Sheffield United Promotion party at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Martin Cranie, the popular loanee, stripped to his underwear, not for the first or last time. Dean Henderson let out some of the nervous energy he had earlier showed by sprinting the length of the Bramall Lane pitch; Chris Basham, calmness personified, had a kickabout with his young son on the lush, green turf that would soon host some of the greatest players in the world.

A year ago today, Sheffield United had just officially secured promotion to the top-flight of English football. And the walls of the club's International Bar were shaking.

Moments earlier the final whistle had blown 30 miles up the road at Elland Road. Leeds, United's nearest challengers, could only draw 1-1 with Aston Villa in a game they needed to win, even if just to delay United's promotion celebrations. But in remarkable and bizarre scenes, Leeds had allowed Villa to walk the ball in to equalise, after a controversial opening goal.

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Debate later raged about the rights and wrongs of that decision but United couldn't care less. As the seconds ticked down John Garrett prepared the champagne and unfurled the banners that, in three short, wonderful words, summed up the mood so perfectly.

We're going up.

The final whistle was greeted with an explosion of noise, beer and Kean Bryan's deadlocks. Newly-crowned Premier League players danced precariously on booze-soaked tables and Billy Sharp showed off his party-piece by standing on his head near the bar.

Boss Chris Wilder took an emotional moment away from the celebrations to take a walk up the Kop with his wife, Francesca, where they sat and wondered how the hell, two years after United finally escaped the clutches of League One, all this had happened.

When they returned and Wilder sought another Birra Moretti, Francesca and her daughter danced laps around the International Bar as Sweet Caroline boomed from the speakers. Mark Duffy, excused from the celebrations to visit an ill relative, was showered in beer as soon as he arrived. Outside the doors, sat on the posh seats and overlooking an empty Bramall Lane, John Fleck simply shook his head in disbelief.

Wilder, who showered Sky Sports presenter Richard Graves with beer on air, later struggled to contain his emotions in another interview

“We've just come absolutely steaming through and deserve to play Premier League football," he said.

"It’ll be a fabulous experience for everyone at our football club.

Martin Cranie of Sheffield United strips off again: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

"We had a lot of pelters for six years when we were in League One and a lot of crap to put up with, for a long long time. Now, it’s our time. We’ve got to enjoy it. We’ll enjoy this period and we might take a few thumpings. But everyone said that in the Championship, as well. Two years, in and out.

“In, year, out. See ya.”

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Billy Sharp showed off his party piece: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

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Chris and Francesca Wilder enjoyed a private moment of reflection after promotion was secured: Simon Bellis/Sportimage