HALLELUJAH! There at last! Blackburn Rovers are back where they belong -- in the Premiership!

Last night's victory at Preston put paid to the purgatory the club and its fans have suffered for two years after being pitched out of the top flight.

But now they're back, let one thing be clear this time -- they're back for good.

Now, amid the rejoicing over the side clinching promotion after a nail-biting climax to the season, what is vital for Rovers, a club with an unmatched history, and for the prestige of the town they represent, is that this celebration is not just of their rightful return to the big time, but also of their permanent presence there.

That was what Jack Walker wanted for the side he loved and dragged from mediocrity to the pinnacle of English soccer.

This time, in tribute to him and Rovers' proud history, there must be no slackening of the pace and no easing up on ambition.

For more than last night's hard-won and deserved promotion, what is expected now is even greater glory in the Premiership.

Let Rovers begin at once to build on this triumph -- to prove that they are not just a First Division side with qualifications for Premiership status, but a Premiership side to be reckoned with at home -- and in Europe.

Let there be no resting back on laurels this time.

Think back for a moment to the club's stuttering start to the season -- when even hero manager Graeme Souness briefly wrote off Rovers' promotion hopes -- and consider the transformation climaxed by Matt Jansen's crucial goal.

It marked a fantastic journey from despair to ecstasy

And Graeme and his players deserve all the thanks of every Blackburn fan for having fought and won the battle that brought about.

Now let them go to even greater things.