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'As much as it means to us, it means the world to these people': Charlie Austin delighted for West Brom's backroom staff after Premier League promotion eased club's financial fears and says Slaven Bilic's current squad can hold their own in the top flight

The moment West Brom learned they had clinched promotion to the Premier League, Charlie Austin's thoughts turned immediately to the club employees who had spent much of the last four months fearing for their livelihoods.

Austin scored 11 goals in all competitions this season to help seal the second promotion of his career, as West Brom squeezed over the line with a 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers on the final day.

Reaching the top flight is worth about £170million but there is sober reality beyond those numbers. Having worked as a bricklayer until he turned professional in 2009 aged 20, Austin knows what life is like outside football and understands how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the lives of so many.