Charlton Athletic earned their promotion to the Championship for the 2025/26 season with a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient in the League One playoff final.
A first-half free-kick goal from Macaulay Gillesphey was enough for the Addicks to win the game, sparking wild celebrations in the Charlton camp.
Charlton manager Nathan Jones is renowned for being passionate on the touchline, and he was jubilant in his celebrations at full-time.
Jones was talking to Sky Sports on the field immediately after their victory, and he gave a passionate interview to describe his immediate emotions.
"This is euphoria. We've had to battle, we didn't play well. We just defended really well. To win a game here and keep a clean sheet, I'm so, so happy.
"There's also a bit of relief, but the majority is euphoria and pride. This is a good Orient side, and they've hardly had a chance on goal. And that's down to our side. I wanted to build something. That's why I came here. It's the first step. Now we kick on.
"This club is ready to go. An ex-Premier League club. The infrastructure is there. I didn't feel like I was coming to manage League One, I felt like I was coming to manage Charlton.
"The potential is there, the owners are good and days like today are priceless for the fans. We can build something. We're 16 months into a journey.
"I've been involved in seven or eight different play-off campaigns in my career, and this is the best way to get promoted. This is the best day of my footballing life."
Heartbreak for Orient
Despite having an impressive campaign for Leyton Orient, their season ends in disappointment. However, whilst the result from Wembley will hurt, they will hope to build on this campaign next season.
Orient manager Richie Wellens was quick to make that clear to Sky Sports, as he gave this interview at the final whistle;
"We're a developing club. It hurts but we learn and we'll lick our wounds. Some parts we did well today, but other parts need work.
"We didn't force the issue enough. Did we deserve to lose? Probably not. But in finals like this you live on moments, and it was a poor goal to give away.
"It'll hurt. But we'll use it as fuel."
What's next for Charlton?
For Charlton, this promotion means they will return to the Championship for the first time since their relegation in 2020. They were immediately relegated after their 2019 promotion, and Jones will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that fate.
They will join Birmingham City and Wrexham as promoted sides in the Championship next season, and although Charlton may be expected to have less financial power than their rivals, they will hope to compete and consolidate their place next season.
Their long term ambition is to eventually end their 19 year long exile from the Premier League, and based off of the success that they have enjoyed under Jones, it would be no surprise to see them continue their upwards momentum up the EFL.
On a personal note, Jones will be looking forward to reunions with former sides Stoke City and Southampton in the league next season. His focus though will be on ensuring that Charlton are prepared to compete and remain in the Championship next season.
For now though, the Addicks will be celebrating their promotion to the Championship and they will be looking forward to the following campaign.
