- Southampton have returned to the Premier League after beating Leeds
- The Saints’ promotion has set a new record for teams in the English top-flight
- Sunday league, grassroots, pub football… how Pep’s influence has trickled down the pyramid – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Southampton‘s Championship play-off final win over Leeds at Wembley on Sunday means the next Premier League season will break a new record.
The Saints celebrated promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, having been relegated to the Championship the year previous, as they beat Leeds 1-0.
However, their place alongside Championship winners Leicester City and runners-up Ipswich Town in gaining promotion to the Premier League has set a new record for the most northern teams in the top-flight.
A host of new WAGs will also be making their way to the Premier League as players and partners prepare for life amongst England’s elite.
Southampton’s victory over Leeds means only five teams from the north of England will play in the Premier League, with the remaining 15 being in southern territory.
Southampton ‘s Championship play-off final win over Leeds at Wembley on Sunday means the next Premier League season will break a new record
Leeds players cut dejected figures at Wembley as they failed to win promotion to the top-flight
Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United are the five teams that will represent England’s north. Leeds would have been the sixth introduction.
Meanwhile, Southampton have joined the Premier League’s other teams that are based in London, the Midlands, the south coast and Suffolk.
Newcastle are the most northern team to feature as they occupy England’s north-east and will have to travel 112 miles for their closest game against Liverpool.
Southampton manager Russell Martin will make his Premier League dugout debut next season
Bournemouth remain the most southern team, with Southampton representing their closest competitor with the two cities within a stones throw from one another.
Commenting on his side’s promotion to the Premier League, Saints boss Russell Martin said in the aftermath at Wembley: ‘It’s up to us to prove ourselves in the Premier League next season.
‘The style is something that myself and my players believe in, I won’t change and I love what I do.
‘We’ll need to embrace the challenge without losing who we are,’ he added.
