Norwich sit top of the First Division, and although the title is still up for grabs with West Brom only two points behind, the gap to third spot means that Worthington's side are now guaranteed a place in the top-flight.

Nigel was watching the club's reserves at Carrow Road on Wednesday night when news came up from London that Sunderland had failed to get the required three points that would mean that, mathematically at least, they could still catch the Canaries.

"It's been a lot of hard work - but I'm proud to be manager of this football club tonight," he said.

"The one thing we have got to do now is finish it off.  I want to get a medal for the players."

We've followed the fortunes of the Norfolk outfit since Nigel joined TheFA.com team last year and he was quietly confident that his side would clinch promotion sooner rather than later when he spoke to us on Friday afternoon.  At that point Norwich required three wins to be certain of going up: "I think we'll know one way or the other by next weekend." he predicted.

A 5-0 thumping of Walsall on Saturday, and with Sunderland slipping at home to West Brom, followed by defeat at Selhurst Park, means their goal has been reached earlier than expected.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet," added Nigel, "I'm glad we've achieved it with four games to go, now it's a major challenge ahead and we'll take it as it comes."

West Brom, in second spot, can also earn promotion on Saturday if Sunderland fail to beat Wigan in the lunchtime kick-off or if the Baggies themselves pick up a point against already-relegated Bradford City.