Hull City v FK AS Trencin: Rosenior determined to put the Tigers on European map

But, as Hull City prepare to host FK AS Trencin tonight in their first tie on home soil, Liam Rosenior insists his former club Fulham should act as an inspiration to both players and supporters alike.

“Fulham got all the way to the final of the Europa League,” said the 30-year-old full-back, when casting his mind back to the 2009-10 season when the Cottagers spent 10 thrilling months doing battle with some of the continent’s biggest names.

“And if Fulham can do it then why not Hull City? Hull are a bigger club than Fulham, no disrespect to them. Fulham are one of seven or eight clubs in London, this is a one football club city and for a long time this club, looking from the outside, has been under-achieving. But not any more.

“I remember Fulham’s run to the final. I’d left a couple of years earlier but still had friends at the club. I was texting them, some of the staff, and saying ‘well done’ for getting to the final.

“The one thing that they spoke to me about was how it lifted the whole football club. It put the club on the map, not just in this country but Europe as well.

“I think Hull, not just as a football club but as a city, is sometimes overlooked. Geographically, we are pretty much out of the way. So, competitions like this are great for raising the profile of both the club and the city. It is something I am aware of and the other players are aware of it, too.”

A run to the latter stages, when eight Champions League teams drop into UEFA’s secondary competition, would, indeed, raise City’s profile massively.

For now, though, the priority is negotiating both tonight’s second leg against FK AS Trencin and then the two-legged play-off qualifying round to book a place in the group stage.

It is a path well worn by English clubs, with Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur both making it successfully through the qualifiers a year ago.

Newcastle United and Liverpool did the same in 2012, while we have to go back four years to find the last English team – Aston Villa, who lost 4-3 on aggregate to Rapid Vienna – not to make it.

The Tigers are desperate to avoid the same fate as Villa, even if it means that a place in the group stage means they will have played 10 extra games by the turn of the year.

“Not getting through (to the group stage) would have to be seen as a failure,” said Rosenior. “I am not afraid to put pressure on ourselves, we should be expecting to get through and, hopefully, we will do that.”

Asked if he felt some English clubs in the past had used the Europa League as an excuse for failings on the domestic front, the full-back replied: “I think it has by some clubs, yes.

“But if you look at the teams that have embraced this competition – the likes of Birmingham City and Fulham – then it can actually add to your season.

“I remember Birmingham having about 15 players (in 2012-13, when the Blues reached the group stage) but they appreciated playing in the Europa League and they nearly got through to the knockout stage.

“They then pushed on to nearly get into the Premier League. Fulham had probably the best season in their Premier League history the year they got to the final, too.

“So if you embrace it, especially as a smaller club – which is something I think we are doing here – I think it can actually add to your season and make it a more successful one.”

City fans are certainly buying into the prospect of watching their team in European competition. Last week, around 600 fans made the often difficult trip to north Slovakia, while tonight’s return will be watched by a 22,000 sell-out crowd at the KC Stadium with the only empty seats being in the stand reserved for visiting supporters.

Rosenior added: “I think the game being sold out sums up everything about where this club has come from and how much this club means to the city.

“To be involved in a European tie – whether it is at this stage, the group stage, the semi-final or the final – it is massive for the people of this area and I am delighted to be part of it.

“At the same time, I am very motivated to make sure it continues for as long as possible. Last week in Slovakia was a new experience for a lot of us.

“But this will be a new experience for them, having to play in front of a full house at the KC Stadium.”