Tearful boss Chris Hughton said: "This is a proud moment - we
deserve to be back in the top flight. You have times as a player
you will always remember, but this is right up there for me."
The Toon sealed their place back in the big
time BEFORE kicking
a ball last night after Nottingham Forest failed to beat
Cardiff.
A Peter Lovenkrands penalty and a Kevin Nolan overhead kick
completed a happy night after Richard Cresswell had given Sheffield
United a shock lead.
The promotion, sealed in record time, sparked emotional scenes at
St James' Park and Hughton added: "It's nice to hear the plaudits
but I take them for everyone in the squad.
"I'm not even thinking about next season yet, though. We want to
win the title now after being top for so long.
"Mike Ashley went into the changing room but the scenes were quite
chaotic in there. Those are the moments you are in the game
for.
"Until it happens the whole thing doesn't sink in. I am not the
most emotional of people but even I got quite emotional.
"Will I have a coffee to celebrate? No, perhaps I will have
something stronger.
"That we have secured promotion with six games to spare is
testament to this set of players.
"This is what we have been building towards all season and I'm
delighted for everyone associated with the club."
Lovenkrands said: "This puts everything right from last season.
"I was there at Aston Villa when we went down and since then it's
been all about bouncing back.
"Some people didn't think that we could do it, but we've proved our
critics wrong."
Newcastle's instant return to the top flight means owner Ashley
will be boosted with £40m of TV money - up £8m.
Gate receipts, sponsorship deals and merchandise sales could ensure
that bonanza hits the £60m mark.
Controversial Ashley, who tried to sell the club, now looks set to
stick it out knowing the value will soar to around £175m.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell said: "Congratulations to Newcastle.
They wanted to right a wrong and if you haven't got the balls to do
it, it won't happen. But they had and it is a terrific
achievement."
