EHAB Allam admits restoring Hull City to the Premier League is the only short-term way to relieve the financial burden shouldered by the club's owners.
The Allam family will celebrate their second anniversary at the Tigers' helm this weekend after saving the club from the threat of liquidation when seizing control from Russell Bartlett back in 2010.
A total investment in excess of £60m has since transformed City from a financial basket case into a genuine promotion contender in the Championship, but Allam accepts their supporting role has grown increasingly difficult in a testing economic climate.
The Tigers' current standing of fourth, three points adrift of the Championship's automatic promotion places, has raised hopes of a return to the top flight this season and Allam says on-field success could finally ease their commitments.
Asked about the significance of promotion to the club, Allam said: "It would mean a few things and the most obvious would be to reduce the financial burden that's been placed on the family.
"Getting in the Premier League would help the club to become self-sufficient. At present, the club is not able to stand on its own two feet and relies on our support.
"The investment we have made in the last two years has far exceeded all our expectations.
"The investment from ourselves this season will be north of £15m and that takes our total investment to over £60m.
"Our commitment is the same but in a difficult economic climate, it has been a difficult year to support to club to this level. But at the same time it would be fantastic for the city to have the football club back in the Premier League. It's what everyone is striving for."
Despite the Allam family's wealth standing at a reported £417m, the Tigers' dependency on its owners cannot continue.
Financial Fair Play regulations, voted in by Championship clubs in April, will impose strict limits on the losses incurred by its members from December 2014, meaning this season marks the final opportunity for the Allams to bankroll a promotion.
The Mail understands City's wage bill currently stands at around the £18m mark but that would have to be slashed dramatically to comply with new regulations.
Long-term sustainability is ultimately dependent on the club's ability to increase its own profit margins and a focus will be placed on addressing falling crowds at the KC.
After averaging 18,790 in 2011-12, City's crowds have fallen to 15,683.
An eight-year low of 14,756 was attracted to the 4-1 win over Millwall in September but City's average should be boosted by bumper crowds at the festive home games against Leicester City and Leeds United.
A 16 percent fall in gates has coincided with a marked price rise on season tickets this term but Allam hopes lost supporters can be attracted back for a promotion push.
"When we first bought the club we were averaging over 20,000 and now it's down to 14 or 15,000," he added.
"Of course that's disappointing but we appreciate it's a difficult financial climate in this region, especially with the employment issues we have in Hull. In that sense it's not surprising to see attendances fall.
"I understand a few supporters perhaps grew disillusioned in the summer as well.
"It was a difficult decision that we had to make to replace Nick Barmby, but I would hope supporters can see that it has been a good decision.
"It would be great to see some of those supporters come back on board and enjoy the rest of the season."
