Hull City have won automatic promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club's history today.
So, is this the Tigers' greatest achievement?
Was the 2008 play-off win at Wembley - City's first promotion to the Premier League - better, or staying up the following year?
Or is the Great Escape still the season you'll never forget?
We've put together a poll of five of the best seasons in living memory. Vote for your favourite at the bottom of this article.
And read below about the nine other days in City folklore when previous promotions were sealed.1932-33: Promotion out of Division Three North as championsMay 1, 1933 – Hull City 2 York City 1
Almost 29 years after City's formation on June 28, 1904, the club was finally able to toast its first promotion in style. Under manager Haydn Green, the Tigers were attempting to climb back into Division Two following relegation in 1929-30 and found themselves battling Wrexham, Stockport and Chester at the summit of the regional third tier. There was little to split the four teams but City were handed their chance for a historic promotion when hosting York City at their Anlaby Road home. The Tigers needed a hero and that man was forward Bill McNaughton. Having already plundered 37 goals in a landmark season, McNaughton's brace against York sealed a return to Division Two with a game to spare. He would finish the season with an astonishing 41 goals, a club record that still stands today. Not even a final day defeat at Rochdale would deny the Tigers getting their hands on the Division Three North title five days later in a season that saw exactly 100 league goals scored.
1948-49: Promotion out of Division Three North as championsApril 30, 1949 – Hull City 6 Stockport 1 If there is a certain style about Steve Bruce's modern-day side, it would struggle to emulate the swagger shown by the class of 1948-49. After relegation back to the third tier in 1935-36 and the Second World War, City needed a lift to justify their long-awaited move to Boothferry Park in 1946. The arrival of former England international Raich Carter in January 1948 was the catalyst for exactly that. The decorated player-manager instantly became the darling of Boothferry Park and his first season with the club would be very special. Unbeaten for the opening 11 games of the season, City were locked in a tussle with Rotherham United at the top of Division Three North. Having edged ahead of the Millers, the stage was set for Carter's men to clinch promotion at home to Stockport County. A crowd of 38,192 flocked to Boothferry Park and they would not be disappointed. A hat-trick from Norman Moore, a Carter brace and one from Vigo Jensen put the icing on the promotion cake with two games to spare. The good times were well and truly back.
1958-59: Promotion out of Division Three as runners-upApril 25, 1959 – Hull City 2 Bury 0 Given the golden eras that sandwiched promotion in 1958-59, it is not a season that's regarded with the same fondness. However, to dismiss the achievements of Bob Brocklebank's side would be folly. Having missed out on promotion 12 months earlier, the Tigers began the campaign in a state of turmoil. As well as winning just one of the opening seven games, leading light Bill Bradbury had typified the unrest evident at the time by handing in a transfer request. The simmering turmoil failed to affect Brocklebank, though, as he inspired a rapid climb up the division. Thanks largely to the goals of Bradbury and Colin Smith, the Tigers had the chance to clinch a once unlikely promotion in their final home game against Bury. A crowd of 16,447 were present to witness City's third ever promotion, thanks to goals from Bradbury and Brian Bulless. There was still a chance to claim the Division Three title but a 5-1 thumping on the final day at Wrexham meant Plymouth pipped City by a point. It proved to be a false dawn, however, as they were relegated 12 months later.
1965-66: Promotion out of Division Three as championsMay 6, 1966 – Bristol Rovers 1 Hull City 2 For supporters of a certain vintage, this will always be their number one year. In the first full season of the famed Ken Wagstaff and Chris Chilton partnership, the Tigers galloped to what remains as the club's only non-regional title under Cliff Britton. Winning 19 of their 23 home games, City were nigh-on invincible at Boothferry Park and arguably English football's great entertainers. Including goals from an FA Cup run to the quarter-finals against Chelsea, City bagged 129 goals in all competitions. Promotion was inevitable. A magnificent run through the opening months of 1966 led City to a landmark date with three games remaining. Bristol Rovers were conquered at the Eastville Stadium typically thanks to goals from the deadly duo Chilton and Wagstaff. There was still the title to be won and that moment came a fortnight later. The final day of the season saw a 1-0 win over Southend at Boothferry Park, as the Tigers edged out Millwall for top spot. The summer of 1966 then brought reasons for celebrations all around the country with England's World Cup win.
