Inside Ipswich's dressing room celebrations to seal Premier League return

  /  autty

Ipswich Town returned to the Premier League after a long and anguished 22-year absence and Kieran McKenna's side have celebrated in style.

A celebratory pitch invasion at the final whistle took almost an hour to clear in order for McKenna and his players to return and take the acclaim in person.

And while traditionalists might have baulked at a trophy lift and medal ceremony for runners-up, you wouldn't have found a cynic inside the stadium.

While fans finally returned home after celebrating with their heroes, the celebrations are sure to have continued in the town.

The players, on the other hand, continued their celebrations in the dressing room as they sealed their return to the Premier League, with video footage now emerging.

The celebrations began with a member of McKenna's backroom staff popping open some champagne before drenching the players in it.

Cheers then followed as the likes of Marcus Harness sprayed his team-mates too.

Chants of 'we are going up' soon followed, with the players taking their place centre stage with beers in hands.

The party will no doubt go long into the night, with McKenna's Tractor Boys earning their spot in the Premier League.

Town went into the final day of the regular Championship season needing a point to guarantee promotion.

It was never in doubt against a Huddersfield side whose defeat confirmed their relegation into League One.

Though Ipswich failed to get any of their first eight shots on target, there was little panic with Leeds – the only team that could catch them – trailing to Southampton.

And when the breakthrough did arrive after 27 minutes, there was an eruption of noise before Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson made it two.

Speaking after the game, McKenna couldn't stop smiling as he said: 'It's amazing. I feel pride and a bit of relief.

'We didn't expect this to happen so fast but the players are incredible. It has been a privilege to work with them in my first managerial job.'

Related: Ipswich Town Huddersfield Town Kieran McKenna
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