Still a bit numb to be honest. Just been on a drive and collected my thoughts. It's been great to see players celebrate as one. People seems forgot that footballers are actually normal. This collection of players really hasn't had a lot of success amongst them.
If someone said describe what promotion means to you. I could write a book and this season alone would be two chapters.
I think back to our last top flight game, it was at Highbury and since being crowned champions that day, Arsenal have won one more trophy. I was 15 years of age and my grandad had a season ticket. I am now 25 years of age and my grandad passed away summer of last year.
I think back to the opening day of this season and sat in a Middlesbrough restaurant attempting to consume a Parmo. All four of us sat at the table were hardly buzzing with excitement. A comeback victory ensure our passions were burning for the season.
I think back to that horrible drive back from Cardiff after seeing us lose a penalty shootout. I rememeber the morning after feeling completely exhausted and haunted. A few weeks later as I was at the cricket when heard the rumours Pearson was off. Annoyed and angered.
I think back to the away days of League 1 breezing past the majority of teams and finally seeing shoots of recovery. It's only now I can take that into context, that was nothing.
I think back to the drive back from a hammering at Portsmouth and Joy division's love will tear us apart was on the radio as I turned it on? As if someone upstairs was having a big laugh. It was a common theme enduring drives where I was pissed off and annoyed. Losing to a ten men Watford under Holloway being another or letting late goals in at the City Ground.
That's only the tip of the iceberg. There were the mundane years of Levein and Kelly, the false dawns led by Milan and Eriksson and then the winless streak last season as a great start turned into dust.
Loads of folk will come out of the woodwork now but they won't appreciate it quite the same. You have to suffer sometimes to learn what success and glory should feel like. It's a privilege, it's not a chore.
