THE KC Stadium will see its 10th anniversary celebrated in the coming days with Hull City fixing their gaze firmly on the Premier League.
For manager Steve Bruce, though, it will be the passing of another looming landmark in the Tigers' history that warrants most recognition.
This Sunday will mark exactly two years since Assem and Ehab Allam signed off a takeover deal to drag City back from the financial abyss and even as Bruce's men chase a golden top-flight ticket, recollections of December 2010 are enough to send a shiver down the spine.
A stomach-churning winding-up order had been issued by the Inland Revenue in the final weeks of Russell Bartlett's reign and, to quote former head of football operations Adam Pearson, City were "literally bust."
Armageddon was ominously predicted and only averted at the 11th hour when the Allams firmed up their widely-reported interest with an initial investment of £19.1m.
A sum in excess of £40m has followed since the Tigers' bleakest of winters and leaves City unrecognisable to the club that fell to its knees.
Bruce has arrived as boss with the sun shining once more in East Yorkshire, but says a sympathetic glance down the Football League should place the Allams' reign in perspective.
"Without them, I shudder to think what position this club would be in," said Bruce.
"Without the Allams, you'd be looking at a similar situation to the one Portsmouth have been in for a few years. It would have been that bad.
"To have kept this football club afloat, they've done incredibly well. Any Hull City supporter should be very thankful of what they've done in the last two years.
"They've been terrific with me and I want supporters to know that.
"They've backed me with everything I've tried to do and we should count ourselves very lucky that we've got them as owners.
"When I see and speak to other managers, they would love the support I've got. They've put the club in a very healthy position."
Bruce's ringing endorsement comes in a week when vice chairman Ehab Allam has spoken warmly about the progress enjoyed under their summer appointment, calling the opening half of the season a "fantastic" effort.
The mutual bonhomie captures the rosy outlook at the KC as City bounce through the final weeks of 2012.
Fourth in the Championship and just three points adrift of the automatic promotion places, Bruce and the Allam family are drawing up ambitious blueprints to clinch a place in the Premier League in the next five months.
A fine-tuning of the Tigers' squad during the January transfer window could make or break plans, but Bruce believes he will backed in every possible way.
"I've had their full support since I arrived here," he said. "Everything I've asked for, they've done their best to help me out. They realise that if we can strengthen, then we will.
"That's been the case since I've walked through the door if I'm honest.
"Just when it needed it we brought in David Stockdale, David Meyler and Robbie Brady last month and if there's someone we can bring in during the window to strengthen us, then again I'd be grateful of their support."
In his six-month tenure Bruce has so far been backed to recruit 11 new players – six permanent signings and five on loan – to stamp his mark on a side inherited in June. The vast majority of new arrivals have gone on to play lead roles, most notably Sone Aluko, Stephen Quinn and Ahmed Elmohamady.
A new attacking option will be sought next month with all eyes on City old boy Fraizer Campbell, but Bruce has told fans he will resist making any sweeping changes to his high-flying squad.
"I don't think our squad needs a lot of work on it," he added.
"I'm pleased because we're going very well. One thing you can't legislate for is injuries.
"We've had two long-term ones, Joe Dudgeon who was playing very well and Matty Fryatt who was our top scorer last season, but thankfully with the strength of our squad we've been able to cope.
"That's the big thing over winter, have we got enough strength in depth? You look at our squad list and it's strong. There's two players for each position."
Bruce's search for new blood is likely to come in the loan market next month, an avenue that has worked to good affect already this season.
"I've always said any business that you do has to be for the right reasons and they've got to be the right ones," Bruce added.
"I won't be going out and getting players for the sake of it. If there's a good one out there who could make a big difference, that would be terrific."
