Inside Leeds' Premier League promotion celebrations

by · Mail Online

A former Manchester United youngster was in the thick of Leeds United's promotion celebrations on Monday night, as the club's return to the Premier League was confirmed after Burnley beat Sheffield United in a crunch Championship clash.

Daniel Farke's side were on the brink of returning to the top flight after thrashing Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road just hours before Burnley's test against the Blades at Turf Moor.

It meant the Whites only needed Sheffield United to avoid victory in the evening game, and Chris Wilder's side did just that to count themselves out of the Championship's automatic promotion places.

Burnley's victory also confirmed the Clarets' promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, with Scott Parker enjoying an excellent campaign following the departure of Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich at the end of last term.

The result triggered sensational scenes outside Elland Road, with fans gathering in their thousands to celebrate the achievement as they let off flares, climbed buildings and engaged in club chants.

Social media, meanwhile, detailed the players' party, with former Red Devils star Largie Ramazani speaking to some of his team-mates with a microphone during the celebrations.

Ex-Manchester United youngster Largie Ramazani was in the thick of Leeds United's promotion celebrations on Monday night, as the club returned to the top flight after two years away
The Whites secured a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking on the back of Burnley beating Sheffield United, with the Clarets also confirming their automatic promotion
Leeds stars jumped for joy and chanted gleefully in footage shared after full time at Turf Moor

Left back Junior Firpo, who was in the Premier League with Leeds two years ago, said: 'It's an unbelievable day. I'm really happy, I just want to enjoy now.'

Harry Gray, brother of Spurs star Archie, meanwhile, sarcastically exclaimed: 'Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds are falling apart.'

Ao Tanaka added: 'I am so happy. So happy. I can't find the words'

Patrick Bamford then joked: 'The mic's not working mate.' He also spoke to the likes of Manor Solomon and Ethan Ampadu.

Ramazani was also seen dancing with sunglasses on and waving a promotion flag, prompting one fan to suggest: '(I) think we've found our new (Ezgjan) Alioski.'

There appeared to be alcohol thrown around during the players' celebrations, with Leeds sharing footage of the 'carnage' to their social media channels.

As the fans made their ways out to a balcony at Elland Road, meanwhile, to greet fans, they were met by chants of 'Wilder is a w****r', aimed at Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder. Full back Jayden Bogle was seen seemingly dancing along to the chants.

Whites manager Daniel Farke, who took over the club at the start of last season when they were relegated from the Premier League, also greeted the crowd with his hair soaked. He danced along to chants of his name with flares seen let off in the crowds. 

Ramazani also took to the microphone to ask his team-mates exactly how they were feeling
The former Manchester United youngster spoke to the likes of Manor Solomon (left) and Patrick Bamford (right) - with the latter joking that the microphone wasn't working
Players were draped in promotion banners as news of Burnley's victory filtered through
Pascal Struijk posed with Monday's four-goal hero Joel Piroe (right) following the promotion
Leeds' on-loan winger Manor Solomon also posed with a banner reading: 'We stepped up'

Leeds, who were once an established part of the Premier League during the division's formative years, were forced to endure two years away from the top flight on this occasion. Last season, their promotion hopes were dashed by defeat in the play-off final against Southampton, leading to doubts surrounding Farke's future.

But they have not tripped up this time around, securing promotion with two games to spare, and they can now prepare for life in the top flight once again.

Joel Piroe scored four goals in the first half against Stoke, putting on an exhibition for the packed out crowd who were never going to stop the West Yorkshire rain from putting a dampener on their big day.

Their team weren't either. By half-time, they were five goals up, with four courtesy of Piroe, who scored the quickest hat-trick in Leeds' history. It ended six-nil but in reality, it could have been even more.

With 89 goals in 44 Championship games, they are the entertainers and now join Marcelo Bielsa's side of 2019-20 as just the second Leeds team to secure promotion to the Premier League.

Pre-match, Farke had called on everyone from the stewards to the groundsmen to be in full voice as Leeds had 'the chance to create something really special' and achieve promotion to the Premier League for the first time with supporters - when they went up in 2020, it was during the pandemic.

They did just that, and the celebrations are full time were those of resignation, with all involved realising they were on the brink. After promotion was confirmed, he said: 'I'm lost for words, which doesn't happen that often. You could see from this morning that the atmosphere was amazing.

Leeds supporters arrived in their numbers outside Elland Road with flares and smiles aplenty
Celebrations began long before the final whistle in Burnley but soon went up to another level
Leeds are as side that many football fans think should be regulars in the Premier League
They can now prepare for their return to the top flight, having lost the play-off final last season

'94 points at this stage of the season is unbelievable. The players should celebrate, our supporters should celebrate and we will definitely make sure that Easter Monday lasts for one or two more days.

'It's difficult on such an emotional day to reflect too much but it was a long road. It's not easy to stabilise the ship after relegation, and to deal with the lost important players and a hangover from relegation.

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'I just want right now beer after beer, champagne after champagne and don't bother me about football for a few days.'

'We were not able to spend too much money and I was also a bit jealous that some other clubs could spend money.'

Leeds have been the best side in the division this season, but it has been a campaign that hasn't been without some slip ups.

In late March and early April, they won just one of seven games as their promotion push stumbled, but they have recovered to win their last four and secure promotion back to the top flight for next season.