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Thousands of fans celebrate Leeds United promotion

Jessica Bradley
BBC News
Reuters / Ed Sykes Man in Leeds hat and scarf holds up his hands in celebration, with big flags to one side Reuters / Ed Sykes
Thousands of Leeds fans watched the parade in the city centre

About 150,000 football fans descended on Leeds City Centre to celebrate Leeds United's return to the Premier League after a two-year absence.

Fans joined a mile-long parade through City Square, Boar Lane, New Market Street, The Headrow and parts of Wellington Street and Vicar Lane.

Reuters / Ed Sykes Staff and players cheer from the top decks of the three busesReuters / Ed Sykes
Reuters / Ed Sykes Fans gather and hold flags, with a young boy sitting atop a statue Reuters / Ed Sykes
Staff and players cheered from the upper decks of the three buses
The city centre was transformed into a sea of blue, yellow and white

The team's promotion was confirmed on Easter Monday when Leeds beat Stoke City 6-0. They secured the championship with a last-gasp win over Plymouth on Saturday.

An open-top bus carried the players and staff through City Square.

Fans filed into the city in the early morning, and the parade began at 13:00 BST.

The team bus headed from City Square along Boar Lane to the Corn Exchange, up past the market and on to The Headrow at Vicar Lane before heading to the area outside the Town Hall and art gallery.

The Leeds United anthem rang out and the air was thick with smoke from flares.

Fans also sang the Kaiser Chiefs anthem I Predict a Riot, which has become synonymous with the club.

Leeds United fans celebrate in City Square

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