for leading the club into the Premiership.

In the space of a year - and after 12 months out of the game - Holloway has changed the mentality on the Fylde and brought a refreshing style of football to Blackpool, resulting in promotion at Wembley.

Southern told the club's website: "The bulk of the players were here last season but the manager has put us in a system, a structure that has allowed us to play with freedom and a lot of attacking zip.

"He's just such a great man-manager, motivator and a real honest, down-to-earth football man. Behind this team is him, and without him we would have been nowhere near.

"He deserves every accolade that comes his way and I'm sure he'll be looking forward to leading Blackpool in the Premier League," he added.