The Tigers today kick off their first campaign in the top flight when Fulham make the trip north to what is certain to be a passionate and raucous KC Stadium.

Hull are odds on with the bookmakers to last just one year in the Premier League following their promotion via the play-offs last May, a success that earned the club a cash windfall of more than £30m.

As reward for winning at Wembley, Phil Brown's squad collected a seven-figure sum in bonuses and chairman Paul Duffen has revealed that the potential payments to this season's squad will dwarf even that amount.

Ahead of today's opener, the Hull chairman told the Yorkshire Post: "The bonus scheme is something we agree with the players each summer and this season it is based on a plethora of things, ranging from points won to games won and league position. It is quite a complex thing.

"But it is safe to say that the players have the added incentive this season of the biggest bonus scheme in the club's history.

"Last season, our success in winning promotion saw the bonus payments run into seven figures. This season, if the players achieve their goals, it will again amount to seven figures but this time it will be significantly bigger. The players are, of course, already well remunerated, but the bonus scheme does represent an added incentive.

"I would say, though, that it is not money that will be motivating the players this season but the chance to create history for Hull City."

Excitement has been building throughout the East Riding this summer as Hull prepare to end a 104-year wait for top flight football.

Duffen, who took charge of the club last summer, admits to "feeling like a kid wating for Christmas Eve" ahead of today's opening game against a Fulham side that will be without record signing Andy Johnson due to injury.

Hull's chairman added: "Playing Fulham is something of a double-edged sword because if we win then the expectation levels in the city will soar, while if we lose the critics will say it was to be expected.

"It is why I hope no matter what the result is, all Hull City supporters remain level-headed. We must not kid ourselves about how hard every game is going to be – we are, after all, competing in the best league in the world."

It is not just the club that will be creating history today with captain Ian Ashbee set to become the first man to lead a team out in all four divisions of English football. The 31-year-old joined the Tigers in the summer of 2002 from Cambridge United and has since led the side to three promotions.

Ashbee said: "It will be a major feat and no one will ever be able to take it away from me. It will make me immensely proud.

"I certainly never thought something like this would be possible when I signed and we were still playing at Boothferry Park. But once the Fulham game gets going, it will be like any other game.

"We need to settle ourselves down as quickly as possible and try to get the three points.

"Every year we have gone up since I came to the club, our home form has been very important. We need to keep that going and make the KC a fortress again."

Asked what emotions he will be experiencing at five to three this afternoon, the Birmingham-born midfielder said: "I will probably be sat on the toilet. No, seriously, this is what we have all been looking forward to. The atmosphere is going to be special. Everyone has written us off but that is an incentive – we want to prove people wrong.

"Having criticism makes you stronger, or it should do if you are a man. So we will deal with that and move on.

"There have been tough times here before and there will be tough times this season, but we are looking forward to it."