Fired up for the Premier League: Leeds United fans set off flares in street party scenes as Whites return to the top tier of English football ending 16 years of hurt
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Leeds United fans celebrated their promotion to the Premier League this evening after Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield beatWest Brom, by meeting up outside Elland Road stadium.
The fans, who have waited for 16 years to return to the top flight needed one more point to be guaranteed a return to the top division. When second place West Brom lost this evening, Leeds could no longer drop out of the promotion places.
It has been a long and often tortuous road back for Leeds, who were relegated from the Premier League in 2004 amid a spectacular financial meltdown.
Leeds United Fans have gathered outside Elland Road stadium tonight minutes after they were promoted to the top flight
Leeds, who have spent 16 years in the lower leagues did not kick a ball tonight, got promoted after second place West Brom lost to Huddersfield Town
One fan, equipped with a can of Stella Artois and a face mask joined fellow Leeds supporters outside the stadium
The West Yorkshire club have spent 13 seasons in the Championship and three in League One after dropping into the third tier for the first time in their history in 2007.
Leeds’ debts had spiralled to over £100million in 2003 under former chairman Peter Ridsdale and there were fears the club could go out of business.
They were forced to sell all their players and other assets, including Elland Road Stadium and their Thorp Arch academy, and have since stumbled from crisis to crisis under a succession of different owners.
Former Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn tweeted: ‘Congratulations to everyone at @LUFC on promotion, so pleased for the management, players and most importantly the fans. The football has been amazing to watch and it’s fully deserved. Now go and win it outright!!’
Hundreds of fans made their way to Elland Road to celebrate The Whites return to the Premier League after 16 years
Some fans let off smoke bombs in blue and yellow outside Elland Road while others cradled cans of lager
Fans celebrated together on their team’s promotion to the Premier League outside their Elland Road home
Fans draped flags and shirts over the statue of club legend Billy Bremner, pictured, who died in 1997
Smoke rose into the sky as fans chanted in good humour following their side’s promotion to the Premier League