BURNLEY boss Owen Coyle believes the fans have played a crucial part in the Clarets’ promotion to the Premier League.

Burnley overcame Sheffield United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley yesterday to return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

With a population of less than 80,000, Burnley will be the smallest town ever to play in the Premier League.

Despite that, the Clarets were roared on by 36,000 fans at Wembley and Coyle knows that promotion has been very much a joint effort between players and supporters.

“There’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“We had 36,000 fans here. Manchester United when they play at home, there’ll be more people in Old Trafford than in the whole town of Burnley so it shows us what we’re going to be up against.

“But what a terrific adventure when it comes about to go and enjoy it.

“The fans have been magnificent from day one of my time here.

“I asked them to come and get behind the club, and we didn’t make any promises but I said we’d try to give them a team that replicated what fans want - a team who really try.”

And Coyle admitted that the achievement of becoming a Premier League manager has fulfiled a personal ambition. The Scot achieved promotion at Wembley as a player with Bolton but played only a handful of games in the top flight before moving back to Scotland.

“It’s the same as when I was a player, I had aspirations of being at the top level and I had that fleetingly as a player with Bolton after scoring in a play-off final,” he said.

“You aspire as a player, coach or manager to play at the top level and for me the Premier League is the best league in the world.”

Burnley’s victory means they return to the top flight for the first time since 1976 — and Coyle is looking forward to the challenge, although he admits it will be tough.

“We’ve got a great adventure to look forward to but we are under no illusions about how difficult it will be,” added Coyle. “We will need to add to the squad we have.

“We don’t have quantity but I believe we have quality. I’m obviously delighted with what we’ve achieved.

“We’re not being delusional now, but if we finish fourth bottom, it will be a better achievement than where we’ve finished now.

“We will be underdogs home and away.”

He added: “I’m immensely proud and delighted for everyone in the town — but my heart goes out to Sheffield United.”

Coyle had said before the game that he would celebrate with an Irn Bru if promotion was achieved and, having been teetotal for his entire life, he confirmed that he would again resist the temptation of champagne. “I think everyone know it’s soft drinks I like and the lads have had enough for me, there’s no doubt about that!” he joked.

And he was quick to correct a former team-mate who said he celebrated reaching the final with a glass of bubbly.

“I saw my old Bolton team-mate John McGinlay had said when we won the play-off final against Reading he thought he’d seen me drink champagne.

“Obviously with him being away in America now he’s a bit delusional now!

“I think I can enjoy it as much with a soft drink as alcohol!”