THE ATMOSPHERE in Blackpool town centre was electric as hundreds of Blackpool FC fans gathered outside the Town Hall in Talbot Square to honour their team.

Excited fans of all ages decked themselves out in Seasiders' tangerine, and cheered, chanted and waved dozens of flags as they waited for the team to emerge from the Town Hall.

Blackpool FC were at the Town Hall for a civic reception honouring their recent play-off win against Leyton Orient, ensuring the club's rise into the second division.

The fans were addressed by Blackpool Mayor Councillor Sue Wright, herself dressed in a tangerine trouser suit, before the footballers and club chiefs emerged at exactly 7pm. They made speeches, and treated fans to a walkabout when players signed flags, chatted to fans and posed for pictures.

Councillor Sue Wright paid tribute to the fans, and said: "It's my pleasure on your behalf to say well done to Steve McMahon, the football club, all the directors. We are all really, really proud of them.

"Next year we will be standing here celebrating the promotion to Division One."

Steve McMahon, team manager, added: "I don't think the players could believe it, the start that we had. We had faith and belief in the way we played. The players stuck with it and we got there in the end. It was a rollercoaster but we actually got there."

And he said the club might have "some good news" by the end of the week about the anticipated signing of Charlton player, Danny Shittu, who played a key part in getting Blackpool to the play-offs.

He said: "He has took to the town and the town has took to him and hopefully we can have him here next season."

Fans also listened as club boss Karl Oyston praised his club, and told the fans that the likely names for stands at the new stadium would be Matthews and Mortenson, paying tribute to the footballing legends.

Then, as the crowd chanted 'Simmo', hero Paul Simpson -- who struck home the third goal at the Cardiff stadium play-off putting Blackpool ahead with just minutes to go -- told them: "That was a fantastic feeling. The whole day was just a great day."

Fans of all ages turned out to see their team. Andy and Christine Halstead brought children eight-year-old Philip, and Rebecca, six. They proudly showed off their flag, signed by player John Murphy.

"We're really excited," said Andy. "It's fantastic. I have been supporting the team since I was nine. And the new stadium is looking absolutely brilliant."

Fan Dave Burns also chatted with players. "It's absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere is electric," he beamed. "I think they will do well next year."

But he said it was important to remember fan Andy Sharples of Highgate Avenue, Blackpool, who died after suffering a heart attack at the Millennium Stadium during the play-off. "I think deepest sympathies go out to the family," he said.

But some fans said the support could have been better. Tangerine-clad Bernard Wild, 76, said the evening was exciting, but added: "I thought it would have been bigger. I'm just sorry they did not come along the promenade -- more people could have had the chance to see them.