The Championship playoff final signalled the end of the domestic football season in England
Huddersfield Town, who were tipped in many quarters to get relegated this season, capped off an unbelievable season by winning promotion to the Premier League with a penalty shootout victory over Reading at Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday.
With a -2 goal difference, they have one of the worst goal differences a promoted team has ever had. They didn’t win their last five matches, and somehow managed to win promotion through the playoffs by drawing three games against Sheffield Wednesday in both legs of the semi-final, and Reading in the final.
But Terriers’ fans are unlikely to care as they reached the promised land of the Premier League in the best way possible – through winning a final at Wembley.
They now stand to make between £80million and £170million from promotion through increased gate receipts, merchandise and TV money.
It is an incredible achievement considering that financially, they are nowhere near the same level as what some of their Championship rivals were able to spend.
There is no doubt that Huddersfield will be firm favourites to be relegated from the top tier at the first time of asking.
But the West Yorkshire club defied plenty of critics this season, and with the right recruitment you never know what could happen.
Newcastle United are likely to be strong next season with Rafael Benitez in charge, while Brighton have been knocking on the Premier League door for years so they arguably deserve their shot at the big time.
Watford and Burnley are also likely to be involved in the relegation picture, although it will be interesting to see how Crystal Palace get on now that Sam Allardyce has left the club.
Huddersfield might be firm favourites to get relegated, but they won’t care right now. They’ll just be happy to be there.