Leeds United's long wait is over, and the 49ers-backed club is headed back to the Premier League.
The 49ers-backed club officially secured promotion Friday, clinching their return to England's top flight for the first time since 2004 thanks to West Brom's 2-1 loss to Huddersfield.
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Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion last season, the first since the 49ers purchased a 10 percent stake, after losing to Derby County in the semi-final of the Championship play-offs. Legendary Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa returned to Leeds' touchline this season with promotion firmly on the club's mind, and the Whites responded in kind. Leeds needs just a draw in Saturday's (narratively well-timed) match against Derby to clinch the Championship title, which would be the club's first trophy of any kind since winning England's top flight in the last season before the Premier League's inception.
Premier League matches will return to Elland Road for at least next season, bringing with it renewed rivalries with Manchester United and Chelsea (managed by former Derby boss Frank Lampard, whose "Spygate" row with Bielsa makes the New England Patriots' cheating scandals look tame). Should Bielsa extend his contract, Leeds are well-equipped to become a sustainable Premier League side.
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Leeds are an obvious choice for any Faithful looking for a club to support, with the Whites' ties to the 49ers and the teams' surprisingly extensive similarities only bolstering that case.
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But whether a new Leeds supporter or a lifelong one, all can officially say they support a Premier League club.