Promotion celebration scenes on the south coast nine years on

It was an astonishing day that saw so many different emotions but ended in joyous celebrations as Watford clinched promotion back to the Premier League nine years ago today.

April 25, 2015 had begun with a travelling army of almost 3,200 fans heading to the south coast to see the Hornets face Brighton & Hove Albion in a lunchtime kick-off.

The visitors struggled in the opening quarter of the game, prompting boss Slavisa Jokanovic to make an early change and bring on Daniel Tozser for Ikechi Anya. Within four minutes, Troy Deeney had fired Watford in front.

The Hornets celebrate in front of their fans after full-time (Image: Action Images)

The Hornets had their chances to make the afternoon more comfortable before a thrilling climax saw Deeney set up Matej Vydra to score a late second to leave their side four points clear at the top of the Championship at that stage.

There were wonderful scenes after the final whistle (Image: Action Images)

It was then a question of waiting as the tension continued to build through a rollercoaster afternoon that saw both Middlesbrough and Norwich City fail to get the results they needed to deny Watford promotion.

More than 3,000 Watford supporters made the journey that day (Image: Action Images)

The Hornets were back in the Premier League and a big party could now get started.

Almen Abdi tries to get away from Dale Stephens (Image: Watford Observer)

Here are some scenes from that memorable afternoon on the south coast nine years ago today.

Troy Deeney fires the Hornets into a first-half lead (Image: Action Images)

The Watford skipper celebrates after making the breakthrough (Image: Watford Observer)

Victory secured: Matej Vydra celebrates netting the Hornets' second goal (Image: Action Images)

Watford were to be promoted that day having fallen short at Wembley two years previously (Image: Action Images)

An exhausted-looking Ben Watson embraces Adlene Guedioura (Image: Action Images)

The celebrations were to continue long into the night (Image: Action Images)