Darragh MacAnthony hopes promotion to the Championship will herald a golden era for Peterborough United

Peterborugh United’s self-styled ‘El Presidente’ Darragh MacAnthony wants to turn promotion back to the Championship into a golden era for the club.
Darragh MacAnthony and Jonson Clarke-Harris celebrate promotion to the Championship.Darragh MacAnthony and Jonson Clarke-Harris celebrate promotion to the Championship.
Darragh MacAnthony and Jonson Clarke-Harris celebrate promotion to the Championship.

MacAnthony’s bold decision to dub the 2020-21 season ‘Operation Vengeance’ was vindicated with a game to spare and the club co-owner celebrated with gusto alongside Posh fans after the mother of all comebacks against Lincoln City last weekend (May 1).

But he was back in front of his computer at 6am on Sunday making plans for the Championship.

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It’s that work ethic and attention to detail, alongside a top manager and exceptional staff, which MacAnthony believes gives Posh a chance to survive and then thrive in the second tier.

It’s the third time Posh have ventured into the Championship in MacAnthony’s 15 year reign at London Road, but the club lasted just three seasons in total at the level, and haven’t been back since the tortuous last-gasp relegation at Crystal Palace in 2012-13.

“Eight years ago I watched the most horrific thing happen to our club and that, and what has happened since, made me wonder if the football Gods were telling me this game wasn’t for me,” MacAnthony admitted on his popular ‘Hard Truth’ podcast. “I always feel responsible for what happens to the club. I’ve been carrying battle scars.

“But the Gods work in funny ways. I was in Istanbul when Liverpool won the Champions League Final from 3-0 down. There are iconic, historical matches in football and we had ours last weekend.

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“It’s been a Herculean effort to get us up by all involved on and off the pitch.

“But we’re not going up just to make the numbers up. We’re not going to be a punching bag.

“I was an emotional wreck on Saturday night. I was full of adrenaline and couldn’t sleep so I was back at my computer at six on Sunday morning making plans.

“I want a head start on the opposition. We will need to find our feet quickly, but we are going up to compete.

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“You need physicality in the Championship. You are playing against quicker, fitter, stronger, and technically better players.

“But teams like Coventry, Barnsley and Luton have shown you can survive at Championship level and then progress.

“We will embrace and enjoy the challenge and I really hope it’s the start of a golden era for the club. The club deserves it as does the city.

“We’ve had three great things happen this season with promotion, buying the stadium back and upgrading the Academy and it’s time to build on that.”

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