Ipswich Town clinched second place in the Championship and secured automatic promotion to the Premier League for the upcoming season with a decisive 2-0 triumph over Huddersfield on Saturday.
In a thrilling final day showdown, Ipswich battled against Leeds United for the coveted promotion spot, with Leicester City already confirmed as league champions. Kieran McKenna’s side needed just a point in their last game to seal their fate or for Leeds to falter in their fixture against Southampton, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Saints.
Goals from Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson propelled Ipswich to victory, igniting jubilant celebrations among the passionate crowd at Portman Road.
Reflecting on the historic achievement, manager Kieran McKenna expressed immense pride in his team’s performance and the overwhelming support from fans.
“It means a lot, mostly seeing how much it means to everyone, the players, the supporters,” McKenna remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. “To be one of the leaders of that is absolutely massive. It’s a wonderful day, I’m very, very proud of everyone involved.”
Despite the absence of Ipswich’s renowned supporter Ed Sheeran, who sponsors the club’s shirts, the atmosphere at Portman Road was electrifying as fans flooded the pitch and illuminated the stadium with blue flares at full-time.
The remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for Ipswich Town, a club recently sold to American investors for a mere £40 million. With Premier League promotion secured, Ipswich is poised to reap substantial financial rewards, projecting a minimum of £200 million in television revenue in the forthcoming years.
As Ipswich prepares for their return to top-flight football, the victory serves as a testament to the team’s resilience and determination throughout the season, propelling them back into the Premier League spotlight with hopes of continued success on the grandest stage of English football.