In the Old Market Square, beneath overcast skies, plumes of red smoke and the fug of post-Wembley celebrations, those with Nottingham Forest in their hearts gathered to savour the present and embrace the future.
Just a few yards down the road from the statue of Brian Clough in familiar pose, hands clasped above his head in triumph, Steve Cooper and his players stepped on to the balcony of the city's Council House to salute a sea of jubilant fans.
In the place where they used to parade the European Cup, they hung a banner declaring 'We are Premier League' and Cooper's new generation set their sights beyond promotion, and Sunday's 1-0 win against Huddersfield in the play-off final.