Once in a blue moon comes a moment when you believe fairy tales are real, and one such story took place in a small West Midlands town. Coventry City ended their 25-year exile from the Premier League and sealed direct promotion with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.
Coventry, one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992–93, having not played in the competition since their relegation in the 2000–01 season. So when centre-back Bobby Thomas scored the equalizer in the final minutes, the 7,500 traveling fans must have erupted like children – crying, being upstaged and holding signs saying ‘We’re back’.
“It was an unbelievable moment (when Thomas scored),” Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard told Sky Sports. “We knew we were almost there, but to finally get over the line after 25 years – wow! It’s amazing. What the fans have been through.”
As the success sunk in, Lampard, a former Chelsea and England midfielder, also became emotional as it marked his first promotion as a manager.
“It’s a serious football club. These guys have done something unique. This is right up there for me,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to be part of great Chelsea teams, winning league titles and the Champions League, but to do that – I’m very proud to be their manager.”
FINANCIAL BENEFITS?
This promotion to the highest level will not only bring them back to the promised land but it also brings in broadcast revenue of around £120m. In addition to the basic income, the club will benefit from merit payments, which are distributed based on the team’s final position in the league. For each higher place a team finishes in the Premier League table, they typically receive an additional £2.5m to £3m in prize money.
Coventry spent 34 consecutive seasons in England’s top flight following their promotion in 1967, surviving countless relegation battles before finally being relegated in the 2000–01 season, finishing 19th in the table.
The club sealed promotion after six years in the Championship, topping the table with 86 points from 43 games – 13 ahead of third-placed Millwall, who cannot catch them with three games remaining.
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Published on:
18 Apr 2026 13:33 IST
