BEFORE this weekend the closest Corry Evans had come to the Premier League was at the KC Stadium almost four years ago.
As Hull City fought for their top-flight lives on a dramatic final day of the season, an 18-year-old Evans was a fascinated onlooker from the Manchester United bench sat behind Sir Alex Ferguson.
United claimed a 1-0 victory but, of course, sweet salvation was eventually City's after relegation rivals Newcastle timidly surrendered at Aston Villa.
Joyous news from Villa Park was the cue for pandemonium, celebrations and even Phil Brown's spontaneous outbreak of song. Only in the Premier League.
The dramatic afternoon of May 24, 2009 proved to be Evans' closest brush with what City manager Steve Bruce calls the "big league", and after two years of frustration the Ulsterman chose to fly the Old Trafford nest for the final time.
All grown up, Evans is ready for his big return.
Third-placed Watford's 2-1 win at Leicester last night leaves City in need of win at Barnsley this afternoon to begin a party not witnessed since that famous day at the KC Stadium four years ago. Evans can hardly wait.
"I was on the bench a couple of times with United and the first time was actually at Hull," he recalled.
"It was the game when Phil Brown was on the pitch afterwards singing which is something I remember well.
"With all the fans coming on to the pitch and having to run off ourselves, it was some way to get your first taste of the Premier League.
"Hopefully, we can now see those sorts of celebrations at the KC next week."
City's journey to the brink of a Premier League return has fully justified Evans' decision to leave Manchester United behind.
An initial loan spell under Nigel Pearson, one that first began in January 2010, was turned into a £500,000 switch to the KC Stadium five months later. Two seasons down the line and a first century of senior appearances is just three games away.
A calculated step backwards is about to be rewarded with a giant leap forwards.
"You try your best don't you but for whatever reason, sometimes you have to move on," said Evans, reflecting on his departure from Old Trafford.
"I'll always be grateful to United for helping me along and hopefully I could have the opportunity to play against them next year. I signed a three-year deal, so to be able to be looking at automatic promotion within two years is fantastic. Any young player needs to go out there and get experience if you're still playing reserves at 20.
"That was my choice. I was on loan initially but when a permanent deal became possible, I snatched their hand off.
"There was good vision and a good plan from the club to get back there. I felt this would be a good place to come and learn my football and thankfully that's been the case."
Should Evans and City celebrate in style at 5pm this evening, the first congratulations are expected to come from elder brother Jonny.
The Manchester United central defender was the reason Corry was brought to England as a 12-year-old in 2003 and an obvious role model in his footballing development.
On Monday night the senior sibling was celebrating a third Premier League medal as United brushed aside Aston Villa at Old Trafford, and City's midfielder now wants to cap a perfect week in the Evans household with a victory at Oakwell.
"It would brilliant to celebrate together and a great reward for the family after all the hard work they've put in with myself and my brother," he said.
"They moved over from Belfast to Manchester 10 years ago to give us the best chances and we haven't looked back since. I contacted Jonny the day after the game against Aston Villa and gave him a little text to say well done.
"It was the next day when I spoke with him and he sounded rough. I think they hit the town afterwards!"
With common pressures shared this week, there was also words of advice from one to another.
"He's just said to make sure we get there," added Evans.
"He's been through it before when he went up with Sunderland when Roy Keane was in charge. He knows what it takes and he just said to make sure you focus on yourself."
That was an onerous task as Watford, City's only remaining challengers for second spot, took centre stage last night.
Evans and his team-mates watched the action from the King Power Stadium from the club's hotel ahead of the trip to Barnsley. Only now, following the Watford's 2-1 win, has City's challenge become crystal clear.
"It's massive for myself, the club and the city of Hull," explained Evans.
"To be playing in the Premier League next year would be amazing. For me it would be huge. It's what every kid dreams of. If you want to be a footballer when you're growing up, you want to be in the Premier.
"I'm no different and I want to test myself against the best players in the world. It would be unbelievable to get there."
As Evans has noted in the last fortnight, City have opted against doing it the easy way. A two-game suspension followed his 10th yellow card of the season at Ipswich and ensured he was tormented from the sidelines as City lost 1-0 at Wolves and then held to a 0-0 draw by Bristol City.
Bruce has assured Evans of a timely recall at Barnsley today, much to the midfielder's relief.
"I don't know how the manager does it on the sidelines, watching is completely different when there's so much pressure on," he said.
"You'd rather play because you're pretty helpless when you're watching. If it's in your hands, like it is for us, it's a lot easier on the mind."
More on Hull City's big day• Team news for Barnsley v Hull City at Oakwell
• Just one more win: Bruce confident Hull City will deliver at Barnsley
• Hull City promotion would be Bruce's crowning glory after proving quality
• Ian Ashbee: Hull City must be patient at Barnsley
• Hull City will be rewarded with £120m windfall in Premier League
