CLARETS fans partied long and hard through the night as Burnley secured an instant Premier League return yesterday.

On an emotionally charged evening at a packed Turf Moor, fans wept with delight as a Sam Vokes goal was enough to see off QPR and win promotion into English football’s elite.

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Promotion rivals Middlesbrough and Brighton had both drawn meaning Burnley knew a win was all it would take - and their hopes and prayers were answered as Welsh internationalVokes headed them into the promised land.

It was a goal that gave Burnley a third promotion in seven years - and the fans savoured every last gasp of the drama.

Celebrity weatherman, John Kettley, who has supported the Clarets for 56 years, said: “I am very excited, we are getting used to the elation of promotion now.

“This is third time in seven years, this beats last time as we didn’t have the trauma and expense of travelling all the way to Wembley, which is a relief.

“We had an easy run in to the end of the season and did all the hard work earlier on which was fantastic.”

The Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev. Philip North, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Burnley have secured promotion.

“It is not a surprise to me however as I said in the Lancashire Telegraph last year they would come straight back up.

“Burnley FC is a premier team and they are run by a premier run manager in Sean Dyche.

“The club is an important part of the town and means so much to every single supporter.

“It’s a good time to be a Burnley fan and it is a good day for football.”

Tony Blair’s former spin doctor and lifelong Claret Alastair Campbell said: “I think it’s excellent not a great game but glad they have done it.

“They have gone beyond expectations and have really worked as a team.

“I think we will stay up but it will be tough because of the money involved now.”

When the final whistle blew a roar of jubilation could be heard for miles as fans celebrated the promotions.

A sea of fans in Claret and blue spread to the streets of Burnley as they left Turf Moor to get the party started.

Jubilant fans leaving the ground last night praised the Clarets line up and planned to raise a toast to manager Sean Dyche and his squad.

Billy MacMillan, 53, from Stoneyholme, said: “I am really happy. Up the Clarets.”

“I think they will do really well in the Premier League.”

Jeremy Richardson, 43, from Colne, said: “We have had an excellent season and I think Dyche is now ready for the Premier League.”

Samantha Kimber, 43, also from Colne said: “I think Dyche has brought a lot of passion into the squad and Joey Barton has been the main man.”

Michael Taylor, 55, from Colne said: “It has been an absolutely fantastic season but we will have to buy some players if we are going to do well in the Premier League.”

And now the fans are aiming for the club to stay in the top flight after their two previous top flight campaigns ended in relegation.

Graham Tattersall, 55, from Burnley said: “It has been a fantastic season. I think we will struggle in the Premier League but we can hope for better than last time. Dyche has formed a better squad.”

Phillip Atkinson, 65, from Nelson said: “I have been going to Burnley for 50 years and this is the best I’ve ever felt coming out of Turf Moor.”

Warren Parker, 45, from Brierfield said: “I think we will survive the Premier League.

“We’ve been persistent and played as a team and that is what has got us there.”

Seven-year-old Jacob Simpson, from Burnley said: “We are Premier League and I cried when they disallowed the goal. I’m really excited.”

Martin O’Rourke, 51, from Accrington, said: “We are now off to the Crown pub in Accrington to raise a pint as a toast to a great season.”

Steven Helm, 50, said: “I’ve got work in the morning but I’ll be having a drink when I get in. A toast to the Clarets as always.”

Ian Hargreaves, 53, from Burnley said: “I am going straight to The Bridge for a few drinks after a fantastic season. I’ll think we’ll stay up next year.”