Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder held aloft a George Baldock shirt at full-time as he celebrated his side securing a first Steel City Derby double since 2006.
A goal from ex-Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster secured United a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday and lifted them back into the Championship's top two.
In October 2024, former Blades defender Baldock was tragically found dead in a swimming pool at his home in Greece at the age of just 31 - months later, the exact cause of his death is still unknown.
Baldock made 205 appearances for United over a seven-year period and went on to join Greek side Panathinaikos in May.
After six additional minutes on Sunday, and with a famous victory finally assured, Wilder turned to his detractors in the home stands, punched the air and roared manically.
With good reason. Not only had his United side secured a first league double over their sworn enemies in 19 years, they had also moved level on points with Championship leaders Leeds.
More bragging rights over their bitter Steel City rivals. More belief that this United side can achieve another automatic promotion to the Premier League under Wilder.
Brewster’s second-half strike decided a tense, close-fought skirmish but for Wilder it went deeper. This was personal.
The boyhood Blade, who played for his hometown club but never appeared in a Sheffield derby, felt Wednesday counterpart Danny Rohl had disrespected United beforehand when describing them as long-ball merchants.
A visibly emotional Wilder said: 'He was factually wrong on a few things and wrong about us being a direct team.
'We’ve found many ways to win games of football whereas Sheffield Wednesday are on 51 points – their season’s done.
'I don’t think he should start mind games when he’s not won anything.
'I went for a run this morning to clear my head and all I was thinking about was winning a game of football.
'It’s a great time to be a Sheffield United fan. I told the players that they can be part of the journey.’
United have developed a habit of winning tight games and Brewster’s 64th-minute tap-in – from Tyrese Campbell’s deflected cross – secured a sixth successive away victory.
Brewster’s strike prompted a number of home fans to hurl missiles – including a flare – onto the pitch, which could lead to Football Association charges.
Wilder added: 'It’s difficult for people to control their emotions because they’re that passionate about their team and club.
'Things have gone over the line recently and the authorities need to try and do what they need to do about it.'
United goalkeeper Michael Cooper was superb in keeping the Owls at bay, tipping over a first-half Michael Smith header and then producing another excellent save from Marvin Johnson late on.
As the chant ‘Chrissy Wilder, he’s one of our own’ rang out from the away end at the end, the Blades boss was the last man off the pitch, not before arguing with a few irate Wednesday fans first, though.
Wilder smiled: 'They had a welcome committee out for me pre-match but they love their club and I love mine.
'But some of my best pals are Wednesday fans and one lad I know came and gave me a big hug afterwards.'
Rohl, meanwhile, denied Wednesday’s play-off hopes are over, saying: 'We’re six points away with eight games to go.'