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Thousands of buzzing Derby fans storm pitch after sealing Championship promotion

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Manager Paul Warne accomplished an impressive feat
Manager Paul Warne accomplished an impressive feat

DERBY fans flocked on to the Pride Park pitch after their heroes sealed a Championship return.

Needing a draw to join Portsmouth, the Rams beat relegated Carlisle thanks to strikes from Max Bird and James Collins.

Derby's Championship return saw fans pour on to the pitch eiqrkirrikhprw
Derby's Championship return saw fans pour on to the pitchCredit: Reuters
Ebou Adams celebrates with delighted Rams fans
Ebou Adams celebrates with delighted Rams fansCredit: PA
Derby owner David Clowes savours the moment with the second-placed trophy
Derby owner David Clowes savours the moment with the second-placed trophyCredit: Reuters
Warne still wears a hat despite the white-hot atmosphere as he celebrates promotion with his staff
Warne still wears a hat despite the white-hot atmosphere as he celebrates promotion with his staff

The result saw Derby ensure Bolton could not climb above them into the automatic promotion places and sparked wild scenes.

Thousands of Rams fans flooded on to the field chanting "we are going up".

It was Derby's second promotion in 26 years and comes after they dropped into League One while in dire financial straits in 2022.

Man Utd icon Rooney seen at Wigan vs Hull supporting ex-Derby assistant RoseniorMan Utd icon Rooney seen at Wigan vs Hull supporting ex-Derby assistant Rosenior

Manager Paul Warne has now led four successful escapes from the third tier - three with former club Rotherham.

He said: "You wake up in the morning and pretend like it is any other game but it isn't.

"You have to try to convince the lads to play it like any other game. That's difficult because they are not idiots.

"David Clowes brought us in - and I appreciate not the most popular choice - we've come in here to get promoted and we've done it.

"We fell short last year and we wanted to win the title this year. We didn't but we tried to get an average of two points per game which we did.

"The lads have been great. And I am really pleased for everybody who works at the football club, the fans and there is no greater fan than the owner.

"It's nice when somebody shows you that much respect and belief that you can pay them back.

"The highlight for me, and this sounds really saccharine, but when I saw David and his wife Cath, all the heartache and the stress I've taken off my life is worth it."

Bird got derby off to a flier as his curling effort gave them the lead after just five minutes.

And Collins' second-half strike saw the party really start in the stands for a deserving fanbase.

Talks set for huge shake-up that could see Community Shield played ABROADTalks set for huge shake-up that could see Community Shield played ABROAD
The party continued in the dressing room
The party continued in the dressing roomCredit: Rex
There were jubilant scenes at full time
There were jubilant scenes at full timeCredit: PA

Jamie Gordon

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