Hull's top flight delight

Join the Sky Sports debate on The Tigers' promotion

Last updated: 24th May 2008

Hull celebration Championship play-off final

Hull City: Premier League-bound

Hull City reached England's top tier for the first time in their 104-year history after a 1-0 Championship play-off final success over Bristol City.

Tigers manager Phil Brown has already spoken of his hope that he will receive financial backing from chairman Paul Duffen over the summer. Does Brown's squad need significantly strengthening? If so, in what positions?

Which of the current squad members will shine in the Premier League, and who will be shown the door as Brown plots for life against the likes of the 'big four'?

Are Hull City set to be next season's Derby County or can they retain their status under the guidance of Brown?

And what of Bristol City, can they pick themselves up for next term after the heartache of defeat? Will they be in the running to gain promotion again next campaign?

Join the Sky Sports debate using the form below.

Comments

Neil Tattersall (Hull City fan) says...

Thank you all for your support! i can see from the comments we are already relegated this seems a litle rich coming from some disdruntled geordie and a makem oh dont forget the supporter whose team lost to a vastly superior DONCASTER side.We will find it very difficult to stay up,i believe we have the management structure in place to survive. We have a good fan base excellent stadium and we have waited a long time for the chance. Best of luck to every team we shall enjoy the season come what may

Posted 06:30 27th May 2008

Geoff Harris (Hull City fan) says...

Hull have as much chance of staying up in the Premiership as all of the other teams in the lower 12 places in the division - and a better chance by far than some of their competitors. Hull are very fortunate. They have premiership quality ground and training facilities, there is a spine of first class players and there is no debt or loan problem - financially they are very sound and, given the cash bonus provided by the TV etc. rights they will be in a position to strengthen the team wherever necessary. Add to that an absolutely dedicated, experienced and very skilled management team and owning consortium and there is the basis for success. Premiership snobs and or premiership fantasist's should write of Hull City only in their minds - It would not be wise to back this teams immediate future failure at the bookmakers!!

Posted 01:06 27th May 2008

Hull Kogan (Hull City fan) says...

What amazes me is that City ahve managed all this with predominantly only 2 centre backs in the whole squad. Next season we are goning to need at leats two more centre backs, some cover for the full backs, a couple of wingers to allow us to put Hughes in the middle witht he likes of Marney and Ashbee. I reckon were maybe needing another forward, as well as trying to keep Campbell. We need pace out wide. And as David Sheepshanks said at the weekend, we need to be careful not to bring in too much of a big name player to upset the balance in the current crop of players. Glad I aren't in Phil Brown's shoes but I really hope we spend and spend wisely. Up the Tigers!!!!

Posted 23:24 26th May 2008

Andy Lunn says...

Well done my home town club, fantastic achievement, enjoy this great moment. It's hard getting to the top flight but it's even harder though to stay up. Look at teams like Birmingham City, West Brom, Derby, Palace, Wolves and others who have come up and gone straight back down. All of these are bigger clubs than Tigers and for Hull City the hard work is only just begun. I wish you all the very best of luck except of course when you play Villa. Been a Villa fan almost 30 years so I wont be changing my allegiance for anything. As an onlooker, I have seen a major leap in the support for Hull City but I just hope these bandwagon jumpers stay with City when times are not so great, but my guess is that alot will revert back to the teams they supported before Tigers successes. Sad but true. For those who are the loyal ones who remember the dark days of winding up orders, being locked out of Boothferry Park and gates of 3000, this promotion and the realisation of their greatest dream has come true and it is to them I say whole hearted congratulations on your team's success. The chance for you to see some of the greatest players in the world plying their trade at KC Stadium, having the elite clubs come to Hull and not as a friendly game but competitive games week in and out. Travelling to the grounds like The Emirates, Old Trafford, Anfield, St James Park and of course Villa Park instead of smaller grounds will be a new and exciting experience for you and a reward for your years of waiting. Welcome to the big time fellow hullensians.

Posted 19:14 26th May 2008

Kieran Rogers (portsmouth fan) says...

Congratulations to Hull City, you deserve all the plaudits for making it to the premier league - with the addition of a world class goal to send you there. I have always liked Phil Brown, ever since he was an assistant coach at Bolton and i managed to catch his post-match interviews, top manager. As for the pessimistic comparisons with Derby, it is far too early to be judgemental. Of course it will be tough but i feel both Hull and Stoke could easily surprise a few people next season - just take Sunderland as a model. We're talking about Hull City, who are a totally different team, area and have different players to Derby - so any comparisons are insignificant. Players like Garcia could be key - and keeping Campbell may be influential on their season, but Hull do seem like a team heading in the right direction - with their new stadium and now this acheievent etc. Good luck next season and PLAY UP POMPEY.

Posted 18:45 26th May 2008

Matthew Peacock (Chelsea fan) says...

Why do people think Hull will go down. I think Stoke, Fulham and Bolton will be relegated. Typical of people to think they will go down. COME ON YOU BLUES

Posted 18:42 26th May 2008

Adam Chatburn (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Well done Hull, fantastic acheivement but the hard work starts here. Never forget this feeling of hope and possibility but always remain loyal to the guys that got you up. Whatever happens in the Premiership just remember you did it! And grimsby didn't.

Posted 18:41 26th May 2008

Tom Paul (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done to hull, good luck to the team and credit to Phill Brown but also credit should go to Peter Taylor who built the basis of that team and got them into a strong positon, good luck to all promoted teams cant wait 4 august!!!!!!

Posted 17:19 26th May 2008

Dennis Robertson (Bristol Rovers fan) says...

