George Burley and David Sheepshanks welcomed Town's return to Europe via the Fair Play League after last night's draw. However, the chairman says that a return to the Premiership is the priority while Burley hopes the club have learnt from last year's mistakes.

Sheepshanks was delighted to hear the news from the draw in Switzerland: "It's fantastic news for the club and I am particularly thrilled for the fans. Let no one be under any illusions, this will not deflect us from our main priority which is getting bakc in the Premiership.

"It is amazing that when it goes wrong for us as it did last season, we hardly dared believe that there was a possibility of a silver lining. It's been a very tough time over thge last few weeks for everybody connected with the club. Relegation is a very bitter pill to swallow."

"We will giove it our best shot but our primary focus is getting back in the Premiership."

Last season's European run which took the Blues to Moscow, Helsingborg and then Milan, has been blamed by many for Town's poor showing in the first half of last season. Boss George Burley feels that Town will have taken heed of the lessons of last year: "Hopefully, we have learned from the mistakes of last season."

But like Sheepshanks he feels it is excellent news for fans: "It is tremendous for our supporters. We had a great experience in Europe last season and are again looking forward to being back there again."

Coach Bryan Hamilton, the first casualty of Town's relegation, has also said that promotion is Town's main task next season: "It's terrific news. The fans really deserve it, they haven't been well served recently and for the players themselves it will be a fantastic boost.

"But the priority has to be promotion, getting back in the Premiership as soon as possible."

Town will welcome Europe from a financial perspective as well as a footballing one. It is likely that TV rights will be sold for the qualifying game and any matches which follow in the competition proper.

In addition Town's sponsorship deal with TXU Energi will provide the Blues with more cash. The deal signed last summer was worth up to £7 million with Town gaining larger amounts per season if they were involved in the more high profile Premiership or in European competition.

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