Even though it happens almost every year, we were still stunned when the Championship season ended in super-dramatic fashion on Saturday lunchtime.
Going into the final day just two meaningful spots needed to be sorted - the last playoff place and third team to be relegated. What followed was truly gripping.
In the race for the playoffs, Reading started the day in the top six and had to equal Brighton & Hove Albion's result against Nottingham Forest in their game against already-promoted Burnley.
It looked like the Royals' 2-2 scoreline against the Clarets would be enough until Leonardo Ulloa nodded home in stoppage time to earn Brighton victory against Forest and the last playoff place.
They will now face Derby County in the upcoming playoff semi-finals, with Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic contesting the other, and you can read our preview of the post-season battle for promotion by clicking here.
At the bottom, Birmingham City went into Saturday's games in the drop zone and were one of four teams who could have joined Yeovil Town and Barnsley in being relegated to League One.
The Blues appeared doomed when Bolton Wanderers went 2-0 up with 15 minutes left, but then roared back to claim a 2-2 draw, with Paul Caddis heading in an injury-time leveller that sent Doncaster Rovers down on goal difference because of their 1-0 loss at champions Leicester City.
Here, Sports Mole highlights the top players and managers in the second tier this season with a best XI, second team and third team, keeping a balanced 4-4-2 in each. Also look out for our goal of the season at the bottom.
You can look back on all of this season's Teams of the Week here.
2013-14 Best XI
Going into the season Burnley were the fourth-favourite for relegation with the bookies. Some might say that Dyche got lucky with his lack of injuries for much of the campaign, but they were without one of either Danny Ings or Sam Vokes for most of the final push for promotion. Achieving automatic promotion with his small squad is such a big achievement for (Breaking Bad reference imminent) English football's Walter White.
The son of Manchester United great Peter has now played every single game of the last three seasons and this year helped the Foxes to the league title. There was the odd clanger (Leicester fans will remember the howler against Doncaster), but Schmeichel kept an impressive third-best 18 clean sheets this season.
The first of three Burnley players in the first team is right-back Trippier. Even though he appeared in more games last season, the 23-year-old shot to prominence this season with his all-action game down the wing. Not only would he make crucial challenges and be part of the league's best defence, he also provided 14 assists and had a particularly good understanding with Ings.
The 30-year-old skipper started all but one of the champions' games this season and was a real leader at the heart of their defence. He will now get the chance to test himself against the very best after coming so close to promotion with Leicester and Forest in the past.
We have the two captains of the two automatically-promoted clubs to lead our best XI. Shackell slots in alongside Morgan and was the linchpin of a Clarets defence that conceded the fewest goals. He also blocked 50 shots, according to Squawka, the second-most in the league.
Like Trippier, Tractor Boys left-back Cresswell is a regular supplier for his teammates and a danger from set pieces. The 23-year-old set up 12 of their goals and with three full Championship seasons now under his belt, Premier League interest is expected this summer.
Perhaps a surprise selection for the best XI is Blackburn's versatile midfielder Cairney. He spent the first half of the season on loan from Hull City before joining Rovers permanently in January and going on to make a big difference as Blackburn just missed out on the playoffs.
Derby's standout player this season. The Scot scored 16 goals - four more than any other midfielder and one of three to get into double figures - to help the Rams to a third-place finish. Derby just got the better of Leicester in our attack league and Bryson's goals were a big reason why.
The third Leicester name in the best XI was arguably their best player in 2013-14. Drinkwater made 700 more passes than anyone else in the division at an accuracy of 82%. He also scored seven goals, five more than any of his other seasons in pro football.
He might have struggled with injuries in the second half of the campaign, but you can't ignore Reid's displays in the opening half and his absence certainly didn't help Forest as they tailed away from the playoffs dramatically. The veteran midfielder was a joy to watch in the opening months and scored nine goals this season.
The deserved winner of the league's best player, England Under-21 international Ings had a breakout season with the high-flying Clarets. His partnership with Sam Vokes was the deadliest in the division (Ings 21, Vokes 20). Not only does he score goals, his endless energy makes him a constant pest for defenders who want time on the ball.
The only real positive in a turbulent season for Leeds United. McCormack topped the scoring charts with 28 goals. It wasn't only goals though as he also led the league in key passes, according to Squawka. Who knows where Leeds would have finished without him?
2013-14 Second Team
Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
Guided the Cherries to their highest-ever league finish (10th) in their first season after promotion, breaking the previous best of Harry Redknapp's side exactly 25 years ago.
Alex McCarthy (Reading)
Made more saves than any other goalie, keeping the Royals in many a game.
