We're up!

29. april 2007

Sunderland were promoted this afternoon without kicking a ball.

The Black Cats' place in the Premiership was confirmed by Derby's defeat at Crystal Palace.

Sunderland will be joined by Birmingham in the top-flight next season and they will battle it out for the Championship title next weekend. Roy Keane's side go to Luton on Sunday while the Blues take on Preston at Deepdale.

It has been a remarkable story for Keane and his players.

Sunderland were second bottom when the former Manchester United skipper took charge in August and even at the half-way stage this season they were way off the promotion pace.

But an unbelievable run in 2007 has catapulted them up the table and the dream has become a reality.

Keane and his chairman Niall Quinn can now start 22322w2223w planning for the Premiership. The "magic carpet" has suddenly gathered pace.

Sunderland put themselves on the brink of promotion on Friday night by beating Burnley in a tense game at the Stadium of Light.

Birmingham did their bit yesterday, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 to move back above the Black Cats at the top, leaving Derby with it all to do.

And Billy Davies' team fell at the last hurdle, losing 2-0 at Selhurst Park. There were even some Sunderland fans at Selhurst Park, cheering on the Eagles!

The champagne corks will be popping around Wearside tonight as Black Cats fans celebrate their second promotion in three years.

Last season ended in disaster for Sunderland as they set a record low points total in the Premiership.

But the fans will go up with genuine hope this time.

It's fantastic - Quinn

Niall Quinn today thanked the fans after learning of Sunderland's promotion.The Black Cats' return to the Premiership was confirmed today when Derby lost at Crystal Palace.

The Sunderland chairman, speaking to safc.com from Ireland, said: "It's terrific because everybody played a part, non more so that Roy and the players.

"It shows you that when people put their mind to it and work as a team, you are capable of doing anything.

"It's a terrific time for the people of Sunderland, especially after the season they had last year, when they were rock bottom.

"There will be immense pride around the city tonight. I'm so pleased for the fans and there were times this year when they were the vital part - Derby at home, all those away matches when we had thousands there, even the other night when we were 2-1 down, they roared their team on.

"I'm trying to take this in and enjoy it but I'm also thinking very much about going forward and the people of this city have to realise the role they play.

"Looking back at what Roy and his staff have put together in such a short space of time, it's amazing, they are brilliant people.

"I'll celebrate with a bottle of champagne tonight with my wife and family."

PROMOTED!

Sunderland were promoted to the Premiership today without even kicking a ball.

Rivals Derby County had to win this afternoon to keep their promotion hopes alive - but they went down 2-0 to Crystal Palace and now have to be content with a place in the play-offs.

Rivals Derby County had to win this afternoon to keep their promotion hopes alive - but they went down 2-0 to Crystal Palace and now have to be content with a place in the play-offs.

The defeat means Sunderland and Birmingham City are promoted to England's top flight at the first attempt, after both falling through the Premiership trap door last season.

Thousands of supporters packed into pubs praying the Eagles could pull of a win and as the final whistle sounded at Selhurst Park there were scenes of joy across Wearside.

One Sunderland fan had even sneaked into the Derby and Crystal Palace game and jumped for joy when his team's promotion success was confirmed.

Pictures on Sky Sports showed him celebrating with Palace fans as goals from Clinton Morrison and Mark Kennedy condemned Derby to defeat.

Sunderland's promotion completes a remarkable turnaround in the Black Cats' fortunes - when Roy Keane took charge at the end of August the club was second bottom after losing four of their first five games.

But an unbeaten 17-game run from the start of 2007 saw the team catch up with, and pass their promotion rivals.

Now they can look forward to a bumper pay packet after securing a place in the big league next season when Sky TV revenue will rise to a guaranteed £30million for each club.

Chairman Niall Quinn said: "It's terrific because everybody played a part, none more so than Roy and the players.

"It's a terrific time for the people of Sunderland, especially after the season they had last year when they were rock bottom.

"There will be immense pride around the city tonight. I'm so pleased for the fans.

"I'm trying to take this in and enjoy it but I'm also thinking very much about going forward and the people of this city have to realise the role they'll play.

"I'll celebrate with a bottle of champagne tonight with my wife and family."

Carlos Edwards, who struck Sunderland's winning goal against Burnley on Friday, added: "It feels wonderful. I watched the (Derby) game very tentatively, but will now enjoy my weekend.

"Now it's important to win

the title. I will be much happier if I get a winners' medal at the end of the season."

He said Roy Keane's legendary profile in the game had inspired the team's meteoric rise up the table.

"The calibre of the man is second to none. The players want to emulate what he has done. We know he will not accept second best and we go out in every game to give our best."

Sunderland currently sit second in the Championship, trailing leaders Birmingham City by one point.

The two teams will battle it out for the title next weekend when Roy Keane's side travel to relegated Luton Town and Birmingham travel to Deepdale to Preston North End, who are bidding for a place in the play-offs.

Send us your messages of congratulations to The Lads.

Congratulations for the promotion. This has been one of the most superb season I ever can remeber since I've became a safc-supporter. From being

second last to finishing with promotion in same season, is for me one of the greatest moments as a Safc-supporter! All honor to Roy Keane and Niall Quinn. And of course a BIG congratulations to the Lads with an outstanding performance all the way to the end! Wish you all a glorying time in prospective Premier League season!!!