In a heady mix of tipples, the beer town of Burton on Trent has temporarily switched to champagne in celebration of Albion's promotion to The Coca-Cola League.

Fifty-nine years after the club's formation the Brewers are for the first time set to taste League football, though when they make their debut in August they will be following in the footsteps of three previous Burton sides who have been in The Football League.

The Swifts, the Wanderers and United were variously League clubs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but not since 1907 has the name Burton been seen on a Football League fixture list.

That's about to change, to the delight of everyone involved with a club which for some time has been one of the country's most progressive non-league outfits and which boasts a splendid headquarters in the 2005-built Pirelli Stadium.

As Chairman Ben Robinson savoured the prospect of his Blue Square Premier champions stepping up to The League, he said: "Our promotion means every bit as much to the town as it does to the football club, and the success we've had reflects the people and businesses of the town."

Robinson paid tribute to former manager Nigel Clough, who spent 10 years at Burton before his January move to Championship club Derby County, and to caretaker manager Roy McFarland for completing the promotion task.

It was a close call in the end, the Brewers losing five of their last six matches and winning the league by just two points after being 19 clear at one stage. But Robinson, who is in his 35th year of involvement with the club, said: "A league is won over a season, not just six games.

"Yes, we had a poor run over the last few weeks, but the important thing was to finish the season as champions and I'm delighted for Nigel, for Roy and the players, and of course for our supporters who have been tremendous."

Clough drove to Torquay on Sunday to watch his former club's last match of the campaign, but five minutes before the end of the 2-1 defeat he left the stadium in order to allow the spotlight to fall on McFarland and the players.

The ex-boss said later, however: "I'm absolutely delighted for everyone concerned - the title is thoroughly deserved. It's a fitting reward for all the hard work that's been put in by so many people at the club."

McFarland said: "It's been a nerve-wracking time for us, but the players have been resilient and we've dealt with what we had to deal with. We've made history, because Burton Albion are now a Football League club and deservedly so."

Former England defender and one time Derby manager McFarland may stay at the club, though probably not as manager. "I would gladly, in whatever role, like to help," he said. "If the chairman asks me to stay on in some capacity I will be only too pleased to try to help him out."

Robinson will hold talks with McFarland while also considering the appointment of a new manager, and he knows the type of person he would want. "If I had one wish," said the chairman, "it would be to unearth another Nigel Clough."

Under Clough, who originally joined Burton as player manager, the Brewers improved their league standing year on year throughout the decade he was in charge.

"He's given us 10 remarkable, fantastic years," added Robinson. "He inspired players on the pitch, he never wavered in his principles and he gave us consistency and stability - not just with the team but off the field as well - and it's important that we keep all that going to ensure that we can stay in The Football League."