Simon Francis (Bournemouth)
Provided a regular threat down the wing for the Cherries but was also the only person in the league to make more than 100 tackles (134), according to Squawka.
Matthew Upson (Brighton)
Brighton had more clean sheets (20) than anyone else in the league and Upson, now 35, played in all but three of Brighton's league games. He had the joint-most interceptions with over 100 and also completed more passes than any other defender.
Clint Hill (QPR)
QPR's hopes of a top-two finish might have slipped away in the second half of the campaign, but it's hard to ignore their run of eight games without conceding a goal (seven wins) at the start of the season.
Craig Forsyth (Derby)
Almost pipped Cresswell into the first team. The Scot played in all but 20 minutes of the Rams' campaign and offered defensive stability as well as a threat going forward. No defender made more passes.
Anthony Knockaert (Leicester)
The Frenchman infamously missed a stoppage-time penalty that would have put Leicester in the playoff final last season but hasn't dwelt on it this campaign. He is a tricky nuisance and an integral cog in Leicester's charge to 102 points.
Jordi Gomez (Wigan)
Squad rotation was the name of the game for Wigan throughout the season because of their Europa League experience and impressive run to the FA Cup semi-finals. It's hard to say who their best player was en route to a fifth-placed finish, but Gomez certainly stands out. Not only did he score big goals in the Cup, he also added seven in the league and will be key for the Latics in the playoffs.
Will Hughes (Derby)
Much was expected of the England Under-21 international going into the season and although he was somewhat outshone by midfield partner Bryson and all those goals, it was still a fine season for Hughes, who had the highest passing accuracy among midfielders.
Craig Conway (Brighton & Blackburn)
The league leader in assists (16) who played for two clubs over the course of the season. After making 13 appearances for Brighton in the first half of the season, Conway found his home with Blackburn and was a star as they charged to the top six.
Sam Vokes (Burnley)
An unfortunate injury ended Vokes's season after he had scored 20 goals in 39 games, flourishing alongside Ings. Dyche will be hoping that he recovers in time for the start of the Premier League season.
Lewis Grabban (Bournemouth)
Fourth in the scoring charts behind McCormack, Jordan Rhodes and Troy Deeney with 22, Grabban certainly enjoyed his first full season in the Championship.
2013-14 Third Team
Steve McClaren (Derby)
Yes, Nigel Pearson hasn't made it as one of the three top bosses. McClaren just edged him out by turning Derby around after an indifferent start to the season. They became one of the most exciting teams in the league and are favourites to advance from the playoffs.
Tom Heaton (Burnley)
It's hard to ignore a man who only let in 0.8 goals a game. The former Cardiff stopper also saved two of the four penalties taken against him.
Luke Ayling (Yeovil)
They finished bottom after their one and only season in the second tier and Yeovil certainly had plenty of defending to do. Ayling made plenty of interceptions and was also a threat going forward.
Jake Buxton (Derby)
An all-action season for Buxton in the heart of the Derby defence. He was a dominant presence in the air and also assured on the ball.
Christophe Berra (Ipswich)
According to Squawka's stats, Berra made a whopping 582 clearances this season, more than anyone else. He was a free signing - one of the best of the summer - and has been a rock under Mick McCarthy in Suffolk.
Stephen Ward (Brighton)
Left Wolves after seven seasons to join Brighton and helped the Seagulls to their league-best 20 clean sheets. He also popped up with the odd important goal, including the first on the final day as they came back to sneak into the playoffs.
Garath McCleary (Reading)
A livewire down the right wing, McCleary also had 12 assists to his name. Look out for his special strike below that wins goal of the season too.
Joey Barton (QPR)
Laughed at by all when he said that he'd never play in the Championship for QPR after last season's loan stint in Marseille. The controversial character is still classy in the middle of the park.
Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough)
Made the fourth-highest number of key passes and also provided nine assists for Boro, who certainly improved once Aitor Karanka took over Tony Mowbray.
Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough)
Adomah was Boro's standout player in the first half of the season and always seemed to be on the scoresheet. He slowed up in the second half of the campaign but still finished with 12 goals to his name.
Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn)
The 24-year-old Scot has now scored 15 or more goals in five straight seasons and was second only to McCormack with 25 this season.
David Nugent (Leicester)
Granted, a lot of his goals do come from the spot but Nugent's impact in attack shouldn't be overlooked. He also set up teammates for goals on 12 occasions, the only forward in double digits for assists.
Goal of the Season - Garath McCleary (Reading) vs. Burnley, May 3, 2014
There were plenty of belters before it, but McCleary's on the final day of the season turned out to be number one. His volleyed strike from outside the box has been compared to Zinedine Zidane's in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen 12 years ago and you can see why. Enjoy!
