For this was the day the unofficial kings of English heavy rock came to the home of English rugby – and left with all the spoils.

A generation since Maiden's maiden voyage this was the first UK stadium show from a band at their career peak, on a global trek which has taken their converted tour airliner (flown by Bruce, of course) to unchartered territories, both in terms of new nations and audience numbers.

"Looking at some of you at the front you weren't even born when we wrote some of these songs," said a clearly jubilant Bruce.

Restless, grinning, chirpy, the Worksop-born frontman for Maiden's "greatest gig" resembled a rock and roll Lee Evans. But this was never about one man – this day was about the power of UK rock and the endurance of brand Maiden in an era when 'the kids' have so many cooler alternatives.

It was about Run To The Hills and Number Of The Beast, songs about war and evil and mankind's frailties, and about Eddie, their tatty mascot very much part of this historic show in various guises fired by Maiden's many themes.

In some ways they are such an unlikely stadium band, pushing cherished often unfashionable anthems rather than fads – they still wear their own tour shirts, for heaven's sake – and humility as strong as their fans are loyal. But there lies part of their secret.

Eddie has been through some adventures, shifts and varying fortunes with his human keepers. Few will come bigger than this.