This final had been labelled a battle between two 'unfashionable' clubs, yet it proved a pulsating match with drama and full-blooded action seeing a sensational Middlesbrough start and a stirring Bolton fightback.
It is a triumph of the Middlesbrough manager Steve McLaren, his players, and above all chairman Steve Gibson.
Gibson, a local self-made millionaire, has bankrolled the manager to the tune of millions of pounds in bid to get his beloved Boro into Europe.
In the match programme Gibson who wrote: "Forget the financial reward, this club is about sporting glory. That is what people remember you for."
Gibson, along with 30,000 Middlesbrough fans, must have held their breath as Bolton staged a tremendous fightback.
Boro got off to a dream start with two goals in the opening seven minutes.
A move between Gaizka Mendieta and Boudewijn Zenden split open Bolton's defence and presented Joseph-Desire Job with an easy chance at the far post.
Middlesbrough then went further ahead with a disputed penalty.
Bolton protested bitterly when Job hit the deck but referee Mike Riley was on the spot and had no hesitation over the award.
Zenden actually slipped as he stepped up for the penalty, but the ball still found the back of the net.
It looked as if Middlesbrough were coasting it but Bolton got back into the game with a Kevin Davies goal after 21 minutes.
Davies was not really in a good position for the shot and there seemed to be no danger but Mark Schwarzer allowed the ball to slip from his grasp at the near post.
It was a blunder that could have haunted Schwarzer for the rest of his career if Middlesbrough had lost this game.
The goal gave Bolton tremendous encouragement and Boro were hanging on at the interval.
Bolton came out first for the second half and it looked as though Boro were going to be on the back foot for the next 45 minutes.
Wanderers piled on fierce pressure and you had to admire the courage of Sam Allardyce's players as they tried to pull the game round.
Middlesbrough, however, defended resolutely and had chances at the other end to relieve the tension among their fans.
All credit to Middlesbrough, who after being so close in previous years to winning a trophy but falling at the final hurdle, have finally lost the 'Bridesmaid' tag.
For the first time in over 30 years, a major trophy has gone to the North East and Middlesbrough are set to stage European football for the first time.