[photo via qpr.co.uk]

• by Joe Curtis, writing from Pembroke Pines, FL

Today was the final day of the Premier League season, and the League Champions, Manchester United, were crowned. On the opposite end of the table, today was "Survival Sunday" and three teams reached the end their time in the top flight of English football. Those teams were Birmingham, Blackpool, and West Ham United. Those three will be replaced by three new teams who have won promotion from the Championship. Two of those three have already been established, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City. The third and final spot will be awarded to the winner of the npower Championship playoff.

Queens Park Rangers won the Football League Championship this season. Their promotion to the Premier League was confirmed on the final day of the npower Championship season, when the Club learned that they would not face a points deduction over the transfer of Alejandro Faurlin in 2009. QPR was charged with seven breaches of Football Association regulations. The charges "concern[ed] the alleged existence of an agreement between the club and a third party in respect of [Faurlin's] economic rights, and the alleged failure by the club to notify the FA of that agreement before the player was registered to play in England in July 2009". QPR finished with an impressive record of 24-16-6.

The Norwich City Canaries finished the npower Championship season in second place with a record of 23-15-8. Led by Captain Grant Holt, the Canaries are ready to play in the top flight. "You always want to pit your wits against the best teams, at the highest level you can. I knew, personally, that this was the only way I'd ever achieve that; I didn't think anyone at Premier League level would ever buy me at my age, so this was my way to do it." Holt said. "To do it with a club I enjoy being at, and with a manager you want to work with week-in, week-out - I'm just thankful that's the way it's worked out." Holt has been a big part of the Canaries' run to the Premier League, scoring 22 goals this season. In total, Holt has netted 52 goals in just 91 matches.

The Championship Promotion Playoff Final will take place on Monday May 30th at Wembley Stadium. Reading will take on Swansea City for the third and final promotion spot. Reading reached the Final after defeating Cardiff City 3-0. Their opponent, Swansea City, reached the Final after defeating Nottingham Forest 3-1. The Final kicksoff at 10:00 AM.

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