Chief executive Mark Devlin reckons a Championship play-off berth means the club’s Premier League ambitions must now be taken seriously.

Goals from Alex Pritchard, Jota and Andre Gray bagged a 3-0 final day win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday and defeats for Derby County and Ipswich Town meant they finished fifth in the table.

They host Middlesbrough on Friday night in the first leg of their play-off semi-final hoping to set up a shot at securing a place in the top flight via the most lucrative match in world football.

And Devlin believes the strides the club has made on and off the pitch means nobody will be surprised if they get to the promised land.

“If I’m honest I thought Reading wouldn’t get anywhere near Derby and I thought Blackburn might have a chance, but for both results to go our way - it is just drama all the time in the Championship,” he said.

“Getting to the play-offs is more about a sense of excitement for the fans, giving a sense of achievement for the players and it is all about continuing to put Brentford on the map.

“People are beginning to take the club seriously on and off the field. When I speak to my counterparts in the league we are not thought of as some bumbling little club in west London that no-one even knows where it is.

“We’re not Manchester United, but I think people have some respect for the club.

He added: “Anything could happen in the play-offs. We are as good as anyone in the division on our day.

“We have to believe. When you look at the quality on show with all the other teams in there, we are a match for all of them. Everyone has a good chance.”