In pictures: Cardiff City's Premier League promotion
- Published
Cardiff City's historic win came 53 years to the day they last won promotion to football's top tier.
The Championship leaders needed just a draw at home to Charlton to secure top flight football next season.
The atmosphere throughout the game against Charlton Athletic was mostly one of anticipation and nervousness.
But as word spread round the ground that Watford were losing their game, supporters started to get into the celebratory mood.
When the final whistle blew - with Cardiff securing promotion with a 0-0 draw - the stadium erupted and thousands of fans poured onto the pitch.
Grown men cried and hugged each other as the realisation that a dream had come true.
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay was mobbed by fans.
And Craig Bellamy, who was born in Cardiff, celebrated with the fans after the match.
The club and its fans have been through testing times in recent years.
But the Bluebirds have been top of the Championship since late November.
A sell-out crowd of more than 26,000 saw the team clinch promotion at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Promotion to the top flight is expected to herald a bonanza for both the club and the city of Cardiff.
City's Malaysian owner Vincent Tan is understood to have big plans for the club with its growing stature.
He has said he would spend up to £25m on new players after City reached the Premier League.
- Published17 April 2013