West Brom back in top flight
The Championship winners West Bromwich Albion have taken only two years to return to the Premier League. In 2006-07, Tony Mowbray's side lost 1-0 to Derby County in the play-off final but this term they secured automatic promotion as champions of the...
The Championship winners West Bromwich Albion have taken only two years to return to the Premier League. In 2006-07, Tony Mowbray's side lost 1-0 to Derby County in the play-off final but this term they secured automatic promotion as champions of the second division.
Runners-up Stoke City will enjoy top-flight football for the first time since 1985. City, under the astute leadership of Tony Pulis, had a remarkable campaign and fully deserved to end their long wait for a Premier League return.
Hull City, managed by Phil Brown, have broken new ground as the Tigers will mingle with the big boys for the first time in their history, following their 1-0 victory over Bristol City in the promotion play-off final at Wembley.
On the other side of the coin, relegated Leicester City will play in the third tier of the English game for the first time in their history.
The total attendance figure of 9,400,000 in 2007-08 makes the Championship the fourth most-followed football league in the world, eclipsing Italy's Serie A and Ligue 1 in France and pushing Spain's La Liga very close for third place.
The Football League still achieved this high ranking for The Championship despite a six per cent drop in attendances due to losing Leeds and Sunderland from the division.
The Championship clubs have also applauded the announcement made by the Football League − a new £24 million broadcasting deal that will allow League and League Cup matches to be beamed live worldwide from season 2009-10.
The new sum is 300 per cent up on the league's current overseas agreement.
PFA Select XI
Wayne Hennessy (Wolves), Bradley Orr (Bristol City), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), Dan Shittu (Watford), Paul Robinson (West Brom), Brian Howard (Barnsley), Marvin Elliott (Bristol City), Liam Lawrence (Stoke), Jonathan Greening (West Brom), Ricardo Fuller (Stoke), Kevin Phillips (West Brom).
Leading league scorers
24 Ebanks-Blake (Wolves)
22 Beattie (Sheffield Utd), Phillips (West Brom)
20 John (Southampton)
Standings
West Brom 81 points (played 46 matches); Stoke City 79; Hull 75; Bristol City 74; Crystal Palace 71; Watford, Wolves 70; Ipswich 69; Sheffield Utd 66; Plymouth, Charlton, Cardiff 64; Burnley 62; QPR 58; Preston 56; Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich, Barnsley 55; Blackpool, Southampton 54; Coventry City 53; Leicester 52; Scunthorpe 46; Colchester 38.