Twenty-five years ago supporter John Mullaney - also known as the "banner man" - held up a sign on the day Coventry City was relegated from the Premier League.

Image source, BBC Sport

He was right... but it maybe took a little longer than many thought.

Congratulations to the team and all the fans and thanks for joining our coverage today.

What a day it's been. Here are more shots of fans celebrating in Coventry this afternoon - it's certainly been one to remember.

The club's parade and celebratory Memorial Park event "are what football is about - bringing people together to celebrate something truly special," said owner Doug King.

“This promotion is a huge achievement for everyone connected to the club and the city and we can’t wait to share it with our supporters.

Image source, Coventry City Football Club

“As a football club with such rich music culture at the heart of our DNA, it has been amazing to work alongside Coventry City Council to ensure that this great music city will have another opportunity to showcase its very best music talent.

“We’re proud to give something back to the community and make this a day Coventry will never forget, and we would like to again thank Coventry City Council for all of their support in making this event happen.”

BBC commentator and Sky Blues fan Rob Gurney said it was "incredible" to think where the team had been in the past 25 years.

"For those we've loved and lost, as a club and a fanbase, we've been to hell and back," he said.

"But like the city that bears its name, the Phoenix has risen from the ashes," he added.

"Enjoy this Sky Blue, Army."

Large groups of young Coventry fans gathered in the city centre to mark the team's return to the Premier League.

Many draped flags around their shoulders and sang songs.

The blue smoke from flares can be seen in our photograph below - there have been recent warnings about their use, so let's hope people don't get too carried away today.

Clearly, fans who have never seen their team play top flight football are excited for the future.

Most fans will tell you exactly where they were when Coventry City were promoted, but Rupert Stephens might have a unique story to share.

"I was on the settee spark asleep," he said.

Image source, Rupert Stephens

He explained he'd had an early start at work and had settled down to listen to the match on the radio with a beer "and then I woke up at 10 to 12," he said.

He asked his smart speaker for the result, "and she said in her very posh American voice - 'well it was a one all draw' and that was enough so I had another tin of beer".

"So I went out in the garden, got the stepladders out and spent until one o'clock this morning putting all my flags and bunting up".

William Oelrich

Tattoo artist Andre Fila says he's been doing brisk business with Coventry City fans.

"Especially this last week, we've done loads," said the Treze Ink owner.

"Last night everyone was messaging me, calling me.. 'oh please fit me in - let me get this'.

City fan George said he'd booked it before last night's match as part of a bet with a friend over the club's promotion.

He said the pain "started low, but now it's getting worse and worse".

"It's like he's dragging something through my skin."

The fan, who was at Ewood Park last night, said he was "absolutely buzzing" when the Bobby Thomas goal went in.

"I was kissing my dad's head and everything, I don't know what was going on."

Former manager Mark Robins has some warm words for the team and current management.

"I'm really pleased," he said. "Frank has done a fantastic job."

"He took over from me in difficult circumstances and he's taken it to a different level," he added.

Image source, PA Media

"They've got the stadium now, and it certainly looks a lot more stable.

"But not only that, they've got a really good team, top manager and they've done fantastically well."

"It's taken them a quarter of a century to get back... so good luck to them, I hope they enjoy the promotion and hopefully we can emulate them in the next couple of years," the current Stoke manager said.

William Oelrich

A number of celebration parties are under way in the city.

Martin and Sue Osbourne have joined other fans at the hmv Empire.

Promotion "means everything," said Martin.

"It's great seeing all the kids wearing City tops as well," he added.

"We're nearly there with winning the title," Sue added.

"We only need a couple of more points to win the Championship, but we'll do it."

"I'm just happy with the P next to our name, that will do me, I'm happy" added season ticket-holder Martin.

"I'm a Cov fan through and through since '77."

Richard O'Sullivan, of Farmhouse Butchers in the city market, said he has perfected his recipe for sky blue sausages and they have been flying off the shelves.

"We've got quite a few customers that come in who support Coventry City," he said.

"A few lads are always in early on a Saturday morning before they go to the games.

"It's a good buzz in here," he added.

Shortly after the final whistle was blown on Friday the city of Coventry turned a shade of sky blue including the Whittle Arches, water features and University Hospital.

Image source, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

"It's huge for Coventry City football club, It's huge for football fans, but for Coventry itself as a city, this has been massive," said Lord Mayor Rachel Lancaster.

Clubs, pubs and community centres had "come together to celebrate," she said, "and all of that euphoria overflows and makes a massive difference" to the city.

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A council meeting is to be called recommending the Sky Blues are given the freedom of the city.

"It would be richly deserved, based on the amazing contribution to the city this season,” said leader George Duggins.

“Coventry is immensely proud of our football club, and the Sky Blues’ return to the Premier League is a moment of huge significance for our city.

“This achievement belongs not only to the team and everyone at the club, but to the supporters and communities who have always stood behind them with such passion. It is a great time to be a Coventry City fan and for the city.

We're yet to find out if this will play a part in the victory parade.. but the staff at CV Life, which runs the Transport Museum, have posted this message of congratulations.

This double-decker was adorned in Sky Blues colours to celebrate the squad's 1987 FA Cup victory as they paraded through the city streets..

Image source, CV Life

A city-wide celebration will mark the club's return to the Premier League, it said.

They're dusting off the bus for a parade and music festival in the Memorial Park for up to 50,000, on 4 May from 13:00.

Image source, BBC/Alec Blackman

"Our players and management will lead an open-top bus parade through the streets of Coventry, bringing the celebrations direct to within the heart of our community," the club said.

The parade will begin at Coventry Building Society Arena before traveling through Holbrooks, Whitmore Park, Keresley, Coundon and Chapelfields, with the parade ending at Hearsall Common.

This is how fans reacted on BBC CWR to last night's promotion-winning draw at Ewood Park.

William Oelrich

"The next train to depart from platform four is the 2026 Coventry to Premier League service."

Avanti West Coast are getting in on the action, with Sky Blues themed-announcements at the city's railway station.

Steve Haskins from the company said the team's feat was "monumental for all of us as as city and collectively as a community".

"It’s just been absolutely amazing, something I never thought I was going to see in my lifetime again," he said.

"This is a party all the way through. It’s just going to be the best time to be alive in Cov isn’t it. If you’re a city fan you’re just never going to repeat that ever again."

Digital traffic boards are also signposting the promotion.

All 130-odd city buses, operated by National Express, are celebrating the team's success, the company said.

Image source, Alec Blackman/BBC

Spokesman Adam Rideout said bus destination signs would all read: "Congratulations Sky Blues.

"We tested it and could fit Coventry City on," he explained.

it was right for the company to celebrate, he said, "we're a local bus operator, and everyone that uses our services support the Sky blues.. so massive congratulations to them."