Advertisement

Former Hull chairman: "second promotion better than first"

Former Hull chairman Paul Duffen has said the club's promotion to the Barclays Premier League this year as being a greater achievement than 2008.

The Tigers' returned to the top flight with a second-placed finish in the npower Championship on Saturday, after they drew 2-2 at the KC Stadium.

When Hull went up five years earlier via the Championship play-offs, it was the first time they had reached the top division in their history.

But Duffen, who took over as chairman in 2007 before resigning two years later, said their latest achievement is better.

"This was even better than 2008. To see Hull clinch promotion automatically, without the need for the nervy, fretful experience of the play-offs, was superb.

"Great credit must go to (club owners) Assem and Ehab Allam and to manager Steve Bruce and his team for toughing it out to the end.

"Mind you, there was plenty of tension in the KC as we waited for the news from Watford. I was anxious, everyone was anxious, but it was worth the wait.

"This was a special moment for Hull to reclaim their place in the Premier League. No-one gave them a chance of winning promotion at the start of the season but they have had such a wonderful campaign."