It was a case of triumph and tragedy of Charlton boss Chris Powell at the weekend after the Addicks were promoted to the Championship.

Powell said: “It’s a big day for our football club. We’ve had it tough recently in the past few years and it’s a small step forward in our history.

“I’m really proud to be the man at the helm, but my staff, all my players and the board have backed me from the day I came in.

“Days like this don’t come around too often and I’m emotional. It’s my mum’s birthday as well, so I think it was meant to be, I really do.

“Ten months of training and hard work have culminated in our performance today,” he added. “We were tested by Carlisle and I think my players were a bit nervy because they knew exactly what could happen.

“I’m proud that Bradley Wright-Phillips got the goal for us and we’ve been tremendous away from home.

“We’ve played some really good football and some determined football when our backs have been against the wall. They’ve shown a togetherness and I’m emotional for them because they are a young group and they’ve really worked hard to have a day like this. It’s a proud moment.”

The Addicks can now start to plan for life back in the second tier after a three-year stint in League One, and it’s something to relish according to the manager.

“The Championship is something for us to look forward to,” he said.

“We always felt we had a chance, but the Sheffield clubs have been on a tremendous run and kept the pressure on. But we stood up to that.

“Carlisle hit the post and it was a fantastic effort from their lads, but I’m really happy today because it plays with your emotions sometimes when you are a manager.

“Sometimes you want to choose the right 11 and you want to choose the right subs, and I’m always sitting up at home. I think my wife and kids must wonder what’s going on with me at times.

“But you think deeply about the game and your team and you wonder have you done it right and have you set them up right, and I think I’ve done it more often than not this year. I’m really proud of all my players and my football club this year.”

The manager added: “I’m sure the board will be thinking we can look at the other clubs that have made the step up, with Norwich City being one and Southampton being very close now, but it’s about what sort of football club we are.

“We can’t emulate them – well we might able to – but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do and I’m just proud that today is a special day for Charlton Athletic.

“To take a team up in any division is a big achievement for any football manager, but it’s come very early for me.

“I’ve worked very hard for it and my staff have. I don’t get much sleep sometimes, but it’s up there for me. If I surpass this, then I’ll be doing very well, but I want to be a success and today is just a small step in what I want to do in my career.”

Powell also hailed the fans, all 930 that made the arduous pilgrimage north to the Scottish borders.

“To come all this way and see us go up is great for them,” he said. “It’s a hat-trick of promotions at Carlisle in our history, and I’m really, really happy that our fans were here to share the moment.

“I’m also happy for the fans back in London and all over the world. You know we have Charlton fans everywhere and I really hope that they have a special moment for themselves and enjoy the moment and raise a glass to their football club.”