Wild scenes as promoted Cardiff savour Reading revelry
First it was Lincoln City. On Easter Monday, the Imps won at Reading to earn promotion to the second tier of English football for the first time in 65 years, a blissful day in the sun for their euphoric fans. On Saturday, it was Cardiff City's turn.
Another sold-out travelling contingent in Berkshire savouring League One promotion. And this time, it was done in the most dramatic fashion. As Cardiff led 3-1 in added time, there seemed to be an acceptance that their return to the Championship was all but confirmed; a formality not yet mathematically official because Stockport County were winning at Exeter City.
But in the sixth minute of added time in Devon, the relegation-threatened Grecians sent goalkeeper Jack Byford up for a corner and his crashing header at the near post snatched a 3-3 draw for the home side – and sparked even wilder celebrations among Cardiff's fans at Reading. "It was one of those things you couldn't predict," said Bluebirds head coach Brian Barry-Murphy. "It's the beautiful nature of football and it's a fitting end to what has been a magnificent season for us all.
"It's been an incredible day to see our supporters and those extraordinary scenes towards the end of the game. " 'Relegation a blessing' but issues remain - Cardiff's reset Promotion may not have been as historic an achievement as it was for Lincoln. After all, Cardiff were in the Premier League only seven years ago and had not been as low down as the third tier for more than two decades.
But there can't have been many promotions confirmed in circumstances more thrilling than these. And once the bedlam subsides, Cardiff will reflect on a moment – and season – to cherish. Having flirted with relegation for years, the Bluebirds finally tumbled out of the Championship 12 months ago, a dismal campaign set to a backdrop of discord and disillusionment off the field.