Ian Holloway has guided Blackpool to seventh in the Championship

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway says that the Championship club are in a stable enough position financially to start planning for their long-term future.

And he believes that they are built on solid foundations thanks only to the backing of president Valeri Belokon and chairman Karl Oyston.

"Longevity, that's what this club's got," he told BBC Radio Lancashire

"I'm delighted we've got stability and the opportunity to look around the world to get value for money."

Holloway, who joined Blackpool in May, has already turned the Seasiders from Championship also-rans into genuine play-off contenders this season.

And, having just returned from a brief trip to Eastern Europe to cast his eye over an unnamed target, Holloway admits that having the support of the Oyston family (Karl's father Owen is still the majority shareholder) is critical if the club are to build a promotion-winning side.

"Karl's always been loyal to his managers," said Holloway. "What more do you want?

"And I can't thank Valeri and Owen enough for stumping up the cash either.

"This is what the fans don't realise. They've had to put up a lot of money in every year to get where we are.

I'm trying to get the right ethos through the place Blackpool manager Ian Holloway

"When I came here I didn't know so much about Valeri.

"But, after I first met him, he was fuming that Karl had given me the job because he thought I might just up and leave.

"I told him I've been there, seen it, worn the t-shirt and I'm not going to do it."

Holloway has been boosted by Belokon's commitment to provide the necessary funds for transfers.

The Latvian millionaire injected money to the club at the start of the season and has now assured his manager more funds are in place during the current transfer window.

"There is money available to purchase the right players," said Belokon.

"Why did I create a fund and what did I get out of it? A team that is able to score and win.

"But I would stress that the main objective of the fund is not just buying the necessary players or selling them but creating a well-functioning system that could lead to the achievement of the goals we've set.

"So this is not about making a profit out of it.

"But, at the same time, if a young player receives an offer from a club - let us suppose from the Premier League - we are not going to hold him.

"Footballers' careers are short and they must use all the opportunities provided.

"But the fund is helping us create a team with so much ability and skill that the players would not want to leave."

Holloway is believed to be targeting a number of potential signings during the transfer window, although he will only focus on players with the right mentality.

"I'm trying to get the right ethos through the place," he added. "The mental shift from 'we're lucky to be here and we're over-achieving' to trying to get 'come on, let's get up there'.

"It's going to take time and I'm trying to do a decent job for them here.

"I haven't got long enough to get what I want but we've got to make sure that this squad tries to improve.

"If you rush at it you can make mistakes and cause yourself financial problems."

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