PREMIER League status might bring untold millions to Burnley FC and the borough where the Clarets are worshipped.

But for the 20,000 fans who lined Manchester Road, the chance to see their heroes crowned champions was simply priceless.

The baffling Football League decision to prevent the Clarets from receiving the Championship at Charlton was met with such vitriol that host Alistair Campbell had to appeal for calm when top official Andy Williamson appeared for the Burnley Town Hall trophy handover.

Fairly swiftly the party atmosphere was restored though as ‘No Nay Never’ chants and homages to Andre Gray, Sam Vokes and Joey Barton rang out.

Chairman Mike Garlick said: “Everyone knows we’ve got more money than last time.

“We are going to spend it but make sure there is still a football club here in five or 10 year’s time.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Clarets boss Sean Dyche paid tribute to the Turf Moor support, but reserved special praise for the travelling army of fans ‘who spent their hard-earned money to follow us’.

And under close questioning from Campbell during interviews on the town hall balcony with players, Barton insisted: “I said when I came to Burnley we were going to win the league.”

Cllr Liz Monks, Mayor of Burnley, hosted a civic reception for the players and officials at Burnley Mechanics before the trophy handover next door at the town hall and provoked cheers with her rallying cry of “Up The Clarets”.

Council leader, Cllr Mark Townsend, said: “This is a fantastic day for the club and the borough and hopefully it will help us to build on what we have achieved over the past few years.

“It is now up to businesses in Burnley to step up to the plate and seize this incredible opportunity to aim even higher and be Premier League class.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Burnley FC fan Lisa Shaw, 41, who travels from Mansfield to watch Clarets games with mum Christine, who grew up in Lumb, decked out border collies Dinky and Molly in claret and blue for the day.

She said: “There was no way I was going to miss this. The boss is a Nottingham Forest fan but he understood I had to come here.”

An open-top parade saw hordes stream across the town centre to Red Lion Street, Yorkshire Street and Harry Potts Way en-route to Turf Moor.

Meanwhile father and son Phil and Dan Barsley, proud members of the Cornwall Clarets, have been identified as the pair who brought the inflatable cups with which the players celebrated at Charlton, in lieu of the real Championship trophy.

Phil, who initially passed one of the inflatables to Matt Lowton, said: “We were extremely pleased that the players had something to lift and celebrate with the magnificent Clarets fans behind them.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Barsleys had a close shave upon their arrival in South-East London, after having to sweet-talk stewards at The Valley, who were reluctant to allow the ‘trophies’ through the gates. It was last seen with Dean Marney.

Chris Ellison, 36, from Burnley, said: “This is better than the last two times because we’ve gone up as champions.

“Hopefully we’ll be there for good now.”

Dylan Johnson, 39, of Rosegrove, said: “We’re back where we belong, no matter what anyone says.”