We’ve bored our way to Premier League! – Josh Brownhill hails Burnley promotion

For exclusive stories and all the detailed EFL news you need, subscribe to The Football League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Burnley captain Josh Brownhill joked the Clarets had “bored our way to the Premier League” after a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United confirmed their return to the top flight at the first attempt.

Scott Parker’s side have conceded just 15 goals in 44 matches, including Tom Cannon’s effort to level the scores after the skipper’s opening goal.

However, Brownhill stepped up to give his side the lead once again, just before the break, with a coolly taken penalty kick.

Victory over their promotion rivals ensured they could not be caught with two matches remaining, while also sending Leeds United back to the top flight.

Emotional

“I’m speechless,” Brownhill told Sky Sports.

“All that hard work this season.

“We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring, but we’ve bored our way to the Premier League again.”

For Parker, it was a third Premier League promotion with three different clubs in the space of six seasons, after achieving the feat with Fulham and Bournemouth.

Parker replaced Vincent Kompany last summer after a chastening experience with Club Brugge at the start of 2023, sacked after 12 games, and it was clear from his celebrations how much this meant to the former England midfielder.

“It’s emotional for me,” Parker said.

“The main emotion comes from the pride I have for the group.

It feels different to last time I’ve done it.

“This group, this whole football club, from the moment I walked in, I’ve felt there was warmth, love, support, and it gave me energy.”

Challenge

Burnley will celebrate promotion but are still targeting the Championship title, level on points with leaders Leeds but with a much inferior goal difference.

Attention will then turn to next season, and the challenge of bucking the trend of promoted clubs coming straight back down from the Premier League.

“For sure, it will be tough, and I think that has been proven over the last few years,” Parker said.

“There’s a really massive challenge there for us next year.

“But there was a massive challenge for us this year and we’ve conquered it.”

Wilder hurting after defeat

Chris Wilder could not hide his disappointment after United suffered a fourth defeat in five games, with losses against Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth having derailed their promotion push before this result.

“It’s bittersweet, really,” Wilder said.

“We’re all hurting, we’re all suffering a little bit.

“Congratulations to Daniel (Farke) and Leeds, congratulations to Scott and Burnley.

“For two teams above us to have the ability to finish on 100 points is incredible, insane really.

“That shows how the Championship is.

“To pick up no points in that week of football handed the initiative over to Burnley and to Leeds, and congratulations to them in terms of taking advantage.”

Jealous

However, having the prospect of automatic promotion taken away while listening to Burnley’s party was particularly tough for Wilder, who was unhappy with the lack of protection offered to his players when Burnley fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle.

“We’ve got to use that as fuel and motivation to reset, to try to get to 90 points, and see if we can have a night like Leeds are going to have and Burnley are going to have,” Wilder added.

“I’ve felt it, I’ve had nights like this – I’m jealous.”

United must now try to end an awful post-season record – they have gone into the promotion play-offs on eight previous occasions, reaching four finals, but are yet to enjoy success.

“The club has been here since 1889, over 100 years, and there will be a time to put that to bed,” he said.

“Hopefully, the time is this season.”

READ MORE: Burnley promoted to Premier League after beating Sheffield United