Leeds fans scaled buildings, let off flares and partied into the night after promotion to the Premier League was confirmed on Monday.
Leeds returned to the top flight at the first time of asking as they hammered Stoke City 6-0 before Burnley’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United confirmed their promotion and sparked joyous scenes.
Former Manchester United academy hope Largie Ramazani was front and centre in the celebrations, dancing while clutching a flag as he was cheered on.
🤣 LARGIE RAMAZANI! pic.twitter.com/8krWIxE9ZZ
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 21, 2025
As players and fans mixed in a pub as Burnley’s win confirmed promotion, champagne corks flew as the players enjoyed the celebrations.
🎤 “The mic’s not working mate!”@LRamazani88 the @LUFC reporter!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionshippic.twitter.com/9Es9qxBUlW
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) April 21, 2025
Harry Gray, the younger brother of former Leeds player Archie, said sarcastically: “Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds are falling apart,” in reference to a chant sung by rivals when Leeds falter.
Pascal Struijk and Manor Solomon were among those to pose with banners including “Promoted!” and “We stepped up!” and manager Daniel Farke waved to thousands of fans from a balcony as he was serenaded.
Outside on the streets around Elland Road, fans scaled buildings with a group standing on top of a chicken shop to get the best vantage point.
Farke, who swigged from a bottle of beer, celebrated Leeds United’s promotion at an emotional Elland Road and proudly declared: “It’s where this club belongs.”
Players at Elland Road were met with a series of chants including “Wilder is a w—–”, aimed at Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.
It was a sweet moment for Farke, who clinched his third managerial promotion from the Championship after two previous successes with Norwich City.
The German twice took Norwich up as title winners but fell just short in his debut campaign at Elland Road last term, losing the play-off final 1-0 to Southampton.
After making it second time lucky, a delighted Farke said: “One of the key reasons I came here stemmed from my second year at Norwich – Leeds had such a good team and Elland Road was buzzing with all the white scarves. You could feel there is something really special about this place.
“I thought ‘one day I would like to be in charge to channel the emotions and bring this club back to where it belongs’. Sadly it was not possible to bring this club back [to the Premier League] last season, but there’s a great mentality within this group.
“It’s an impressive achievement to be on 94 points and 89 goals is also right up with two games to play. We’re hard to beat and scoring goals for fun. Perhaps the fans are creating a few new songs now and thinking about how to spend the evening.”
Farke’s players watched the Burnley-Sheffield United game in a suite at Elland Road. The last time Leeds reached the Premier League, under Marcelo Bielsa in 2019-20, fans were not able to celebrate in person because of the pandemic.
PARTY TIME AT TURF MOOR AND ELLAND ROAD! 🎆
Burnley and Leeds are back in the Premier League! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/8JyKu5jHlD
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
Farke added: “In the last 21 years we have spent only three seasons in the Premier League but, like I say, this club belongs there.”
The Leeds manager is expected to be handed major funds to strengthen his squad this summer, but played down his celebrations with the title all still to play for.
The 48-year-old added with a smile: “I normally celebrate with cake and coffee on the sofa because I’m at an age where I’m pretty tired. What we have achieved with hard work and proper football is second to none. The praise goes to the players.”
Leeds defender Joe Rodon said: “Since I came here at the start of last season, I’ve just had that connection with the fans. They’re the 12th man for us and the atmosphere today was incredible – I couldn’t hear myself think.
“We’re just delighted to get over the line and are ready to celebrate now.”
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu said: “We learnt from the experience of last year and to get into this position was our main focus. Now it’s done, we can celebrate.”
On-loan Tottenham winger Solomon, whose move could now be made permanent, said: “This is why I came to Leeds. I took a risk but it has paid off and I’m so happy, I can’t find the words to describe it. We had some ups and downs but we never stopped and deserve to go up.”
Paraag Marathe, the Leeds chairman, echoed Farke’s sentiments. He said: “The Premier League is where Leeds belongs, and our goal is to establish a long-term presence there. With that in mind, we have been quietly preparing the club for this moment. The road ahead won’t be easy, but we are ready to step confidently into this next chapter.”
As Leeds strive to win the title, Marathe added: “We still have a chance to finish this season with a trophy. Let’s show the squad we are behind them over the final two matches.”
