Happy times - West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has spoke of his delight after the Hammers secured promotion to the Premier League with a 2-1 play-off final victory at Wembley.

Ricardo Vaz Te’s late strike at Wembley secured the win as the east Londoners made an instant return to the top flight following last season’s relegation.

Allardyce replaced the sacked Avram Grant for the start of the campaign, with his only brief to get West Ham back into the top flight.

“It’s everything to me because I have been in Premier League for more than 10 years or so and I wanted to come here and experience a successful season,” he told Sky Sports.

“It was very difficult to turn club around with relegation problem. We came good right at the very end.

“I will look forward to celebration first before I think about the Premier league next year, we are absolutely delighted. We’ve got we want we are going up!”

Victory was not always assured especially after the Tangerines dominated the second half, equalising just three minutes into the second period through Thomas Ince, whose strike cancelled out Carlton Cole’s first half opener.

“I told you it would be difficult,” Allardyce added. “Blackpool were equally as good as us but it is about finishing power in the end. It is about taking your chances.”