Boozed-up Ipswich Town players slammed a Sky Sports pundit on their Premier League promotion parade, surrounded by thousands of their fans.
Ipswich’s heroes celebrated their Premier League promotion in style as thousands of supporters flocked to cheer on their boozy open top bus parade.
They also took another opportunity to mock Championship rivals Leeds United, who they pipped to the last automatic promotion spot.
One took to the microphone and sang ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ to the tune of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ – while defender Luke Woolfenden hit out at Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman for the criticism he had sent Ipswich’s way.
Woolfenden said: ‘I’ll have to sit for six weeks now, and listen to Don Goodman tell us we’re not good enough for the Prem like we did in the Champ.
Ipswich Town celebrated their Premier League promotion with an open top bus parade
Defender Luke Woolfenden (L) took a swipe at Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman while partying
‘We’re still going to finish mid-table, Don, but don’t worry about it.
‘This group can do whatever we want, man. We’ve worked so hard.’
The Tractor Boys secured their staggering return to the top-flight after a 22-year wait on Saturday following a 2-0 win against Huddersfield at Portman Road – jumping from League One to the Premier League in consecutive seasons.
In a speech to the crowd, Woolfenden, who has come through the youth ranks at the club, was asked if it could get better than this.
He responded: ‘It will get better when we have a moment’s silence for Don Goodman.’
Following a loud cheer from the audience, Woolfenden continued: ‘I think he’ll be absolutely gutted that we got promoted. He’s been calling us c*** all season.’
Players and staff wasted little time in kicking off the party shortly after the final whistle on Saturday, with the squad basking in their success back in the dressing room before re-emerging to lift their second-place trophy in a shower of champagne.
But the revelry continued over the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend and on Monday, Ipswich held an open-top bus tour around the town despite the gloomy skies.
The parade began at the stadium at midday and ended at Christchurch Park.
The Tractor Boys returned to the top-flight after a 22-year wait after beating Huddersfield
Players swigged from beer bottles and were cheered on by thousands of fans on Monday
On board, there were loud chants mocking rivals Leeds, who have to resort to the playoffs
Speaking on board the bus, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told Sky Sports: ‘It’s an incredible turnout, amazing seeing so much joy.
‘Everyone deserves it, the whole town deserves it, the players… for how hard they’ve worked. And the supporters, who’ve followed so loyally for years and have been waiting for a day like this.
‘We just set out to be as good as we could possibly be. The closer you get to the end you know you’re within reach of an amazing achievement and we’re so glad we were able to finish off well.’
The route also took in Sir Alf Ramsey Way and other landmarks and saw buses adorned with ‘The Town are going up!’ snake through crowds clad in blue.
First, the parade left the club’s Playford Road training ground and made its way to Portman Road. Players on board wore training gear and swigged from beer bottles.
Below, the crowd let off blue flares and were doused in booze from the buses.
Champion boxer and Ipswich supporter Fabio Wardley was again spotted in the thick of the celebrations and was seen raising a beer to the crowd in the convoy.
Big screens have been placed around Christchurch Park to allow supporters to watch the parade and boss McKenna is expected to make a speech.
‘I’ll never forget these days,’ striker Kayden Jackson told BBC Radio Suffolk.
Massimo Luongo hoisted the runners-up trophy into the air as players revelled in their success
The crowd let off blue flares and applauded their heroes on their route through the town
Boss Kieran McKenna admitted he is relishing the chance to pit his side against the best
‘If he [McKenna] asked me to run through a brick wall, I’d do it for him in a heartbeat.
‘It’s not lost on me what could have happened if I’d gone elsewhere on the back of what was a miserable time at the club and I’m just happy to be here with the boss to experience everything we’ve experienced in the last two years.’
McKenna, meanwhile, is relishing the chance to pit his side against the best.
‘I moved away at 16 to fulfil one dream and had to pivot on that at 22,’ he said.
‘Since then, I’ve had 15 years of work, sacrifice and learning. It’s been an incredible journey and I am proud of what I’ve achieved. I was coaching in the Premier League and Champions League at 32. You want to test yourself against the best.
‘It will be a great challenge to do that again.’
