Bologna return to the top flight after victory over Pisa, leaving President Alfredo Cazzola and Coach Daniele Arrigoni to enjoy the celebrations.
The Felsinei, who were pre-season favourites for the title, started the afternoon with the advantage over Lecce in the race to join Chievo in Serie A.
Bologna had to match Lecce’s result against Vicenza in their home game against play-off contenders Pisa to ensure promotion and they did so when both sides won 1-0.
“We have worked with enthusiasm over the last three years and that has allowed us to recover as a club to the point where 35,000 people turned up today,” Rossoblu chief Cazzola boomed.
“This club and this city definitely deserve a place in Serie A. We asked the fans not to invade the pitch so that the squad could do a lap of honour and they did.
“I am very proud that we have completed the mission we set for ourselves two and a half years ago.”
There had been suggestions that Cazzola would lead an exodus by handing over the reigns at the Stadio Renato Dall”Ara, but that certainly isn’t the case now.
“Everyone will be staying for next year,” he declared. “I have an agreement with Arrigoni that he will be offered a new deal the minute that we reach Serie A and that is now.
“As for me, I am the owner, the majority shareholder, the President and I don’t have any intention of stepping down.”
As fans went wild in Piazza Maggiore, tactician Arrigoni was left to revel in his success.
“We started the season looking to get to Serie A,” he reflected.
“The older players gave a push to the younger ones and we made a group that could get to the top flight.
“Who will win the play-offs? Lecce fought hard and are the strongest side.”
The play-offs see Lecce take on Pisa and Albinoleffe face Brescia.
