Lancashire

Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen says winning promotion to the Premier League is an "absolutely amazing" feeling and a day he will "never forget".

The 29-year-old has only missed two Championship games this season, making 42 appearances at the heart of the Clarets' midfield, including in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday to secure a return to the top flight.

"To do it with such a special group of people, not only the lads and the team-mates but the staff and everyone around the club, [I'm] just over the moon," Cullen told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We always had that belief and I think, although we've played it down all season, when you looked at the fixture schedule, you thought this game could be a massive one.

"Obviously it turned out to be a defining one for us to get over the line. I think the run we've been on, the belief we have in ourselves, we always believed we can win games and we've got enough to score goals and defend when we have to defend."

Cullen praised the atmosphere at Turf Moor and thanked the fans who have "pushed us on all year".

"They've been magnificent this year and backed us the whole way. Happy to reward them and get the club back where it belongs," he said.

The Ireland international was in the squad when Burnley were relegated from the Premier League in 2023-24 and said it made this promotion "especially" satisfying.

"It's obviously been a lot tighter this year with three - four teams with Sunderland prior - going for the two automatic spots," Cullen added.

"We've had to be right on our game and it's probably a little bit extra this time having experienced the pain of relegation last year.

"We'll enjoy this moment, that's for sure."

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End assistant manager Stuart McCall says that the controversial award of the first of two penalties in the defeat at Hull City changed the momentum of the game.

Leading by Lewis Gibson's first-half strike, McCall argued that the penalty should have not been given.

Joe Gelhardt equalised and then scored a second spot-kick to take all three points for the Tigers.

The loss leaves North End looking over their shoulders, in 18th place but only three points clear of relegation with two games to go.

The Lancashire club are also on a poor run of form, having taken only two points from their last six matches.

"The performance was OK to a point in that we controlled parts of the game and got a goal," McCall told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I'm not biased, I'll be honest when I see things, I spoke to (Hull defender) John Egan before the game today and they got a penalty given against them on Friday that was scandalous when the ball hit his face.

"Today we have had one given against us that is nowhere near a penalty kick.

"I think he gets the second one right but the big decision is the first one because it gave them the momentum."

Former Manchester City and Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart believes newly-promoted sides will take a "totally different approach" to the Premier League next season.

All three teams who have gone up from the Championship will have come straight back down for two seasons running, unless Ipswich Town can pull off a mathematical miracle and avoid relegation.

Leeds United and Burnley will face the challenge of trying to buck that trend in the 2025-26 campaign.

"I think fans are going to have to get on board that their teams are going to be looking to grind out results and earn their status in the Premier League," Hart told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club show.

"I think it has been very much shown over the last two seasons what an impressive league this is and you really have to be squeaky clean if you want to play that sort of football because you will get picked apart and hurt.

"The teams coming up now will address that with a clear game plan."

Hart said Clarets boss Scott Parker has "made it very clear he wants a rock solid team" and there is "no way he is going to come away from that next season".

"Absolutely no way, especially after what he has seen in the last two seasons from newly promoted sides," Hart added.

Ex-Norwich and Blackburn striker Chris Sutton said: "It will be interesting, the summer of recruitment, because you feel they need to be a little bit stronger at the top end of the pitch.

"It is just that first season, trying to get that foothold, just staying in the Premier League no matter how you do it, try and get over the line.

"Having a solid foundation, that is the best way to go, but it is a level up. That's the issue."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning, Burnley fans. How does that feel then? Back in the Premier League again!

You're sure to be soaking in all the glory today and you can follow all the reaction here to the Clarets (and Leeds) winning promotion.

We also want to hear your thoughts on the following:

• How do you feel after winning promotion to the Premier League?

• What was this season's success built on?

• Do you think you can stay in the top flight next season?

Get in touch and let us know what you think here.

BBC Radio Lancashire have spoken to Burnley boss Scott Parker in the aftermath of their promotion to the Premier League.

The Clarets boss said he is proud of his side after their win against Sheffield United ensured they would return to the top flight next term.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed with a stunning victory over Sheffield United earlier on Monday.

Boss Scott Parker has paid tribute to how hard his side have had to work to get over the line.

"The ambition and the target at the start of the season was to get back to the Premier League and we've managed to do that so I'm hugely proud of the squad," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire

"It's come down to real, pure commitment from every one of the players, their dedication and the sacrifice that they've made, that leads us to this point.

"In this moment, I explained to the lads, that there is emotion from me because I see the commitment that every one has brought.

"We live in a world where you win or you lose and you get judged and at the end of the season you're either promoted or not and that's how quickly people will judge it.

"I'm just delighted all that work, all that effort, all that sacrifice has been worth it and people can see it. The facts are if you don't get promoted people can see it."