Never say Dai: Cardiff win promotion to the Premier League after years of near-misses
Never say Dai: Cardiff win promotion to the Premier League after years of near-misses
Beaten in the play-offs for last three seasons, the Welsh
capital's side are back in the top flight for first time since 1962
after draw with Charlton
Bluebirds of happiness: Cardiff fans invade the pitch at the final whistle
Wales News Service
Malky Mackay vowed to make Cardiff "competitive" in the Premier League after leading the club up automatically.
This
goalless draw with Charlton parked a pitch invasion after three
successive play-off failures and another year when the Welsh side missed
the playoffs on goals scored.
Promotion was just reward for the Bluebirds, after dominating the Championship this season and leading since November.
Fans turned up in party mood long before kick-off knowing a draw would seal promotion.
Now
they can savour top-flight football for the first time since 1962 after
Malaysian billionaire owner Vincent Tan bankrolled them. There's lovely: Ecstatic fans chair Cardiff's Leon Barnett off the pitch
PA
This result was 53 years to the day since a home victory over Aston Villa last secured Cardiff's promotion from the second tier.
Fans poured on to the pitch at the final whistle and set off flares in sheer delight.
The
excited public-address announcer told ecstatic supporters: "We are
coming to shake up the world. Gary Lineker, can you hear us?"
Boss Mackay, 41, in charge since June 2011, said: "I am very proud of the football club.
"The people here have waited a long time for this moment.
"The owner has put an awful lot of money into this football club.
"They
have backed me and the fans who have waited for this club to get into
the Premier League. Hopefully this is a bit of pay-back for them. Croeso y Premier League! Triumph for Cardiff boss Mackay and his staff
Action Images
"The Premier League is a huge challenge but we are going to plan properly.
"It has started already and we will put that into action.
"We
have been competitive in this league. One of the promises I made when I
came is our fans will accept mistakes but they won't accept lack of
effort
"We have competed in every game we have played in the Championship and that won't change in the Premier League."
Cardiff enjoyed plenty of possession against the Addicks but failed to create many clear-cut chances. "Say something about the kit change now!" Chairman Vincent Tan celebrates
PA
It needed a fine save from City keeper David Marshall to tip away Ricardo Fuller's left-foot curler in the 63rd minute.
The ground exploded prematurely in the 70th minute when Craig Noone scrambled in only be denied by the assistant's flag.
But there was no containing home fans' joy at the final whistle.
Addicks boss Chris Powell said: "Malky and I go back a few years as we were team-mates at Watford and West Ham.
"I told him to enjoy the moment."
Close but no cigar: Cardiff's near-misses
2008-09
- Seventh. Lost three of their last four games - including a 6-0
gubbing at Preston - to miss the Championship play-offs on goals scored.
2009-10 - Fourth. Lost to Blackpool 3-2 in the play-off final.
2010-11 - Fourth. Lost to Reading in play-off semi-finals, leading to manager Dave Jones' departure.
2011-12 - Sixth. Lost to eventually-promoted West Ham in the play-off semi-finals.
2012-13 - Automatic promotion secured with three games to play.
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