Mick McCarthy’s side beat Leicester 2-1 in front of almost 35,000 fans at the Stadium of Light to set off wild celebrations and guarantee promotion after rivals Ipswich could only draw at Leeds.

Manager McCarthy said: "I was as emotional as anyone at the end. The relief was incredible and when the Ipswich result came through from Leeds I was crying too.

"In terms of achievement it doesn’t get much better. The players deserve so much credit. They are the hardest working side in the country."

Sunderland now need just two more points to clinch the Championship title.

Elsewhere, Cardiff deserve a mention after scoring a shock 2-0 home victory over Reading that gives them hope of avoiding relegation.

And Luton clinched the League 1 championship with a 2-1 away win at Wrexham that crowned a wonderful season for Mike Newell’s men.

But what about Aldershot Town’s achievement in the Conference? The club was started from scratch by fans after the old Aldershot FC became the first Football League team since Workington in 1962 to fold.

They started in the Diadora Isthmian League, five levels below the professional ranks, but are now tantalisingly close to an emotional return to League football.

Last year Aldershot finished fifth in the Conference and lost in the play-off final to Shrewsbury.

This year they are aiming to go one better, and sealed a play-off spot again when striker Tim Sills scored twice to beat Scarborough 2-0 on Saturday in front of 4,437 fans at the Recreation Ground.

Up in the Premiership, Portsmouth produced an outstanding performance to beat Southampton 4-1 in the big south coast derby on Sunday.

And Crystal Palace will say they deserve a mention for beating Liverpool 1-0 with a goal from England’s Andy Johnson.

But when it comes to achievements this weekend, none can really match the celebrations up on Wearside.