James Tomkins: 'West Ham United belong in Premier League'

West Ham United defender James Tomkins is adamant that the club belong in the Premier League after achieving promotion from the Championship.

The Hammers gained qualification to the Premier League after beating Blackpool 2-1 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Saturday, and Tomkins says that the Londoners belong in the top flight.

"We're back where we belong. It's been a long season. Our aim was to get automatically promoted but to come to Wembley and do it this way was special," Tomkins told talkSPORT.

"It's something special to win here. It's the first time I've played at Wembley before and it's something that I'll remember throughout my life.

"I'm just happy that West Ham are back to where they belong."

The Irons return to the top tier of English football having been relegated from the division back in May 2011.