Paul Grunill
BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

There is absolutely no doubt Kieran McKenna has transformed Ipswich Town's fortunes since he became manager in December 2021.

"He's an elite level manager, he really is," says BBC Radio Suffolk's sports presenter Graeme McLoughlin.

"He is calmness personified. Two promotions in two seasons, you can't ask for more than that."

BBC Radio Suffolk has been talking about the parade all day, but the We Are Premier League bus parade special, presented by Graeme, starts at 12:00.

Lacey Harris, 15, from Halstead in Essex, was left minding the dog while her grandad popped to the shops prior to the start of the parade.

"This is my grandad's dog and she's ready for the party," she said.

"My grandad and all my family have been massive Ipswich supporters since I was born, so I've been coming to games pretty much my whole life. They've always had season tickets.

"It's mad. I can't believe it - it's all because of Kieran McKenna. I hope he stays."

Stuart Howells
BBC News, Suffolk

As he arrived for the bus parade, Town striker George Hirst admitted he's still feeling "a bit worse for wear" after the weekend's celebrations.

"It's still not really sunken in, what we've achieved," he said.

"Everyone has been thoroughly enjoying themselves, and rightly so. Hopefully today is another day the whole town can do that again."

Hirst only came back from the sick room recently, having injured a hamstring in December's 1-1 draw against Championship winners Leicester City.

Image source, Alice Cunningham/BBC

Lewis Guiler, 36, and Reba Walpole, 25, are awaiting the coach's arrival at Christchurch Park.

"As you can tell by my voice we were there on Saturday," said Mr Guiler. "My voice has gone.

"We knew we were going to do it."

They said emotions were high when Wes Burns opened the scoring on Saturday.

"I cuddled some guy behind me, I didn't know who he was," Mr Guiler said. "It was such an amazing experience to see us go up."

Ms Walpole added: "That's part of it. When you go to a football match, you cuddle people."

Paul Grunill
BBC Sport

Sheila and Suzanne Warren have travelled 30 miles from Holland-on-Sea in Essex and are hoping for an unimpeded view when the bus leaves at Portman Road.

"We came to the game on Saturday but the fans came on the pitch in front of the disabled area so we couldn't see the celebrations," said Suzanne, who went to her first game as a 13-year-old, 32 years ago.

"This is our chance to see the players with their medals and the trophy and experience what we missed out on at the weekend.

"I thought we'd do really well and could get promoted, but I don't think I ever believed it would end up quite like this. They've just been amazing."

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk

Image source, Alice Cunningham/BBC

Arlo the dog is showing his support for the Town at Christchurch Park.

Image source, Contributed

Nathan Richardson, who referees junior football matches for the Holbrook Hornets, is here with his sons Charlie and Theo.

"I am lucky to have the memories of the play-off final [in 2000], so happy that my boys can have the memories of today!

"We were in Sunderland for the first kick, here for the last - magical!"

Image source, Jack Maclean/BBC

Dan Lightfoot, the owner of the Greyhound pub in Ipswich, says Saturday's celebrations were memorable - but a long time coming after years of relative mediocrity for Ipswich Town.

"We've had some very boring days at the pub," said Mr Lightfoot, 49.

"There was one day I had a shepherd's pie in the oven and I decided to go for that rather than go to football, because I was so bored with it all.

"It's unbelievable now. The crowd, the atmosphere.

"Thank goodness we did it.

"The past two years have been such a boost for all the pubs and restaurants around the town - long may it continue."

Stuart Howells
BBC News, Suffolk

Two buses have been decorated and are ready to go.

Image source, Stuart Howells/BBC

Image source, Stuart Howells/BBC

Paul Grunill
BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Kieran McKenna is the fifth Ipswich manager to guide the club to promotion to the top flight of English football.

He follows Alf Ramsey, who did so in 1961, five years before he led England to victory in the World Cup final against West Germany, Bill McGarry in 1968, John Lyall in 1992 and George Burley in 2000.

Paul Grunill
BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

Only five teams have reached the Premier League following back to back promotions, having started in the third tier of English football.

Watford were the first to do it in 1998-99, followed by Manchester City in 1999-2000, Norwich City in 2010-11 and Southampton in 2011-12.

Ipswich join the list despite reportedly spending less than £5m on their squad, while their main Championship promotion rivals benefitted from continuing Premier League parachute payments.

Rachael McMenemy
BBC News

Image source, Rachael McMenemy/BBC

Darrell, Ellis, Camron, Ashton, Dylan and Noah have bagged a good spot on Portman Road.

Darrell, 47, second from right, said: "We got here at about 9 o'clock so we could get a good spot next to the Kevin Beattie statue."

The boys said they are most excited to spot Omari Hutchinson and Jeremy Sarmiento at the parade.

Paul Grunill
BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

In the last two seasons under Kieran McKenna, Ipswich have amassed 194 points, winning 56 games and losing only 10, and scoring 193 goals in the process.

They were beaten only six times during the Championship campaign, four fewer defeats than any other team, and just once at Portman Road - a 4-3 defeat by Leeds United in August. Leeds now face Town's East Anglian rivals Norwich City in the play-offs.

Image source, Rachael McMenemy/BBC

Fans are gathering around Portman Road. The bus will set off along Sir Alf Ramsey Way before turning left on to Portman Road itself.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Ipswich Town’s open top bus celebrations.

The Tractor Boys secured their return to the Premier League on Saturday, with a 2-0 win at Portman Road against Huddersfield.

Players and staff will celebrate with an open-top bus tour, starting from Portman Road at about 12:00 and ending in Christchurch Park.

The route will take in Sir Alf Ramsey Way, Portman Road, Civic Drive, Crown Street, St Margaret’s Green and Bolton Lane, before heading into the park via Westerfield Road.

Image source, ITFC

We’ve got reporters out and about, and even Brenner Woolley on the bus with the team, so we’ll bring you all the colour as it happens.