Fookin' Burnley Son

Charlie Klein

I personally hope they make a movie of this. Burnley FC, of Burnley, England have achieved promotion in fantastic fashion by knocking out heavily favoured Sheffield United 1-0 at Wembley Stadium in London. The Clarets, one of the founding members of the Football League, are back in the top flight following a wonderstrike from Wade Elliott in the 13th minute. Their promotion ensures the club to make 60 million pounds next term.

For Americans unfamiliar with English Football, each season three of the worst teams points-wise in the top division are relegated to the second divisoin, and three teams are promoted from the second division to fill the vacated spots. The top two from the Coca Cola Championship are guaranteed promotion whilst third, fourth, fifth, and sixth are doomed to a playoff in order to decide who is awarded the third promotion slot. Burnley, who finished fifth in regular season play, came out on top today, but not without a few upsets along the way. Over two legs, the Clarets defeated Reading, who was the four seed three nil on aggregate.

Burnley was not the team that was supposed to be promoted. Sheffield United have harboured a belief that they should already be in the Premier League after the shady transfer of Carlos Tevez to West Ham allowed the Hammers to remain in the Premier League whilst condemning Sheffield United to the drop. This time, however, it was a wonder goal from Elliott that tickled the upper 90 of the right side of Sheffield Keeper Patrick Kenny's net that denied Sheffield United a place in English Football's promised land.

Clarets manager Owen Coyle said: ''We've got a great adventure to look forward to. I think you've seen the effort the players gave today, it was great game, end-to-end - and we had chances to put the game to bed.''We don't have quantity but I believe we have quality - I'm obviously delighted with what we've achieved today. I'm immensely proud and delighted for everyone in the town

Goalscorer Wade Elliott commented, ''I think it will take a little while for it to sink in - but I'm delighted for all the lads.Asked whether his goal was the best of his career, the midfielder added on Sky Sports 1: ''In terms of importance - no contest. It's far and away the best goal I'll ever score, probably.

Burnley, a town of 73,000 inhabitants, will certainly enjoy its time in the sun, and perhaps manage to remain there. Look at Stoke City, who scraped 12th place as a newly promoted side in the English Premiership.

Man of the match Clarke Carlisle added on Sky Sports 1: ''I'm privileged to be a member of this magnificent team.''What a season, words can't describe how brilliant and awesome an achievement this is. I thank God so much, I'm blessed to be a part of this team. It's just unbelievable, what an awesome day.''