Ipswich Town earn promotion back to Premier League after 22-year hiatus

Ipswich Town clinched the second position in the Championship and earned automatic promotion to the Premier League for the next season with a 2-0 triumph over Huddersfield on the final day of the season last Saturday.

Ipswich and Leeds were competing for the final spot after Leicester had already been confirmed as league winners.

Kieran McKenna's team only needed a point in their last game, or for Leeds to lose points in their match against Southampton - which ended with a 2-1 victory for the Saints.

Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson scored the goals that secured Ipswich's win in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Portman Road.

McKenna expressed his joy after the game, stating, "It's a significant achievement, especially considering how much it means to everyone, the players, the fans. To lead this team is truly important. I'm extremely proud of everyone involved."

"We put on a strong performance, something we've been doing all season - and it has paid off."

"It's been an incredible amount of hard work. I'm sure it will sink in over the next few days."

Ed Sheeran, Ipswich's most famous fan and shirt sponsor, was not present during the celebrations at Portman Road, where fans stormed the pitch and lit blue flares.

The club, recently sold to American investors for £40 million, is set to earn at least £200 million in television revenue in the upcoming years.

Huddersfield had already faced relegation before Saturday due to their significantly lower goal difference compared to their rivals at the bottom.

Burns calmed the nerves of the home fans with a goal in the 27th minute, while Hutchinson added a second just three minutes into the second half.

Ipswich may have to fight to keep McKenna, who has been a standout figure in their successful season and has been linked with a move to Brighton if Roberto De Zerbi departs.

This will be their inaugural return to the highest division of English football since the 2001/02 season, as the team had previously faced the possibility of administration and financial instability, even descending to the third tier of the football pyramid.

Ipswich Town has now become the first club to secure consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League since Southampton accomplished this feat in 2012.

Furthermore, Ipswich's victory has resulted in Huddersfield's relegation to League One, alongside Birmingham and the already-relegated Rotherham.