Place back among elite confirmed
Not for decades have Leeds United had an occasion like this in front of a full Elland Road. Not since those heady days when they reached the 2000-01 Champions League semi-finals under David O’Leary has this famous old club experienced such delight.
It explains much; the fervour, the passion, and the almost deafening roar that greeted each goal in a win that sends Daniel Farke’s men back to the Premier League.
Leeds’ teamwork was peerless, their conviction unshakeable as they reduced Stoke City to rubble, much to the elation of an emotionally fraught home crowd.
Joel Piroe scored four goals during the first half, including three inside the first 20 minutes to mark the fastest league hat-trick ever scored by a Leeds player and leave the home fans singing the “Leeds are falling apart” rendition of Joy Division, which has long been sung by jibing away supporters, in irony.
Leeds take the lead against Stoke through Joel Piroe ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V31ow2Ko7v
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
“This is how it feels to be champions, this is how it feels to be Leeds, this is how it feels when you’re going to the Premier League,” sang the home faithful with gusto.
The Championship title – a feat Farke twice achieved with Norwich City – can wait, but Leeds’ place back among the elite is now confirmed.
They wobbled recently with three successive draws, but Farke held his nerve and a fourth straight win vindicated his recent claim that promotion would be secured.
“When you work for such an emotional club, after every draw everyone is panicking,” Farke said. “You don’t have to just lead the players but the fans, the journalists and the pundits.
“You have to show some steel sometimes and normally I don’t like to speak about promotion in public, but I sensed this was the time. But I would never lie so if I didn’t deeply believe this I would never say it.
“I know what’s necessary to win a title and what effect such a nervy period has on the group. We’ve been working on a winning mentality since the first day I arrived.”
When the Yorkshire giants reached the top flight under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, it was achieved behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And so those Leeds fans who had waited 16 years to see their team back in the top flight were cruelly denied the chance to be invited to the promotion party.
Five years on, and a raucous Elland Road felt like it was making up for lost time.
When the Leeds anthem Marching on Together was played on the public address system before kick-off, the home fans belted out the lyrics with almost religious zeal.
The desire from the stands transmitted itself to the pitch, where Farke’s players proceeded to obliterate Stoke in double-quick time.
Piroe tapped home a sixth-minute opener after good work from Wilfried Gnonto and Manor Solomon before grabbing his second again two minutes later with another clinical finish.
“Sheer ECSTASY at Elland Road!” 🎙️
No sooner had Joel Piroe finished celebrating his first, he doubles his tally and Leeds United are in DREAMLAND! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/7UFRG8IDm1
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
Remarkably, he completed his hat-trick with a superb left-foot finish in the 20th minute and Junior Firpo then saw his shot apologetically loop into the net.
Piroe reclaimed centre stage six minutes later with his fourth to make 5-0 at the break. Gnonto, who caused havoc down the right flank in front of Jayden Bogle, then headed in a left-wing cross from Solomon to make it 6-0.
“Stoke simply have no answer to this Leeds attacking machine” 💨
Joel Piroe has his FOURTH and Leeds have their FIFTH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xid7yfUIQ6
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
Leeds could have won by a greater margin and Farke handed 16-year-old Harry Gray on for his senior debut in the 86th minute, continuing a rich tradition of the Gray dynasty.
On such a momentous day in Leeds United’s history, that felt fitting. The teenager is rated as one of the most precociously talented youngsters in Europe and Farke said: “The day was more or less made for Harry’s debut; I couldn’t paint a better picture.
“He was not on the pitch just because his last name is Gray, or he is young and came from the academy. Some managers like to bring a young player on for show.
“I don’t like to praise a young lad too early too much and it’s important he stays humble and grounded. But he’s a really good talented striker, so let’s see how he will develop.”
There will be far greater challenges for Leeds in the Premier League next season. There has to be. It cannot be this easy. But with a core of talented players in captain Ethan Ampadu, Bogle, Ao Tanaka, Gnonto, and emerging talent such as Gray, Leeds will be confident of bucking the trend of promoted sides suffering immediate relegation.
Planning application has gone in to increase Elland Road’s capacity to up to 56,500 and the club’s owners – San Francisco 49ers Enterprises – are expected to fund a major spending spree this summer.
As he conducted his post-match press conference, Farke could not help but glance at a television showing Burnley winning against Sheffield United.
When the final whistle went at Turf Moor, the party got started at Elland Road.
