Not only did the Magpies lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy but they also boasted an average home attendance of 51,108 and an aggregate crowd of 1,175,484 - the highest across the three divisions by some distance.

The club's loyal supporters boosted crowds at many away grounds throughout the season, too.

And that contributed massively towards EFL clubs recording their highest cumulative attendances since 1959, with more than 18 million people making their way through turnstiles across the 72 clubs during the 2016/17 campaign.

That was an 11 per cent increase compared to the previous season and is the 14th highest of all time for the EFL's three divisions, with those higher all recorded in the post-war era between 1947 and 1959 – the highest ever being 23.5million in 1947/48.

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Football attendances clearly benefit from promotion and relegation as those teams carrying larger supporter bases move around divisions.

"But what is particularly pleasing with this latest set of data is the fact the EFL has seen a three per cent growth season-on-season when this factor is removed and you analyse the attendances of the 67 clubs who have been members for the past two seasons.

"It is clear to see that the EFL continues to be one of the most watched football competitions and our clubs deserve huge credit for continuing to find new and innovative ways of encouraging supporters through their turnstiles.

"We know that supporters continue to be the lifeblood of our game and the long-term future of the football in this country is looking very healthy with more and more people choosing to follow their local clubs week in, week out.

"I would like to offer my thanks to everyone that has supported their club by attending a match this season."