There have been few scenes at the Pirelli Stadium to match the celebrations that met Tom Naylor's injury-time winner against Gillingham on April 30 2016.

Naylor's close-range finish from Matt Palmer's corner nudged Burton Albion to within a single point of the Championship. They haven't fared too badly since that ball hit the net.

Leading those unforgettable celebrations was John Mousinho. The Brewers' captain could barely contain his jubilation, his face a picture of joy and relief as he raced away to dive on Naylor and then flung himself onto his back, punching the air like every supporter in the stands around him.

Those few seconds of emotion showed just how much it meant to the Albion skipper to see his club make history and reach the second tier of English football.

Burton Albion celebrate Tom Naylor's last-gasp winner in the crucial victory over Gillingham in 2015/16

It was the same sort of emotion displayed on Mousinho's face when hoisting the League Two trophy aloft alongside Ian Sharps in 2015, and 12 months later when his side's Championship status was secured at Doncaster Rovers.

Mousinho showed that same passion in his play.

It was why he fit so well at Burton. Tackles and blocks were made, runs were tracked in the 93rd minute. It was his reading of the game, too, that ensured Albion were such a tough nut to crack in Leagues Two and One, a reason behind their sensational 24 clean sheets in 2015/16.

The former Brentford man is a tidy footballer and can play from the back just as well, though, a trait derived from his days in central midfield before moving to the heart of defence, with the Brewers, under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

That decision was a masterstroke from the ex-Albion boss, as was giving him the armband, a responsibility on which Mousinho thrived.

Nottingham Forest winger Ben Osborn grapples with Burton Albion midfielder John Mousinho
Nottingham Forest winger Ben Osborn grapples with Burton Albion midfielder John Mousinho

Indeed, his quality as captain on the field at the Pirelli was matched off the pitch, where he made a superb ambassador for the club, whether signing autographs for fans, speaking with the media - where he always provided fine insight and was a warm character to talk to - or having photographs with a sponsor.

It is why Nigel Clough recognises that Burton have not only seen a good defender leave the Pirelli Stadium for League One's Oxford United, but a good person too.

"You don't like losing good people out of your club and out of your dressing room - and we've done that," said the Brewers boss following Mousinho's deadline-day move to the Kassam Stadium.

"But to be fair to him, it was the best thing. We will miss him, we will miss him around the place.

"He was as good a captain as you could wish to have.

Burton Albion captain John Mousinho
Burton Albion captain John Mousinho

"But when you see him and you can't get him in the team, he's on the bench and, like a lot of lads, he's disappointed, he is too good for that."

The signing of John Brayford on deadline day meant the centre-back position had become one of the most fiercely competitive spots in the side, with Jake Buxton and Stephen Warnock also signing to join the likes of Kyle McFadzean, Ben Turner, Tom Naylor, Tom Flanagan and Mousinho.

It explains why Mousinho – who made 32 appearances last term - was moved out to right-back for parts of pre-season this summer.

With a place at centre-half likely to be at such a premium this term, Clough says he gave the captain the option of looking elsewhere if other opportunities were available to him.

Not that it was an easy decision for either party, according to the Burton boss.

"It was very difficult for both sides, I think,” he added.

"We have the squad in place where we've got seven defenders now that we're happy with, and John would've been eight.

"I had a quick chat with him after the Sheffield Wednesday game and we left it basically with him and said, 'if there's an opportunity out there for you where you can go and get yourself a longer contract as well and more regular football, and it suits you' - he's got a baby on the way, so if it suits him with his family life and everything.

John Mousinho in action for Burton Albion against Newcastle United
John Mousinho in action for Burton Albion against Newcastle United

"To be fair to him, that was the best way to go about it.

"He had a few days to think about - it wasn't a 24 hours, 'you've got to make your mind up'."

Mousinho's departure has inevitably brought out many heartfelt thanks from Brewers supporters who have seen the former Preston North End man captain their side during its most successful period.

The move to Oxford will, as Clough and the man himself have both suggested, likely see Mousinho gain more regular first-team football and a chance to help another side push for promotion from the third tier.

He will certainly boost the U's chances, such is the quality he will offer them. It is a challenge he will inevitably relish.

And it is likely his involvement in football will go way past this move, as well.

Mousinho is studying for his UEFA A Licence and has spoken at length about a desire to go into management later in his career, having spent time working with Albion’s youth teams.

There can be no doubt that Mousinho in the dugout would show the same passion and commitment as he did for every minute in a Burton Albion shirt.

How the Brewers benefited from those qualities.