Phew, what a relief. After the trauma of relegation 12 months ago, Newcastle United have returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking, securing the Coca Cola Championship title with a 2-0 win at Plymouth last night.

After being deservedly demoted from a relatively poor top flight last season, with a raft of sub standard players on the pitch, no manager off it, and destabilising uncertainty involving the ownership of Mike Ashley, few predicted the Magpies would make such a swift return to football’s promised land. Instead, a financially crippling extended stay in the lower leagues was forecast, and the entire future of the club was placed in doubt.

However, instead of rolling over and going to sleep, Newcastle United has fought back and righted a lot of wrongs. And full credit must be given to Chris Hughton and the players. A lot of criticism was flung at them last season, much of it deserved, as the relegation inarguably proved. But they have taken a long hard look at themselves, rolled up their sleeves, and restored their pride.

A major turning point looked to be the shocking 6-1 pre-season defeat to Leyton Orient. Managerless, up for sale, and with any player of value being offloaded, it appeared things couldn’t get much worse. But, somehow, the remaining players came together. A hard-fought 1-1 draw at West Brom on the opening day of the season proved they weren’t about to lie down. And things improved from there.

It hasn’t always been pretty. The team got into a routine of scrapping out results without playing particularly well. A couple of decent acquisitions in the January transfer window added some much needed bodies to the squad, and the quality improved in the run-in. But the quality didn’t matter. All the Toon Army wanted was results. And now they’re back in the big time.

So now that promotion has been secured, and rare silverware has been won, what happens next? Despite a fantastic season in the Championship, the squad remains ill-suited for the Premier League. While some have improved, the truth is that many of the players have found their level in the Championship. Certainly, changes will be required.

Following the last promotion campaign, in 1993, then-manager Kevin Keegan ruthlessly dispatched star players such as David Kelly and Gavin Peacock, determining that they weren’t good enough to make the step up to the top flight. Does Hughton have such a ruthless streak? And does he have money to spend to buy replacements?

As always with Newcastle United, next season will undoubtedly be another rollercoaster ride. For now, sensibly, there will be no open top bus parade, no celebrations in the street. Top flight status has been restored, but the reputation of the club still requires some reparation. There is plenty of work to be done to re-establish Newcastle United as a top football club. But allow us a quiet cold drink. The Toon Army are back in the big time.

See more Newcastle United posts here.

Paul Football