Jubilant Boro fans celebrate promotion in Middlesbrough's centre square

Chants of “we are going up” rang out around the town as hundreds of ecstatic fans, young and old, created a carnival atmosphere in scenes which many described as reminiscent of the pre-play off final festivities in Trafalgar Square, in London, last year.

• Celebrations marred by bottle throwing yobs and pools of vomit

The sense of relief was palpable after such a tense climax to a memorable season.

Chris Clemence, who was among those celebrating at centre square, said: “This is the relief from what we had to put up with after the play off final last year.

“People were thinking 'we will mess it up, we always do' but not this time.”

Superfan Mike Stone, formerly from Thornaby, who now lives in Manchester but attends most Boro games, at home and away, said: "We are ecstatic and love that Boro are back in the big time.

"We have it on good authority that Karanka is staying. Leicester City, we are coming to get you."

Andrew Higgins, from Bishop Auckland, described the scenes inside the Riverside as “absolutely mental” at the full-time whistle, and Paul Eaton, from Middlesbrough, said that the bumper, vocal crowd was like a “12th man”.

He added: “I am over the moon, I’m still in a state of disbelief.

“I’m lost for words.

“It was just a case of holding our nerve, at the end of the day, and we did it.”

Reuben Pratt, aged nine, from Redcar said: “I have never seen Boro in the Premier League before so it is amazing to feel this experience.

“I was two when they dropped out of the Premier League so it is brilliant to go back up and hopefully we will stay there.”

His seven-year-old brother, Theo, added: “It was a bit nerve-wracking in the last few minutes of the game but now I feel good because we won.”

Brothers nine-year-old Reuben and Theo Pratt, aged seven, were among those celebrating

Will Nett, from Ormesby, author of My Only Boro – A Walk Through Red & White, said: “I am feeling relieved more than anything else.

“We have done it the hard way, as I thought we would.

“Hopefully this is the beginning of something new and positive.

“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”

Richard Bailey, from Middlesbrough, added: “The atmosphere is electric, everyone’s absolutely buzzing.

“I did always think it was going to be 1 – 1 today.”

James Bradshaw, from Linthorpe, said: “This is what we have strived for for seven years.

“The atmosphere feels just like it was at Wembley but at home.”