Leeds fans scaled buildings, let off flares and partied into the night after promotion to the Premier League was confirmed on Monday.
Leeds returned to the top flight at the first time of asking as they hammered Stoke City 6-0 before Burnley’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United confirmed their promotion and sparked joyous scenes.
Former Manchester United academy hope Largie Ramazani was front and centre in the celebrations, dancing while clutching a flag as he was cheered on.
🤣 LARGIE RAMAZANI! pic.twitter.com/8krWIxE9ZZ
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 21, 2025
As players and fans mixed in a pub as Burnley’s win confirmed promotion, champagne corks flew as the players enjoyed the celebrations.
🎤 “The mic’s not working mate!”@LRamazani88 the @LUFC reporter!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionshippic.twitter.com/9Es9qxBUlW
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) April 21, 2025
Harry Gray, the younger brother of former Leeds player Archie, said sarcastically: “Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds are falling apart,” in reference to a chant sung by rivals when Leeds falter.
Pascal Struijk and Manor Solomon were among those to pose with banners including “Promoted!” and “We stepped up!” and manager Daniel Farke waved to thousands of fans from a balcony as he was serenaded.
Outside on the streets around Elland Road, fans scaled buildings with a group standing on top of a chicken shop to get the best vantage point.
Farke, who swigged from a bottle of beer, celebrated Leeds United’s promotion at an emotional Elland Road and proudly declared: “It’s where this club belongs.”
Players at Elland Road were met with a series of chants including “Wilder is a w—–”, aimed at Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.
It was a sweet moment for Farke, who clinched his third managerial promotion from the Championship after two previous successes with Norwich City.
The German twice took Norwich up as title winners but fell just short in his debut campaign at Elland Road last term, losing the play-off final 1-0 to Southampton.
After making it second time lucky, a delighted Farke said: “One of the key reasons I came here stemmed from my second year at Norwich – Leeds had such a good team and Elland Road was buzzing with all the white scarves. You could feel there is something really special about this place.
“I thought ‘one day I would like to be in charge to channel the emotions and bring this club back to where it belongs’. Sadly it was not possible to bring this club back [to the Premier League] last season, but there’s a great mentality within this group.
“It’s an impressive achievement to be on 94 points and 89 goals is also right up with two games to play. We’re hard to beat and scoring goals for fun. Perhaps the fans are creating a few new songs now and thinking about how to spend the evening.”
Farke’s players watched the Burnley-Sheffield United game in a suite at Elland Road. The last time Leeds reached the Premier League, under Marcelo Bielsa in 2019-20, fans were not able to celebrate in person because of the pandemic.
PARTY TIME AT TURF MOOR AND ELLAND ROAD! 🎆
Burnley and Leeds are back in the Premier League! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/8JyKu5jHlD
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
Farke added: “In the last 21 years we have spent only three seasons in the Premier League but, like I say, this club belongs there.”
The Leeds manager is expected to be handed major funds to strengthen his squad this summer, but played down his celebrations with the title all still to play for.
The 48-year-old added with a smile: “I normally celebrate with cake and coffee on the sofa because I’m at an age where I’m pretty tired. What we have achieved with hard work and proper football is second to none. The praise goes to the players.”
Leeds defender Joe Rodon said: “Since I came here at the start of last season, I’ve just had that connection with the fans. They’re the 12th man for us and the atmosphere today was incredible – I couldn’t hear myself think.
“We’re just delighted to get over the line and are ready to celebrate now.”
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu said: “We learnt from the experience of last year and to get into this position was our main focus. Now it’s done, we can celebrate.”
On-loan Tottenham winger Solomon, whose move could now be made permanent, said: “This is why I came to Leeds. I took a risk but it has paid off and I’m so happy, I can’t find the words to describe it. We had some ups and downs but we never stopped and deserve to go up.”
Paraag Marathe, the Leeds chairman, echoed Farke’s sentiments. He said: “The Premier League is where Leeds belongs, and our goal is to establish a long-term presence there. With that in mind, we have been quietly preparing the club for this moment. The road ahead won’t be easy, but we are ready to step confidently into this next chapter.”
As Leeds strive to win the title, Marathe added: “We still have a chance to finish this season with a trophy. Let’s show the squad we are behind them over the final two matches.”
