5 Years ago. wow
On this day in 2016, Hull City AFC returned to English football’s elite after a 1-0 win against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.
After previous visits to the “Home of football”, the occasion wasn’t as momentous as the games two years previous in the FA Cup, however the expectancy was way way higher to that of the play-off final success against Bristol City in 2008.
Realistically, Steve Bruce’s side definitely had the firepower and strength to finish in the automatic promotion places, but an indifferent end to the season including a notable defeat to 2nd place Middlesbrough put pay to that route of bouncing back straight away. Failure in the play-offs was not an option..
City would face Derby in the semi-finals.
Hernandez. Odubajo. Robertson. One of the most memorable away performances in recent history, and surely the semi-final would be lightwork. But this is Hull City..
The most nerve-wracking second leg would eventually finish with City prevailing 3-2 on aggregate, and a fourth trip to Wembley in 8 years beckoned.
28th May 2016. Hull City vs Sheffield Wednesday. Another date with destiny in Hull City’s history was there for the taking. An unchanged side from the two semi-finals graced the Wembley turf at 5PM, 90 minutes away from the Premier League.
After riding the initial storm, in which Fernando Forestieri and Ross Wallace test the Tigers’ stand-in goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, the momentum swung completely in City’s favour.
An outstanding save from his opposite number Kieren Westwood would keep out Abel Hernandez, before the Uruguayan would come even closer as his free header was blocked on the line. Another golden chance came the way of Mo Diamé , and after jinxing his way past a handful of defenders, saw his shot cannon off the post.
HT: Hull City 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
At this point within the crowd there was a feeling that things wouldn’t fall City’s way , despite being in total control.
An astonishing goal-saving tackle from Curtis Davies would deny Wednesday’s most potent attacking threat Fernando Forestieri.
A superb counter-attack on the right flank following a Wednesday corner saw Elmohamady set Odubajo free. His cross into the box, immaculate. However, the same can’t be said for Andy Robertson’s “effort”, that is quite possibly still rising into orbit at this very moment. Not long after, Michael Dawson would be denied by another top drawer Westwood save.
And then, in the 71st minute. This happened
After thoughts of the game not going our way, came a moment to savour for every Hull City supporter. Mo Diamé receives the ball from Robert Snodgrass,. And finally, during a game crying out for a moment of brilliance. You know the rest…. “OHHHH DIAMÉ !!!!”
The Senegalese midfielder curled in an unbelievable effort from 25 yards out and etched his name into the history books. Westwood had no chance as it flew past him into the top right hand corner. The east end of Wembley Stadium erupted, despite being outnumbered by the so called “massives”. City were now just 19 minutes away from an instant return to the Premier League, a moment no one will ever forget!
A moment of brilliance which typified the Premier League quality within City’s squad, now could they see the job through?…
A nervy final few moments saw a wave of Wednesday bombardments. A sliced clearance from Andy Robertson was the first of many heart-in-mouth moments, thankfully it landed on top of Eldin Jakupovic’s net. A penalty appeal against Michael Dawson was then waved away, and then in the final seconds, the ball found its way to Jeremy Helan. The chance seemed harder to miss , but thankfully for the Tigers it had no chance of testing Jakupovic. The final seconds then ticked by.
FT: HULL CITY 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Eventually, after what felt like forever. Bobby Madley blew the final whistle. CITY WERE BACK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
Another glorious day in the sun at Wembley, just eight years after the first promotion to the top flight, and Hull City were back for the fifth season in eight years!
Again, more joyous scenes as captain Michael Dawson held the trophy aloft in the Royal Box and the celebrations with the generations of loyal supporters who were in North London five years ago!
Fan Memories
For myself, I was there in 2008 but I was only five years old so I can’t really remember too much about the actual day. 2013 felt more special, as did the games at Wembley in 2014. However, still seeing City win at Wembley and the fans all united regardless of any background discontent was an unbelievable feeling. One of the best goals I’ll ever see scored by a Hull City player!. Being there with my family who have been going to City since the 1960’s, and seen the rough and rougher times in the 90’s/early 2000’s makes it even more special that I’d grown up with our most successful period, which culminated in this victory.
Here are some of your memories of one of the greatest days in the history of Hull City AFC!
Albert Brigham – “We were sat right at the top of Wembley. About 2 minutes before Diamé scored, a blue flare was thrown and hit my old man in the head. He picked it up, we scored, the blue flare was in his hand going absolutely mental! Seeing the smug kid who threw the flare turn his back to us was absolutely golden.”
Harvey Botterill – “I remember the whole ticket conundrum, was meant to be sitting in the top part of our allocation, then got moved down to corner flag on the day! A great view for that Diamé goal. ;)”
Tom Ablett – “Was sat dead centre underneath the scoreboard with my grandad so a great view for the goal. We got Tiger Travel back and even when we stopped off at the service station at 2am , everyone was still chanting Diamé!
Connor Docherty – “Paying about £10 for some popcorn, only to kick it over when Diamé scored!”
Olly Burdett – “Despite how significant and enjoyable the win was at the time, it means so much more now than it did on the day to me. Little did I know it would prove to be one of the final games I’d attend with my Grandad before his passing a few months later after a short illness. I’d been brought up in a Liverpool supporting household, but my Grandad started taking me to City games from a young age and did so for 11 years. I experienced promotions and relegations with him, and this Wembley trip was essentially the final chapter of mine and my Grandad’s Hull City rollercoaster. It just shows that you should cherish moments like this as much as you can, because they really do not come often. Football really is more than a game.”
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