West Bromwich Albion angered fans yesterday by rejecting a victory parade to celebrate promotion to the Premiership.
Officials at the Championship winners said they declined the offer of an open-top bus tour and civic reception to concentrate on preparing for the Premier League.
Jubilant supporters had been hoping to salute their heroes with a cavalcade and reception at the Council House in Oldbury, just as they did in May 2005 when the Baggies last reached the Premiership.
The club said: "The club can confirm we have informed Sandwell Council we are unable to participate in a civic reception to celebrate our Championship success. As a club, we regard this as only the start of an exciting journey under our management team and we now want to focus all our attentions on preparing for the Premier League."
The statement also noted a capacity crowd had celebrated Albion's promotion in their final home game, while almost 3,000 Baggies fans witnessed their title-clinching win at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
Many West Brom fans have been critical of the decision not to mark Albion's first league title win for more than 80 years with a public parade.
Terry Wills, who watched his first Albion match in 1941, said he found it hard to believe there would be no civic reception and the club had snubbed supporters.
"I am as devastated as anyone else with this decision. This is the first Championship the club has won for 88 years and it is bitterly disappointing the fans will not be able to get up close with the team and the manager and enjoy a fantastic event as they did in 2005."
Senior Sandwell councillor Darren Cooper, a fan for 40 years, said: "I am bitterly disappointed. There would have been 20,000 to 30,000 fans on the streets to salute the players and the manager. This is a sad day for everyone who follows the club. It is an anti-climax after a terrific campaign."
Sandwell Council leader Bill Thomas said: "I am sure it is disappointing for the fans, but I suppose it is understandable."