Place back among elite confirmed
Not for decades have Leeds United had an occasion like this in front of a full Elland Road. Not since those heady days when they reached the 2000-01 Champions League semi-finals under David O’Leary has this famous old club experienced such delight.
It explains much; the fervour, the passion, and the almost deafening roar that greeted each goal in a win that sends Daniel Farke’s men back to the Premier League.
Leeds’ teamwork was peerless, their conviction unshakeable as they reduced Stoke City to rubble, much to the elation of an emotionally fraught home crowd.
Joel Piroe scored four goals during the first half, including three inside the first 20 minutes to mark the fastest league hat-trick ever scored by a Leeds player and leave the home fans singing the “Leeds are falling apart” rendition of Joy Division, which has long been sung by jibing away supporters, in irony.
Leeds take the lead against Stoke through Joel Piroe ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V31ow2Ko7v
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
“This is how it feels to be champions, this is how it feels to be Leeds, this is how it feels when you’re going to the Premier League,” sang the home faithful with gusto.
The Championship title – a feat Farke twice achieved with Norwich City – can wait, but Leeds’ place back among the elite is now confirmed.
They wobbled recently with three successive draws, but Farke held his nerve and a fourth straight win vindicated his recent claim that promotion would be secured.
“When you work for such an emotional club, after every draw everyone is panicking,” Farke said. “You don’t have to just lead the players but the fans, the journalists and the pundits.
“You have to show some steel sometimes and normally I don’t like to speak about promotion in public, but I sensed this was the time. But I would never lie so if I didn’t deeply believe this I would never say it.
“I know what’s necessary to win a title and what effect such a nervy period has on the group. We’ve been working on a winning mentality since the first day I arrived.”
When the Yorkshire giants reached the top flight under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, it was achieved behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And so those Leeds fans who had waited 16 years to see their team back in the top flight were cruelly denied the chance to be invited to the promotion party.
Five years on, and a raucous Elland Road felt like it was making up for lost time.
When the Leeds anthem Marching on Together was played on the public address system before kick-off, the home fans belted out the lyrics with almost religious zeal.
The desire from the stands transmitted itself to the pitch, where Farke’s players proceeded to obliterate Stoke in double-quick time.
Piroe tapped home a sixth-minute opener after good work from Wilfried Gnonto and Manor Solomon before grabbing his second again two minutes later with another clinical finish.
“Sheer ECSTASY at Elland Road!” 🎙️
No sooner had Joel Piroe finished celebrating his first, he doubles his tally and Leeds United are in DREAMLAND! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/7UFRG8IDm1
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
Remarkably, he completed his hat-trick with a superb left-foot finish in the 20th minute and Junior Firpo then saw his shot apologetically loop into the net.
Piroe reclaimed centre stage six minutes later with his fourth to make 5-0 at the break. Gnonto, who caused havoc down the right flank in front of Jayden Bogle, then headed in a left-wing cross from Solomon to make it 6-0.
“Stoke simply have no answer to this Leeds attacking machine” 💨
Joel Piroe has his FOURTH and Leeds have their FIFTH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xid7yfUIQ6
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 21, 2025
Leeds could have won by a greater margin and Farke handed 16-year-old Harry Gray on for his senior debut in the 86th minute, continuing a rich tradition of the Gray dynasty.
On such a momentous day in Leeds United’s history, that felt fitting. The teenager is rated as one of the most precociously talented youngsters in Europe and Farke said: “The day was more or less made for Harry’s debut; I couldn’t paint a better picture.
“He was not on the pitch just because his last name is Gray, or he is young and came from the academy. Some managers like to bring a young player on for show.
“I don’t like to praise a young lad too early too much and it’s important he stays humble and grounded. But he’s a really good talented striker, so let’s see how he will develop.”
There will be far greater challenges for Leeds in the Premier League next season. There has to be. It cannot be this easy. But with a core of talented players in captain Ethan Ampadu, Bogle, Ao Tanaka, Gnonto, and emerging talent such as Gray, Leeds will be confident of bucking the trend of promoted sides suffering immediate relegation.
Planning application has gone in to increase Elland Road’s capacity to up to 56,500 and the club’s owners – San Francisco 49ers Enterprises – are expected to fund a major spending spree this summer.
As he conducted his post-match press conference, Farke could not help but glance at a television showing Burnley winning against Sheffield United.
When the final whistle went at Turf Moor, the party got started at Elland Road.