1982-83: Promotion out of Division Four as runners-upApril 30, 1983 – Chester City 0 Hull City 0 Just 14 months after the future of Hull City had been called into question following a plummet into receivership, a phoenix was found rising from the ashes at Boothferry Park in the spring of 1983. Taken over by the flamboyant owner Don Robinson and led by the astute Colin Appleton, City fought back from the adversity that had threatened their existence when following Wimbledon, who at the time were beginning their rise to the top flight, in escaping the third tier. Only six defeats were suffered all season in a side that included youngsters Brian Marwood, Garreth Roberts and Steve McClaren and their big moment came at Chester City's old Sealand Road home on the final day of April. In front of just 2,450 fans, City ground out a 0-0 draw to confirm their return to Division Three. It might have lacked the panache of the club's previous promotion 17 years earlier but it did succeed in restoring pride back to the Tigers.
1984-85: Promotion out of Division Three in thirdMay 4, 1985 – Walsall 0 Hull City 1 Seven years after suffering relegation from the second tier, City announced themselves as a rising force in English football with a second promotion in just three years. It had almost been back-to-back promotions when missing out to Sheffield United on goal difference 12 months earlier, but reinvigorated under new player-manager Brian Horton there was no stopping City in 1984-85. Inspired by 20-goal striker and cult hero Billy Whitehurst, City were never far off the promotion places once a stuttering start had subsided. After finishing April with four consecutive wins, attention turned to a trip to Walsall in the third to last game of the season. Hull-born crowd-favourite Pete Skipper was a fitting match-winner in front of 4,809 at Fellows Park, as the Tigers joined Bradford and Millwall in escaping Division Three. Back-to-back defeats against York City and Brentford saw any hopes of the title disappear, but the Tigers were on a steep upward curve.
2003-04: Promotion out of Division Three as runners-upMay 1, 2004 – Yeovil Town 1 Hull City 2 If the first step towards the big time is the hardest then a long-awaited promotion out of the basement division nine years ago must stand as one of the most pivotal campaigns in City's 109-year history. After leaving behind Boothferry Park and all the financial misery that had blighted the club for a decade, Adam Pearson had turned to Peter Taylor to inspire the start of an East Yorkshire revolution. A sparkling new all-seater home at the KC Stadium demanded success and Taylor let nobody down. In his first full season as City boss came the club's first promotion in 19 years. And it meant the world to City's long-suffering supporters. The moment arrived at Huish Park, the modest home of Yeovil Town. After Stuart Green's penalty had been cancelled out by the home side, Ian Ashbee settled the contest with a wonderful curling winner 14 minutes from time. It was the cue for wild celebrations amongst the 1,700 travelling fans and a return to a third tier, now known as League One. A fitting party followed a 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers eight days later.
2004-05: Promotion out of League One as runners-upApril 16, 2005 – Hull City 0 Swindon 0 A new first was achieved in City's colourful history as Peter Taylor's men managed what the boys of 1984 had narrowly missed out on by securing back-to-back promotions. Showing no fear on their return to the third tier and boosted by the heralded homecoming of ex-England star Nick Barmby, the Tigers showed enough quality to join Luton Town in pulling clear at the summit of the division by springtime. The day promotion was sealed (the earliest such date in the club's history) came with another three games to spare. But, as Steve Bruce admitted last week, it is in the Tigers' DNA to do things the hard way. Despite Craig Fagan's late penalty miss denying City the win they needed for promotion, Tranmere's failure to beat Blackpool ensured the party could begin in front of 23,125 fans at a joyous KC Stadium. It was the first time since 1959 that promotion had actually been rubber-stamped inside East Yorkshire and the Tigers were roaring back into English football's second tier.