I am absolutely delighted that Hull City made it to the promised land and not Bristol City. Gary Johnson's men did not deserve to make the Prem. They would have had a negative goal difference if they didn't beat a PNE side already dreaming of the beach. City scored less goals than relegated Colchester and were so incredibly lucky. Week after week they scraped results. Darius Henderson missed a penalty to give watford 3 points at Ashton gate, then they scored a last minute goal that never should have been allowed to beat Norwich..the list goes on. They'll get relegated next season - after Johnson goes to a struggling Prem club in November. By the way, Rovers went to Wembley - and WON.

Posted 15:40 26th May 2008

Danny Taggart says...

Who cares if Hull go back down? Derby were credited with having one of the best home crowds in the premiership, they kept singing til the last game of the season. Thats what the people of Hull will do. We might go back down end of next season, it might be on lower points than derby this season, but we're here, on merit and theres nothing anyone can do to take that away. CMON TIGERS!

Posted 11:54 26th May 2008

Chris Dickinson says...

I find it highly amusing that the majority of negative comments Hull City are recieving are from supporters of the likes of Leeds United, Derby and Co. The fact is, Hull Ciy AFC are the biggest and best football club in Yorkshire, and we have what it takes to become an established club in the top flight. We've missed out for 104 years and I promise you we'll be making up for lost time! The KC Stadium will be a fortress next season and we will be suprising a fair amount of teams that is for sure. I shall also be wishing Leeds United the best (worst) of luck as they battle to gain promotion to the Mickey Mouse Cherry Coke Championship! HA HA! ;)

Posted 11:40 26th May 2008

James Hoyle (Hull City fan) says...

I was at Wembley on Saturday and it was such a special day for us. We deserve promotion. The fact that we've achieved it on a modest budget makes it all the more remarkable. Of course we have to improve the squad. But absolutely no one predicted a year ago that we'd be where we are now. Don't judge us yet. Just a word about the Bristol fans: what a great bunch of lads! They took defeat really well and there was lots of freindly banter over a beer or three after the match.

Posted 11:20 26th May 2008

John Johnson (Hull City fan) says...

Don't think for one minute that the people who got us to the Premiership are under any illusion on whats required to keep us there. Don't under estimate thier expertise, commitment and resources. The past is for resinence not for residence and those who use it as a tool to determine the future may be in for a surprise. The greatest battles are won by using intelligence and those arrogant enough to predict our relegation next season have not even scratched the surface in understanding what Hull City could be capable of. Whatever happens it will be a fantastic journey.

Posted 08:59 26th May 2008

Paul West (Hull City fan) says...

"Better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all". Of course we will enjoy our season in the premiership, whatever the outcome. Our advantage over Derby's position, is our lack of debt. If we retain the spirit of the team and add some more quality, we will have a good chance of retaining Premiership status. I might not need my passport just yet for Europe though! Go on you Tigers!

Posted 08:53 26th May 2008

Mark Blenkinsop (Hull City fan) says...

Every one expected Hull to be relegated this season, but hey look what happened!! Do not write the tigers off in the prem we will not be the next Derby, i expect us to finish 17th at the least and with the backing we have, we should do it!! Hull deserve everything, after all we are the true sleeping giant of english football!! COME ON YOU 'ULL!!!

Posted 04:57 26th May 2008

Michael Hogan (Hull City fan) says...

Wow! What a season! We've deserved this because of our frequently superb performances throughout. I was there at Wembley yesterday, and it was just our day from the start. Our fans completely embarressed the Bristol fans with our volume, we had that bit of luck all match and of course Deano scored the decisive screamer! Four Hull players to look out for next season, Michael Turner (player of the season), Boaz Myhill (Welsh number 1 and should really be England number 1), Sam Ricketts (best full back in the Championship) & Fraizer Campbell (if he's still here). I am also a little bit of a fan of Man Utd, and so that's been great aswell, with them being English and European champions and all. And to top it all off, the "mighty" Leeds got beat and embarressed on the same turf we played on within 24 hours, by Doncaster! Enjoy next year against Cheltenham and Hereford (and hopefully Rochale)! Oh, what a season!

Posted 22:39 25th May 2008

Lee Dtr (Hull City fan) says...

Congratulations to Hull City, what fantastic achievement for our little club A massive thank you to Adam Pearson, the man who started us on our way to the Premiership, rescuing us from the oblivion that is non league football. Three promotions in five years - not too bad. We can only hope we dont become a yoyo club like Sunderland and West Brom. Sure, new signings will have to be made or the headline writers can start using the same old cliched headlines "Toothless Tigers", "Paper Tigers" etc etc but with the lure of top flight football we might be able to persuade one or two players to come. Who knows, in two years time we could be winning the Champions League!!! Come on you 'ull.

Posted 22:05 25th May 2008

Katie M (Hull City fan) says...

Hull City are scrappers and won't go down without a fight. And what makes people think there won't be ¿50million to spend on the squad? Typical that Derby fans can only feel good about their team by thinking, wrongly, that there is a weaker team on its way to the Prem....let's see what you're saying this time next year.

Posted 08:45 25th May 2008

Gareth Jordan (Manchester United fan) says...

Well, well, well! Hull and Stoke in the Premier League? Who would have ever predicted that?! Best of luck to both teams. To think that a few seasons ago, they were being visited by the likes of Scarborough, Barnet and Mansfield (no disrespect). Now they can look forward to visits from the creme de la creme of European giants (yes, I am plugging United here!!). I sincerely hope all three promoted teams give a good account of themselves. Either way, the fans will be relishing the prospect of top flight football. Bring on August!

Posted 21:35 24th May 2008

Jason Lee says...

well done to phil brown and paul duffen. buy wisely in the coming months, i hope you enjoy your first time in the premiership. please don't come straight back down though. everyone in hull will be there for the team next season. GOOD LUCK TO ALL TIGERS.....

Posted 21:13 24th May 2008

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