Baggies back in the big league

West Bromwich Albion fans were today celebrating a return to the Premier League after a night of high drama at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies are boinging their way back up to join England's footballing elite next season thanks to last night's 1-1 draw with Southampton.

There were scenes of jubilation as ecstatic supporters poured onto the pitch at the final whistle when the draw effectively sealed Albion's return to the top flight.

Those scenes were mirrored elsewhere as many fans unable to get a ticket to the match squeezed into pubs to watch the drama unfold on big screens.

After the disappointment of play-off final defeat last season and the bitterness of relegation the previous year, the Albion faithful were determined to enjoy the night as they watched their beloved club clinch a return to the Premier League.

Speaking of his delight after leading his side to a glorious promotion, Albion manager Tony Mowbray said: "I generally don't show emotion outwardly, but inwardly I enjoy things just as much as anyone else and, vice versa, when we lose football matches I feel it the same as everyone else.

"I'll enjoy the moment when I get home with my family. I feel a certain warmth about the achievement of getting into the Premier League. "I've got lots of chocolate in the fridge in my office and I'll probably have a cube or two to celebrate."

It was a rollercoaster night at The Hawthorns as relegation-threatened visitors Southampton stunned the home crowd when they took a lead through Adam Lallana with 77 minutes on the clock.

But super-sub Chris Brunt secured a vital equaliser just six minutes from time to send the fans into raptures. Brunt hailed his equaliser as the most important goal of his career.

"It is absolutely brilliant," he said "It's a fantastic achievement for everybody at the club, the manager and the staff."

Premier League status will bring an estimated £62m into the club and a £20m boost to the borough's economy, according to financial experts, while community leaders have hailed the side for helping to put the Black Country on the map.

Plans for a huge civic reception and victory parade are already in the pipeline. Sandwell Council leaders have revealed that Albion's promotion heroes will be joined by marathon men Dave Heeley and Malcolm Carr – who were special guests at last night's game – in a double celebration of the borough's sporting achievements.

Thousands of supporters are expected to line the streets as an open top bus tours through Sandwell to the council house in Oldbury, where fans will gather in the town square.