Reaction from Elland Road as Leeds United return to the Premier League after 16 years

The Whites were guaranteed a top-two finish in the Championship and their 16-year exile from the top flight was finally over after West Brom lost to Huddersfield Town.

Players past and present celebrated shared their joy on social media.

Former Leeds defender Dominic Matteo, who made more than 100 appearances for the club when they were last in the Premier League, hailed manager Marcelo Bielsa.

“Every player who plays for Leeds United, he’s made better,” Matteo told Sky Sports. “There’s not many managers you can say that about anywhere in the world.”

Coun Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, praised the achievements of the club and their support for the community.

She said: “This is a truly outstanding achievement and also at the same time an extremely poignant one in a season where the club celebrated its centenary birthday and also very sadly lost three club legends in Norman Hunter, Trevor Cherry and Jack Charlton.

“Under the expert and meticulous eye of Marcelo, Leeds have proved without doubt that they are a truly outstanding team and more than worthy of promotion this season.

"Whilst the statistics speak for themselves in terms of the team’s performances, it is also the fantastic style of football they have played which has really caught the eye and rightfully received so many wonderful plaudits.”

And she also praised the fans and said they “deserve this moment more than anyone”.

Coun Blake added: “Their support has and continues to be absolutely tremendous, and as a fan myself, I cannot wait to join them and see Leeds back in the top-flight and taking on the best there is.”

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Eileen Taylor, added: “Leeds United is woven into the very fabric of our great city, and is a name that I know through my time as Lord Mayor resonates not just across the United Kingdom, but right around the world.

“It is wonderful therefore that we are able to say once again that Leeds is the home to a Premier League club and I wish them continued success.”

Fans gathered outside Elland Road and were heard chanting the club’s anthem, Marching On Together, beeping their car horns and setting off yellow flares in front of the ground.

Tony McDonnell was celebrating by the Billy Brenner statue with his five-month-old grandson, Tommy Smith.

He said: “This means everything – it’s been 16 years of murder. I’ve been crying. My first game was 1970, I was eight years old.

“We will do fantastic next season with Bielsa in charge.”

Cameron Lloyd, 24, lives with his brother Toby in Edinburgh but has come down to visit dad Chris, in Wakefield, to take in the past few weeks.

“It’s just incredible, it’s not sunk in yet," Cameron said.

Chris added: “I moved up here from Norwich in 1968. I’ve seen some ups and I’ve seen some downs.

"I just want to take in the panorama. And anyway, I’m driving!”

Helen Harvey lives in Middleton and had been coming to games since she was a little girl.

“It feels amazing,” she said.

Phil Thompson, 57, added: “I remember my first game. I was 11 and I was in the old scratching shed with a Leeds scarf on.

"My uncle brought me and I’ve been a Leeds fan ever since.

“We have been through hell for this – just to get this feeling. This is our season.”

Ahmed Khan, from Harehills, visited with son Said Ali, three.

He said: “My boy was not even born when Leeds were last in the Premier League - he doesn’t remember Batty, Yeboah, the golden years.

"Now he is growing up and getting into football, so hopefully all he will know is Leeds in their prime.”

Meanwhile fans and visitors to Leeds will now be able to go ‘marching on together’ along Marcelo Bielsa Way after a city street was renamed in honour of the Whites’ manager.

The street, which connects Trinity Leeds shopping centre to Commercial Street in the heart of the city’s shopping district, was renamed this morning and signage will be installed next week.