Fans were hurling themselves into the fountain outside Bradford Magistrates' Court within minutes of the final whistle.

The party had started. And it was going to be a long one.

Hundreds of supporters gathered spontaneously near City Hall as the delirious scenes of joy swept around the centre of Bradford like a tidal wave.

Ecstatic Bantams followers jumped into the murky waters of the fountain or clambered on to traffic lights, telephone boxes and up trees as the celebrations started in earnest.

At one point, an impromptu street party was in full swing in the middle of Channing Way with motorists - many trailing claret and amber flags and banners from their windows - having to run the good-humoured gauntlet of cheering fans.

And the fun continued - with all roads leading to Valley Parade where stalwart fans, who had watched the match in pubs throughout the city, started to congregate.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the stadium cheering and chanting.

A cavalcade of cars turned into one of the happiest traffic jams in town and the noise from the car horns was deafening.

Within an hour Valley Parade became the centre of the universe with fans forming an amber and claret wave, trekking from Centenary Square to spending several hours waiting for the return of their heroes.

And it was all good humoured. They stood on top of buildings, hung out of cars - danced in the streets.

This was THE party that City had waited 77 years to hold.

Supporters came in all ages, from toddlers to pensioners - and some fans even took their pets - one dog was decked out in city kit.

Lifelong supporter Andrew Lee, 22, from Idle, said: "It's the most incredible achievement. I'm still pinching myself that it's really happened. There's certainly going to be a hell of a party."

And another life-long city fan Sean Narey, 24, from Keighley, said: "This is absolute wonderland stuff. I never thought I would see the day. It hasn't really sunk in yet - I'm speechless."

Lisa Rushworth, 19, from Tyersal, said: "I've never experienced anything like it. The lads have done us proud."

Twelve-year-old Ben Gallon, of Wyke and his brother Sam, 11, said they were both over the moon. "I can't even think about the Premier League yet, I'm too stunned. I just want to savour the moment."

Alec Harker, a salesman from Eccleshill, said he had wanted to be at Valley Parade to welcome his heroes home. "I can't believe it. I just want to give them a cheer. I want to say well done to Geoffrey Richmond and Paul Jewell too, they've done a brilliant job."

Philip Crossland and Dianne Helm had watched the match in a pub in Wibsey. Philip said: It's fantastic. Every time we've messed up this season, so have Ipswich. It was fate."

Nick Tomic, a joiner from Wrose, said the match had been: "a top game. I'm most of all looking forward to beating Leeds next season and to being in Europe."

Thirteen-year-old Nicola Pinkney, of Apperley Bridge, had dressed her inflatable alien in a City shirt. "I couldn't watch the last ten minutes of the game!" she said.

Richard Wilkinson, an engineer from Thornton, arrived back from Molineux on one of the supporters' coaches. "The atmosphere was fantastic. We did it! It's brilliant," he said.

As the reality that City had made it to the Premiership sank in, new songs broke out among the crowd - "Are you watching Ipswich Town?" and "We are Premier League" instead of "We are going up".

What a party!

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.