Huddersfield Town's play-off celebrations represented more than reaching Wembley final alone

The throng of blue and white humanity that poured onto the pitch at the John Smith’s Stadium upon the final whistle of their play-off semi-final was not just a celebration: it was an exorcism.

Three years of pent up anger, misery and angst dissipated into the humid air as Harry Toffolo, Tom Lees, Levi Colwill and co were ceremonially hoisted up onto the shoulders of the Huddersfield Town fans. The Spanish shaman who had led the banishment of all those frightful spirits ran from the dugout and threw his arms aloft, signalling the end of a spell he had been casting for nine long months.

Carlos Corberan would not welcome that description, of course. The master empiricist would point out that what we have witnessed from this season is no spell, but the result of months of diligent planning, preparation, hard work, determination and skill.

Through those means, Corberan has put Huddersfield Town at the cutting edge of Championship football – but sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, and on the night, you could not blame the Terriers fans for opting not to interrogate that illusion lest it should fade away like waking from a dream. That wilful stupor is the basis of all of life’s most cherished moments.

For three years, Huddersfield Town had been a source of consternation; something fans would prefer not to think about, but on which they were nonetheless hopelessly addicted. You can kick smoking and caffeine more easily than you can kick football, even if there are moments you might wish you had never picked up the habit in the first place. But it is times like these – or, more accurately, the promise of times like these – that keep you coming back for more.

Gone, now, are thoughts of the prospect