Promotion party time at Portman Road

It was certainly party time at Portman Road following the final whistle.

Thousands of fans converged on the pitch to celebrate Town’s promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The comfortable 3-0 victory over QPR confirmed their elevation to the top tier of the English football pyramid with goals from George Hirst and Jaden Philogene, in a devastating opening nine minutes, with Kasey McAteer sealing the deal five minutes from full time.

Town’s home form has been crucial in their promotion bid and the team has steadily grown since last August peaking right at the end of the season.

Yesterday’s (Saturday, May 2) game was their eighth in 26 days with three away games back-to-back … the 2-1 victory at Charlton followed by the 0-0 draw at West Brom and the thrilling 2-2 scoreline at Southampton.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna’s thought process throughout the campaign has paid dividends especially with a strong squad that he rotated on a regular basis.

It has helped to keep the players fresh in what has been a hugely competitive Championship season.

The atmosphere at Portman Road was fever pitched with a wall of noise and it continued throughout the match.

McKenna was quick to hail the supporters for sticking with the team despite some setbacks on the road.

And he also praised them for their outstanding support on their home soil.

Now it’s onto a promotion victory parade through the town tomorrow (Monday, May 4).

Speaking after the game he confessed to the finale of a long season and said it was a “great achievement” to get promoted.

He added: “It’s hard to enjoy to be honest, you just really want it for everyone else, the lads who haven’t had it in the group and for the supporters and your family it means so much. I really enjoyed winning 3-0.

“I’m really proud of my family for again the support they give me, really proud of the staff and the group.

“It’s not been easy for that group of players but they’ve really stuck at it and you can’t ever understand how hard it is to get into the Premier League. It’s a great achievement.

“What was done before will never be repeated, it was special to do it, back to back from League One with basically the same group I don’t think it will be repeated again.

“This one has been more difficult in some ways as an achievement in different ways and certainly unrepeatable and this one has been basically a completely different challenge and it has been a big challenge.

“I know how hard we’ve had to work at it and I know it could have gone in a completely different direction so I’m really proud that we have kept it together and got it over the line.”