Holloway still has cash left

Holloway: Funds available

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Ian Holloway has not spent the full kitty available to him for player transfers, according to Blackpool president Valery Belokon.

The Seasiders initially endured a prolonged period of frustration in the summer transfer window as Holloway struggled to attract talent to the newly-promoted side.

But after the club revealed Latvian shareholder Belokon had made funds available to Holloway, players finally started to arrive at Bloomfield Road on the eve of the season.

Blackpool are widely tipped to make a swift return to the Championship following their shock promotion, with Holloway stressing the need to improve his ranks in order to mount an effective survival challenge.

And despite bringing in 12 new faces, Belokon says the eccentric boss still has money left over to strengthen his squad.

Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Belokon said: "After speaking with him, I thought 'OK I'll give him a fund'. It is like a venture fund.

"And for me what is really interesting is that - and this is the strangest thing - Ollie hasn't spent all the money, and yet we've still had the results.

Big surprise

"It is a big surprise. But if he really needs the money he'll take it.

"And Karl (Oyston, Blackpool chairman) fits into the relationship very well. It is really interesting because we have a fund so he can buy players. That is one amount.

"Then there is another amount spent on salary and wages. Karl is the expert on wages."

The cash became available after Holloway held talks with the Tangerines' hierarchy, who were impressed with the former Leicester manager's ability to groom players that were sold on for profit.

That persuaded Belokon to release money to the 47-year-old and he added: "My business is to understand people.

"I have had talks with many managers in different businesses and I have to understand them.

"With Ollie I asked him to prepare a list of players he has sold - purchase price and sell-on price - at the different clubs he has been at.

"I saw a substantial profit that Ollie has made at all clubs he has managed, maybe £10million or more."