Arsenal, of course, deserve a mention for keeping their incredible unbeaten run going with a win at Fulham - and Liverpool for an impressive 3-0 demolition of Birmingham with England's Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard all on the scoresheet.

Torquay also deserve plaudits for grabbing automatic promotion to the Second Division with a win at Southend, but QPR's triumph topped the lot.

Charismatic manager Ian Holloway has been one of the stars of the season in the Nationwide League, with his bubbling enthusiasm and madcap quotes keeping journalists as well as fans entertained.

His team have been a credit to him, too. They scored an incredible 80 goals during the campaign - and with crowds regularly topping 15,000 it has been a season to remember at Loftus Road.

The arrival of Martin Rowlands from west London rivals Brentford was one of the keys to their success, but the atmosphere generated at the club by Holloway, both on and off the pitch, was equally as important.

It is eight years since QPR played in the Premiership in the days when Gerry Francis was the manager and the R's regularly finished above Arsenal as London's top club.

Relegation in 1996 was just the start of a depressing downward spiral for the club, leading to administration and to the Second Division.

But Holloway, who was a player for QPR in their Premiership days, is a link to their illustrious past and he hopes to get them back there.

There is no doubt that Holloway is QPR through and through - just like striker Kevin Gallen who scored one of the crucial goals at Sheffield on Saturday.

With captain Marc Bircham also an out-and-out Rangers fan, the celebrations yesterday were particularly raucous as players and fans celebrated together at a promotion party. And QPR already have one eye on the Premiership.