How Hull City finally made it to top flight

AS is often the case with games of such magnitude, the 2008 Championship play-off final was a cagey affair.

Chances were at a premium and there was very little between the two teams. Other, that is, than a volley that, from the moment it left Dean Windass’s boot, became a part of Hull’s sporting folklore.

Six minutes remained of the first half when Fraizer Campbell scampered clear down the left. On loan from Manchester United, the Huddersfield-born striker had played a big part in getting the Tigers to Wembley.

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No one, therefore, was surprised when Campbell chipped an inch-perfect cross into the path of Windass.

With the defence drawn inexorably towards the goal-line, the veteran – then 39 years old – had time to steady himself before unleashing an unstoppable right-foot shot that flew beyond the hand of Adriano Basso.

After that, it was all about waiting for the final whistle.

The final 10 minutes, in particular, were tough as Bristol City laid siege to the Hull goal. But a wonderful block by Wayne Brown to deny Lee Trundle and two openings wasted by Darren Byfield meant there was to be no late fightback.

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Referee Alan Wiley’s final blow of the whistle, therefore, meant that Hull City’s 104-year wait for top-flight football was at an end.

Hull City: Myhill; Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson; Garcia, Ashbee, Hughes, Barmby (Fagan 67); Windass (Folan 71), Campbell (Marney 90).

Bristol City: Basso; Orr (Johnson 46), Carey, Fontaine, McAllister; Carle, (Byfield 76), Noble (Sproule 63), Elliott, McIndoe; Adebola, Trundle.

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