Scott Parker hailed his players’ commitment and work ethic as Burnley celebrated promotion to the Premier League with thousands of fans during an open-top bus parade.
The Clarets boss spoke to fans from the balcony of Burnley Town Hall after his team collected 100 Championship points but were pipped to title glory on goal difference by Leeds.
Parker, kitted out in a retro Burnley shirt, told supporters in an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire: “I am absolutely delighted that we managed to get you guys Premier League football.
“I am glad these boys managed to deliver that, and to get it over the line at home against Sheffield (United) in a one-off game was important to us.
“This team has been very consistent. They represent what I want to be about – core values, commitment, hard work – and this group has it in abundance.”
Burnley became the first side in English football history to finish with 100 points but not be crowned champions, yet they also conceded only 16 goals in 46 league games – bettering the record set by Liverpool, who conceded 16 across 42 matches in 1978-79.
After a civic reception, the parade followed a route along Manchester Road, St James’ Street, Yorkshire Street and then Harry Potts Way before arriving at Turf Moor.
Striker Ashley Barnes, who rejoined Burnley from Norwich in January, added: “It is an incredible feeling.
“There was a lot of change in the summer, a lot of players left the club and there was a change in manager, so it has not been straightforward.
“But we set a solid foundation that we could build on, we timed our run at the right time to win important games and get promotion, and that’s what it is all about.”
