BROWNHILL ON INCREDIBLE FEELING OF SEALING PROMOTION

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Midfielder talks turning heartache of relegation into Championship triumph

2023-04-09T09:00:00.000Z

BROWNHILL ON INCREDIBLE FEELING OF SEALING PROMOTION

Midfielder talks turning heartache of relegation into Championship triumph

2023-04-09T09:00:00.000Z

Midfielder talks turning heartache of relegation into Championship triumph

As the Riverside Stadium emptied on Friday evening, Josh Brownhill reflected on an incredible year following Burnley's Premier League promotion at Middlesbrough.

Describing the incredible feeling, the Claret opened up on how the struggle of last season's relegation made the magnitude of the victory, at such an early stage in the season, all the more special.

“It just means everything. I think you can tell from the lads' celebrations at the end, it’s an incredible feeling. I haven’t been promoted out of this division, it’s something I wanted to do and to get it done here, tonight, for Burnley, for the fans, it’s incredible.

“It’s very emotional because it lingers over you from what happened last year, you want to forget it, but you can’t really because you get relegated and it’s something that you can’t forget. I think tonight, it’s massive for everybody involved. It’s come quite soon as well which is good, you can sort of take that little bit of pressure off and enjoy it for the rest of the season but there’s still games there to go and be champions. We’ll enjoy tonight, the fans, and us, and the staff and everybody and there’s another big game Monday.”

BROWNHILL ON INCREDIBLE FEELING OF SEALING PROMOTION - Image 1

The visitors took an early lead before the home side equalised through a Chuba Akpom penalty just three minutes into the second-half.

“I thought first half we were good, created a few chances, obviously got the goal and you know the worst thing to do is come out after half-time and concede, it doesn’t help anybody. The momentum goes with them and you’ve got to rally everybody around you, there’s still a long, long way to go and there’s going to be chances probably for either team. Thankfully we took our chance and that feeling when the ball hits the net, it’s just sensational really.”

That sensational feeling came in the 66th minute when Nathan Tella found Connor Roberts in the box, with Brownhill delighted for the right-back.

“Unbelievable, I’m so happy for him. He’s had an up and down season at the beginning, in and out and, he’s scored some good goals, some big moments and for him I think it will mean a lot considering I think he was here on loan as well. Didn’t really play many games, I think maybe one, so I feel like for him I’m really delighted. As a lad he’s a really good lad as well.”

BROWNHILL ON INCREDIBLE FEELING OF SEALING PROMOTION - Image 2

Full-time saw big celebrations, with Brownhill happy to send the travelling Clarets home happy.

“It’s incredible. It’s a shame it’s not at home where we can have it in front of our own fans but for the fans that have come all this way, they deserved it and like I say, you know what’s at stake before the game but you don’t want to feel it because there’s a game to play. The last five minutes you’re looking at the clock, you’re looking at the referee and I was getting a bit of goosebumps, thinking that we’re five minutes away from the Premier League. As soon as that final whistle went you don’t really know how you’re going to react and yeah it just took over and it goes really fast. That feeling you just want to bottle it up and keep it forever.”

Vice-captain to fellow midfielder Jack Cork, Brownhill took great pride in wearing the armband too for Friday night's occasion.

BROWNHILL ON INCREDIBLE FEELING OF SEALING PROMOTION - Image 3

“Absolutely [I felt the responsibility]. Whether I’m wearing the captain’s armband or not, Jack Cork has been excellent and as a lad as well he’s brilliant, the way he helps everybody and when he’s not on the pitch I take the responsibility. However, with or without the armband I’ll try and lead and take everybody through. The thing about me I’ll give 100% no matter what. I might not have the best game all of the time but there’s one thing you can guarantee, I’ll work hard and I’ll get everybody going. To wear the armband coming out here, with a game that means a lot, it means a lot to me as well, I was really delighted.”

Finally, the Clarets have Easter Monday in their sights now, with Sheffield United the visitors at Turf Moor.

“I’m excited to be honest. It’s a chance for another game, to go and hopefully win, against a team that beat us early on this season. There’s a lot at stake still to try and be crowned champions, it’s what we want to do. It’s a good feeling, we’re promoted to the Premier League but we want to be champions at the end of the day, so we’re going to fight for that.”