Wild scenes as Ipswich Town fans invade pitch after sealing return to the Premier League following 22-year exile

04/05/2024 15:33

Ipswich Town fans invaded in the Portman Road pitch in celebration after sealing their return to the Premier League.

Kieran McKenna’s side needed just a point in the final day of the Championship to seal their top-flight return after 22 years.

But they made promotion certain as goals from Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson sealed a 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town, who have been relegated to League One.

And at the full-time whistle, Ipswich fans invaded the pitch to spark jubilant scenes ahead of their Premier League return.

Players were lifted into the air by supporters and blue smoke from flares could be seen amongst the masses.

The emotion from the club’s faithful and the players was clear to see as they finally ended a long wait to make a comeback to the big time.

McKenna joined Ipswich as boss in late 2021 and has proven to be a huge hit at the East Anglian club ever since.

He guided the Tractor Boys to the Championship in his first full season in charge and has now sealed back-to-back promotions in stunning fashion.

Ipswich’s last season in the Premier League came in the 2001/02 campaign when they finished 18th and were relegated.

They spent 17 seasons in the Championship and three exits in the play-off semi-finals were the closest they came to a return to the top flight.

Relegation to League One was confirmed in 2019 but their four-year stay in the third tier was ended last season.

And now they will be facing Premier League opposition throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

Ipswich join Leicester as the two promoted sides in the automatic spots, with the Foxes winning the title earlier in the week.

Leeds, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich all finished in the play-off spots and only one side will also reach the Premier League.