LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers were
crowned champions of the English Championship (second division) on
Saturday after their 1-1 draw at Barnsley.
Wolves were already assured of promotion to the Premier League
they last visited in 2004 but guaranteed top spot when Kyel Reid
got their 84th-minute equaliser against a Barnsley team fighting to
avoid relegation.
"We've deservedly won it but today Barnsley probably wanted a
bit more than us," Wolves manager and former Barnsley defender Mick
McCarthy told Sky Sports News.
"It's important to win the league and it's important not to
lose."
If Birmingham City beat Preston North End later on Saturday they
will be promoted alongside Midlands rivals Wolves.
Southampton will be playing in the third tier for the first time
in 50 years after their 2-2 home draw with Burnley ensured they
were relegated.
They will also start life in League One on minus 10 points after
going into administration earlier this month.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's son Darren celebrated
a second successive promotion with Peterborough United who won 1-0
at Colchester United to go up to the Championship along with League
One champions Leicester City.
Bournemouth were celebrating a remarkable escape as they avoided
dropping out of the league for the first time since joining in 1923
despite starting the season on minus 17 points as punishment for
failing to come out of administration.
The south coast club, who were relegated from League One last
year after suffering a 10-point penalty, were still bottom of
League Two (fourth division) in March but completed their recovery
by beating Grimsby Town 2-1 on Saturday.