'We’re going up - it's an absolute dream'

Fans said it was “awesome” and an “absolute dream” after Ipswich Town moved back into the Premier League after a 22-year wait.

Promotion into the topflight of football was secured after the Tractor Boys beat Huddersfield, at home, 2-0.

Many fans were unable to get a ticket so watched the game in packed-out town centre pubs.

Fan Phil Cox, who watched the match with his son, said: "It was a great game and we can't wait for next season. This is fantastic. This is my son’s first time in the Premier League and it’s an absolute dream."

Beverley Gedge believed wearing her blue dress was "lucky".

"I wore my Ipswich scarf last year so I must be the good luck charm," she said.

"We’re so excited and this amazing for the town. This is a massive thing if you think of all the pubs, bars and businesses - it’s going to be a massive boost."

Heidi Ellender said she was unable to get a ticket, but the news was still "awesome".

She added: "The bigger teams have spent all this money and we haven’t and we still won."

Michelle Stuart said: "The boys have all worked so hard, Kieran McKenna has done an amazing job and this is back-to-back promotions."

Rachel Aldridge, who was lucky enough to get a ticket, watched the game with her three children, and even got selfie with player Sam Morsy.

She said the atmosphere was "brilliant" and she was "never in any doubt that they weren’t going to win".

"You could see it building up over the last few weeks and the belief that the team had was so incredible," she told the BBC.

"I am so excited for next season and for what it will do for Ipswich as a town, this is huge for Ipswich.

"We’re going to have the biggest teams in the world visiting us and it’ll mean so much to Suffolk. I am so delighted."

Fan Aaron Hunwicks travelled from Hornchurch, in north-east London, to watch the game in a town centre bar. He said the atmosphere "was unreal, it was buzzing".

"It’s been a long, long time since we’ve been in this position and to be back in the Premier League,” he added.

"This means everything to us fans who have been through all the hard times and this is a back-to-back promotion. It's what dreams are made of.

"Kieran McKenna has been absolutely unbelievable since he’s come in with everything he’s done for the club and obviously the players as well, they’ve been fantastic."

He said the team had made “memories that are going to live with us forever".

Following the game, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, said the result was "an incredible achievement".

"It's elation and relief as we knew we put ourselves in an incredible position," he explained.

"We wanted everyone else to taste this and wanted to get it over the line so it's a relief."

He added that the team "deserved everything they were getting" after a spell of "really good play".

"I think we've done it right today," he added.

"Before the game, after the game and when we went back inside I didn't think [any fans] would be left but the stadium was still absolutely full."

Supporter Oscar was able to have a triple celebration. Not only was he the mascot for the game, but he will turn eight on Sunday.

He said the game "was really good" and he correctly predicted the score.

His dad, Paul, said the team had "played brilliantly all season, it's just fantastic, 24 years we've waited for this".

Mum, Ali, said the atmosphere was "electric".

Afi, 48, from Ipswich, watched the game with son Max and daughter Molly.

He said there was never any doubt about the result.

"Once that first goal went in, they were always going to do it," he told the BBC.

"I've followed Ipswich all my life with all my kids.

“Just to have them come to this game by my side, it's been phenomenally brilliant. That's what's so brilliant about this club, it's a family club we don't forget our own, ever."

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