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6 months ago
31
Ipswich Town's heroes celebrated their Premier League promotion in style as thousands of supporters flocked to cheer on their boozy open top bus parade.
The Tractor Boys secured their staggering return to the top-flight after a 22-year wait on Saturday following a 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town at Portman Road.
Players and staff wasted little time in kicking off the party shortly after the final whistle with the squad basking in their success back in the dressing room before re-emerging to lift their second-place trophy in a shower of champagne.
But the revelry continued over the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend and on Monday, Ipswich held an open-top bus tour around the town despite the gloomy skies.
The parade began at the stadium at midday and ended at Christchurch Park.
Ipswich Town celebrated their Premier League promotion with an open top bus parade
Players swigged from beer bottles and were cheered on by thousands of supporters
The Tractor Boys returned to the top-flight after a 22-year wait after beating Huddersfield
The route also took in Sir Alf Ramsey Way and other landmarks and saw buses adorned with 'The Town are going up!' snake through crowds clad in blue.
First, the parade left the club's Playford Road training ground and made its way to Portman Road. Players on board wore training gear and swigged from beer bottles.
Below, the crowd let off blue flares and were doused in booze from the buses.
Champion boxer and Ipswich supporter Fabio Wardley was again spotted in the thick of the celebrations and was seen raising a beer to the crowd in the convoy.
Big screens have been placed around Christchurch Park to allow supporters to watch the parade and boss Kieran McKenna is expected to make a speech.
'I'll never forget these days,' striker Kayden Jackson told BBC Radio Suffolk.
Massimo Luongo hoisted the runners-up trophy into the air as players revelled in their success
The crowd let off blue flares and applauded their heroes on their route through the town
Boss Kieran McKenna admitted he is relishing the chance to pit his side against the best
'If he [McKenna] asked me to run through a brick wall, I'd do it for him in a heartbeat.
'It's not lost on me what could have happened if I'd gone elsewhere on the back of what was a miserable time at the club and I'm just happy to be here with the boss to experience everything we've experienced in the last two years.'
McKenna, meanwhile, is relishing the chance to pit his side against the best.
'I moved away at 16 to fulfil one dream and had to pivot on that at 22,' he said.
'Since then, I've had 15 years of work, sacrifice and learning. It's been an incredible journey and I am proud of what I've achieved. I was coaching in the Premier League and Champions League at 32. You want to test yourself against the best.
'It will be a great challenge to do that again.'
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