"Fantastic" was the word coach Mark Miller used to describe Hibernians' achievement in winning the 2008-09 Premier League title, the 10th in the club's history.
"The players have been fantastic this season," Miller told The Times after yesterday's goalless draw against Valletta.
"I'm so happy that we've won this league. This was the most difficult game I've been involved in. I wanted so much to win this title because I felt that, despite all the good things the team had done during the season, it wouldn't have been the same had we lost.
"I honestly believe that we can build from here. Our success shows that a small club with a big heart can do it."
The Hibs clan derived added delight from the manner of their latest triumph as they defied gloomy pre-season forecasts to outsmart the highly-rated Valletta for the title.
"We've beaten the strongest squad in the Premier League and the club with the biggest support in Malta," Miller remarked.
"There have been many ifs and buts in the title race. We would have won the title earlier had we beaten Sliema and Valletta will probably feel that their defeat to Marsaxlokk cost them the title. It (title race) came to the final game against Valletta who had already beaten us twice this season.
"For our team, today's game was about getting the result we needed. We had to defend well to stop Valletta who have so many stars in their squad and my players managed to do that brilliantly."
Miller dedicated Hibs' title to his partner Rosanne.
"I want to dedicate this success to her... she has always supported me," he said.
"She brought me to the stadium and started crying with emotion. It's unbelievable... she wanted this success more than me."
Mario Muscat, the Hibs captain, said: "I believe we deserve this league title. At the start of the season no-one gave us a chance but we worked hard and always remained positive."
Victor Sciriha, the Valletta president, cut a dejected figure after the match but he has already started to think about making his team stronger for next season.
"I'm very disappointed," Sciriha said. "I'm sorry for the thousands of fans who came to the stadium today. Our team enjoyed more possession than Hibs but we struggled in attack.
"Hibs deserve to win this title. They were consistent whereas we dropped vital points in draws.
"We have already started to work on strengthening the weak points in our squad. We have lined up some new signings but we will announce them when the time is right."
League titles
Sliema Wanderers - 26
Floriana - 25
Valletta - 19
Hibs - 10
Ħamrun Spartans - 7
Birkirkara - 2
Rabat Ajax - 2
St George's - 1
Marsaxlokk - 1
KOMR - 1