How have previous play-off winners fared in the Premier League?
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Huddersfield Town are set to play in the top-flight for the first time since 1972 when they kick their season off against Crystal Palace this afternoon.
The Terriers won last season’s EFL Championship play-off final with a penalty shootout victory over Reading at Wembley
But how have previous play-off winners fared?
Hull City (34 points), 2016-17
After beating Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley, everything went wrong for the Tigers in the close season. Manager Steve Bruce left, new signings were at a premium and the board were in crisis. The arrival of new manager Marco Silva in January almost heralded safety, but in the end it was just too much for the Humberside club.
Norwich City (34 points), 2015-16
One of the Premier League’s perennial yo-yo sides, Norwich didn’t fare much better in the 2015-16 season. A lack of goals did for the Canaries who only scored 39 in 38 games to confirm an instant return to the second tier.
Queens Park Rangers (30 points), 2014-15
Harry Redknapp and Chris Ramsey oversaw QPR’s most recent exercise in overspending in the top-flight. Rangers never looked like staying up all season and their fate was sealed poetically with a 6-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City.
Crystal Palace (45 points), 2013-14
Palace remain as the last Championship play-off winners to not suffer relegation the following season. A mid-season managerial change saw Tony Pulis arrive at Selhurst Park and guide the Eagles to an 11th place finish. Perhaps best remembered as the side that ended Liverpool’s title ambitions following that infamous 3-3 draw in South London.
West Ham United (46 points), 2012-13
The Hammers returned from a year in Championship exile to record a top half finish under Sam Allardyce. Big Sam’s methods may not have been liked by the Upton Park faithful, but they were certainly effective.
Swansea City (47 points), 2011-12
The Swans defied the odds to avoid relegation and secure an 11th place finish in their first season in the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers had the Welsh club playing silky football on their way to memorable victories over Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Blackpool (39 points), 2010-11
Blackpool are one of the Premier League’s most memorable one-season wonders. In a flash of tangerine, Ian Holloway’s side would often score three and then concede six. It was a valiant effort from the Bloomfield Road club who had relegation confirmed by a last day defeat at Old Trafford.
Burnley (30 points), 2009-2010
Clocking in with the joint-lowest points tally for a play-off winner in the last seven years are Burnley. First Owen Coyle and then Brian Laws tried and failed to keep the Clarets afloat with a budget that was swamped by their Premier League rivals. The Lancashire club conserved their funds though, providing a base to go for promotion once more in years to come.
Hull City (35 points), 2008-2009
It’s fair to say Hull’s inaugural Premier League season was value for money. Geovanni’s rasper against Arsenal? Check. Manager Phil Brown’s half time team talk v Manchester City? Check. Top of the league in October? Check. It didn’t last though, and the Tigers survived relegation on the final day of the season by a single point.
Derby County (11 points), 2007-2008
If there’s one team Huddersfield want to avoid repeating, it’s Derby County. The Rams set a new Premier League low of 11 points on their return to the top-flight after six years away. Victory over Newcastle United in September would prove to be the club’s solitary victory throughout the entire campaign.
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