2007-08: Promotion out of the Championship as play-off final winnersMay 24, 2008 – Hull City 1 Bristol City 0 The moment. The one and only. After 104 years of waiting for top-flight football, time was called with a legendary swing of Dean Windass' right foot at Wembley. Connecting with Fraizer Campbell's deep cross from the left flank, the Hull-born veteran dispatched the sweetest of volleys to conquer Bristol City in the Championship play-off final. Few images captured in time will ever evoke the same outpouring of emotion as Windass' famous volley past Robins' keeper Adriano Basso, but it was the pinnacle of a resurgent season under Phil Brown. Despite beginning the season installed as also-rans, a breathless run through March and into April took the Tigers closer than ever before to the Premier League. Although Stoke City would claim second spot behind West Brom on the final day of the season, City held their nerve to beat Watford over two legs in the play-off semi-final. Then came Wembley, Windass and the weakening of 40,000 pairs of knees. After over a century of waiting, the time had come for City to snatch their invitation to join English football's elite.More on Hull City's promotion
1948-49: Promotion out of Division Three North as championsApril 30, 1949 – Hull City 6 Stockport 1 If there is a certain style about Steve Bruce's modern-day side, it would struggle to emulate the swagger shown by the class of 1948-49. After relegation back to the third tier in 1935-36 and the Second World War, City needed a lift to justify their long-awaited move to Boothferry Park in 1946. The arrival of former England international Raich Carter in January 1948 was the catalyst for exactly that. The decorated player-manager instantly became the darling of Boothferry Park and his first season with the club would be very special. Unbeaten for the opening 11 games of the season, City were locked in a tussle with Rotherham United at the top of Division Three North. Having edged ahead of the Millers, the stage was set for Carter's men to clinch promotion at home to Stockport County. A crowd of 38,192 flocked to Boothferry Park and they would not be disappointed. A hat-trick from Norman Moore, a Carter brace and one from Vigo Jensen put the icing on the promotion cake with two games to spare. The good times were well and truly back.
1958-59: Promotion out of Division Three as runners-upApril 25, 1959 – Hull City 2 Bury 0 Given the golden eras that sandwiched promotion in 1958-59, it is not a season that's regarded with the same fondness. However, to dismiss the achievements of Bob Brocklebank's side would be folly. Having missed out on promotion 12 months earlier, the Tigers began the campaign in a state of turmoil. As well as winning just one of the opening seven games, leading light Bill Bradbury had typified the unrest evident at the time by handing in a transfer request. The simmering turmoil failed to affect Brocklebank, though, as he inspired a rapid climb up the division. Thanks largely to the goals of Bradbury and Colin Smith, the Tigers had the chance to clinch a once unlikely promotion in their final home game against Bury. A crowd of 16,447 were present to witness City's third ever promotion, thanks to goals from Bradbury and Brian Bulless. There was still a chance to claim the Division Three title but a 5-1 thumping on the final day at Wrexham meant Plymouth pipped City by a point. It proved to be a false dawn, however, as they were relegated 12 months later.
1965-66: Promotion out of Division Three as championsMay 6, 1966 – Bristol Rovers 1 Hull City 2 For supporters of a certain vintage, this will always be their number one year. In the first full season of the famed Ken Wagstaff and Chris Chilton partnership, the Tigers galloped to what remains as the club's only non-regional title under Cliff Britton. Winning 19 of their 23 home games, City were nigh-on invincible at Boothferry Park and arguably English football's great entertainers. Including goals from an FA Cup run to the quarter-finals against Chelsea, City bagged 129 goals in all competitions. Promotion was inevitable. A magnificent run through the opening months of 1966 led City to a landmark date with three games remaining. Bristol Rovers were conquered at the Eastville Stadium typically thanks to goals from the deadly duo Chilton and Wagstaff. There was still the title to be won and that moment came a fortnight later. The final day of the season saw a 1-0 win over Southend at Boothferry Park, as the Tigers edged out Millwall for top spot. The summer of 1966 then brought reasons for celebrations all around the country with England's World Cup win.
1982-83: Promotion out of Division Four as runners-upApril 30, 1983 – Chester City 0 Hull City 0 Just 14 months after the future of Hull City had been called into question following a plummet into receivership, a phoenix was found rising from the ashes at Boothferry Park in the spring of 1983. Taken over by the flamboyant owner Don Robinson and led by the astute Colin Appleton, City fought back from the adversity that had threatened their existence when following Wimbledon, who at the time were beginning their rise to the top flight, in escaping the third tier. Only six defeats were suffered all season in a side that included youngsters Brian Marwood, Garreth Roberts and Steve McClaren and their big moment came at Chester City's old Sealand Road home on the final day of April. In front of just 2,450 fans, City ground out a 0-0 draw to confirm their return to Division Three. It might have lacked the panache of the club's previous promotion 17 years earlier but it did succeed in restoring pride back to the Tigers.
