Stoke City were promoted to the Premier League when a drab 0-0 draw at home to Leicester City clinched runners-up spot in the Championship (second division) on the last day of the season on Sunday.
Third-placed Hull City, the only team who could have denied Stoke, were beaten 1-0 at Ipswich Town.
West Bromwich Albion, who had all but secured their promotion last Monday, return to the top flight as champions after a 2-0 victory at Queen’s Park Rangers put them on 81 points, two more than Stoke.
While Albion are no strangers to Premier League campaigns in recent seasons, Stoke are now looking forward to their first season among the elite since 1985 and the STG60 million ($A127.16 million) windfall that promotion guarantees.
The contrast in emotions could hardly have been greater as the 0-0 draw sent Leicester City down to League One, the third tier in English football for the first time. They joined already relegated Scunthorpe United and Colchester United.
A premature pitch invasion by jubilant Stoke fans delayed the final few minutes at the Britannia Stadium, before the final whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration.
Hull can still clinch a place in the top flight for the first time in their 104-year history through the playoffs which will also feature Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Watford, who finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
MM
Roar Rookie
Great to see the Potters back in the top flight where they belong! Hats off to Tony Pulis for resurrecting the fortunes of this great club. I was one of many Stoke fans who questioned his re-appointment but he's delivered the Promised Land and will go down in history as a Stoke legend. Next year will obviously be a much tougher caper though. Stoke's direct tactics will not deliver the necessary points next year so Pulis will need to re-engineer Stoke's whole approach otherwise the Potters are staring down the barrell of a Derby-like season. Should make for interesting viewing...if you are Stoke fan anyway. Up the Potters!!!