Luton Town made it to the Premier League for the first time after a penalty shootout win in the playoff final.
Luton Town will play in the Premier League for the first time after beating Coventry City on penalties in Saturday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
Luton completed the fairytale journey to the Premier League after securing a fourth promotion in 10 seasons, winning 6-5 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw.
The Hatters join Burnley and Sheffield United in the next season of the first tier of the English football league system, who were automatically promoted as Championship winners and runners-up.
Their club’s stadium, Kenilworth Road, will host top-flight football for the first time since 1992 when they were relegated from the Football League First Division.
Financial experts estimate promotion to the world’s most watched league at around $210 million for a club that has been in turmoil since they last played in the top flight.
Part of that money will go towards upgrading the club’s stadium, which, with a capacity of just over 10,000 and situated between rows of terraced houses, will host Manchester United and Liverpool next season.
Luton had to recover from an early shock when captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch.
Lockyer was taken to hospital for tests early in the first half. The centre-back, 28, fell to the ground with no player around him and was treated by medical staff before being taken off on a stretcher.
“He reacts and talks to his family, who are with him,” the club said.
Lockyer had played his part as Luton had the ball in the net after just five minutes when Gabriel Osho was found offside when he forced the ball from close range.
But a good start from Rob Edwards’ men paid off in the 23rd minute, when Elijah Adebayo’s good work down the left hit Jordan Clark at the near post.
Adebayo had a second Luton goal disallowed before the break for handball.
Coventry looked like a first-half stage fright in front of 85,000 people.
But Mark Robins’ team has grown accustomed to thriving in the face of adversity.
For years Coventry have been driven from their home city to Northampton and Birmingham due to financial difficulties in renting their stadium.
Even returning to Coventry, they started the season at the foot of the Championship table after being unable to host home matches due to the condition of their ground, which had been used for rugby at the Commonwealth Games.
Coventry were much improved after the break and got their reward 24 minutes from time when Viktor Gyokeres set up Gustavo Hamer to fire into the far corner.
The Sky Blues almost completely turned the tie around within minutes, but Matt Godden blasted past a big chance.
Tired legs and tension took over in extra time, but Coventry had a huge letdown four minutes from time.
Luton substitute Joe Taylor shot home after knocking down Jonathan Panzo’s clearance, but the goal was disallowed when the ball hit the Luton man’s hand.
All of the first 11 penalties were then scored as the takers showed incredible poise under the most extreme pressure.
But when Fankaty Dabo’s effort sailed over the crossbar, Luton’s dreams came true.