1984-85: Promotion out of Division Three in thirdMay 4, 1985 – Walsall 0 Hull City 1 Seven years after suffering relegation from the second tier, City announced themselves as a rising force in English football with a second promotion in just three years. It had almost been back-to-back promotions when missing out to Sheffield United on goal difference 12 months earlier, but reinvigorated under new player-manager Brian Horton there was no stopping City in 1984-85. Inspired by 20-goal striker and cult hero Billy Whitehurst, City were never far off the promotion places once a stuttering start had subsided. After finishing April with four consecutive wins, attention turned to a trip to Walsall in the third to last game of the season. Hull-born crowd-favourite Pete Skipper was a fitting match-winner in front of 4,809 at Fellows Park, as the Tigers joined Bradford and Millwall in escaping Division Three. Back-to-back defeats against York City and Brentford saw any hopes of the title disappear, but the Tigers were on a steep upward curve.
2003-04: Promotion out of Division Three as runners-upMay 1, 2004 – Yeovil Town 1 Hull City 2 If the first step towards the big time is the hardest then a long-awaited promotion out of the basement division nine years ago must stand as one of the most pivotal campaigns in City's 109-year history. After leaving behind Boothferry Park and all the financial misery that had blighted the club for a decade, Adam Pearson had turned to Peter Taylor to inspire the start of an East Yorkshire revolution. A sparkling new all-seater home at the KC Stadium demanded success and Taylor let nobody down. In his first full season as City boss came the club's first promotion in 19 years. And it meant the world to City's long-suffering supporters. The moment arrived at Huish Park, the modest home of Yeovil Town. After Stuart Green's penalty had been cancelled out by the home side, Ian Ashbee settled the contest with a wonderful curling winner 14 minutes from time. It was the cue for wild celebrations amongst the 1,700 travelling fans and a return to a third tier, now known as League One. A fitting party followed a 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers eight days later.
2004-05: Promotion out of League One as runners-upApril 16, 2005 – Hull City 0 Swindon 0 A new first was achieved in City's colourful history as Peter Taylor's men managed what the boys of 1984 had narrowly missed out on by securing back-to-back promotions. Showing no fear on their return to the third tier and boosted by the heralded homecoming of ex-England star Nick Barmby, the Tigers showed enough quality to join Luton Town in pulling clear at the summit of the division by springtime. The day promotion was sealed (the earliest such date in the club's history) came with another three games to spare. But, as Steve Bruce admitted last week, it is in the Tigers' DNA to do things the hard way. Despite Craig Fagan's late penalty miss denying City the win they needed for promotion, Tranmere's failure to beat Blackpool ensured the party could begin in front of 23,125 fans at a joyous KC Stadium. It was the first time since 1959 that promotion had actually been rubber-stamped inside East Yorkshire and the Tigers were roaring back into English football's second tier.
2007-08: Promotion out of the Championship as play-off final winnersMay 24, 2008 – Hull City 1 Bristol City 0 The moment. The one and only. After 104 years of waiting for top-flight football, time was called with a legendary swing of Dean Windass' right foot at Wembley. Connecting with Fraizer Campbell's deep cross from the left flank, the Hull-born veteran dispatched the sweetest of volleys to conquer Bristol City in the Championship play-off final. Few images captured in time will ever evoke the same outpouring of emotion as Windass' famous volley past Robins' keeper Adriano Basso, but it was the pinnacle of a resurgent season under Phil Brown. Despite beginning the season installed as also-rans, a breathless run through March and into April took the Tigers closer than ever before to the Premier League. Although Stoke City would claim second spot behind West Brom on the final day of the season, City held their nerve to beat Watford over two legs in the play-off semi-final. Then came Wembley, Windass and the weakening of 40,000 pairs of knees. After over a century of waiting, the time had come for City to snatch their invitation to join English football's elite.More on Hull City's promotion
• The story of the game in 10 pictures
• Steve Bruce: Hull City deserve promotion
• Hull City 2 Cardiff City 2 - match report
• Fans celebrate as Hull City promoted to the Premier League
• Assem Allam thanks Hull City fans
• Relive the drama! Replay our live, interactive commentary
• Gallery: The story of Hull City's promotion season in pictures
• Seven matches that turned the season
