IT was unquestionably a case of when, rather than if, the record-chasing Wanderers would be crowned champions.

Colin Todd’s Whites had been streets ahead of the rest all season and had already booked their return ticket to the Premier League.

But securing the title away from home against derby rivals was an indication of their overwhelming superiority.

“This is Utopia for me” Todd said, brimming with pride after seeing his team come from behind to clinch the championship with four games to spare.

“It’s a tremendous feeling. It just gets better and better.

“There were a lot of people ready to fire the gun at me at the start of the season — some of our own supporters included. The bookies had City as favourites and didn’t fancy our chances.

“But I knew I could be a winner myself and it’s a great feeling to know that we have won the championship in the style of champions.”

City threatened to frustrate Wanderers when Georgi Kinkladze put them in front after 24 minutes with a quickly-taken free kick, but they were back on terms when substitute Mixu Paatelainen — on for the injured John McGinlay — snatched a fortuitous equaliser 14 minutes later. Nevertheless, Todd was far from happy and gave his team an ear-bashing at half-time — and they responded in the manner of true champions. The second half was worthy of the champagne celebrations that followed, Scott Sellars scoring the winner in the 58th minute that meant Wanderers had the title well and truly in the bag — 20 points clear of their nearest rivals.

City: Wright, Brightwell, Horlock, Ingram (Atkinson 79), Symons, Brannan, Summerbee, McGoldrick, Kernaghan, Kinkladze, Rosler. Not used: Crooks, Clough.

Wanderers: Branagan, McAnespie, Phillips, Pollock, Taggart, Fairclough, Frandsen, Sellars, Blake, McGinlay (Paatelainen 20), Thompson.

Not used: Johansen, Sheridan.

Referee: Richard Poulain (Huddersfield).

Attendance: 28,026.