Bristol City 0, Hull City 1

GOALDEN OLDIE, DEAN

By AIDAN MAGEE at Wembley

DEAN WINDASS has had to wait a long, long time for his day in the sun.

The former brickie looks like he is suffering a mid-life crisis and has bleached his hair bright blond to make himself look a bit younger.

VIDEO: Watch Aidan McGee's verdict on Hull's triumph

Windass, 39, who first joined Hull from North Ferriby United 18 years ago, cannot even last a full 90 minutes any more.

But his glorious volley from the edge of the box ensured his barnet was not the only highlight at Wembley and netted his side a staggering £60million booty with a swing of his trusty right boot.

It also meant top-flight football for the first time in Hull's 104-year history.

Hull-born Windass said: "It feels unbelievable. I don't think there is anyone left in Hull today looking at how many supporters we've got here.

"To score the wining goal is fantastic. We've worked hard from the start of the season and we've got our rewards for that.

"I've never been here before so get the winner is a great feeling.

"It was a great ball from Frazier Campbell and I couldn't believe it went in the top corner.

"I am lost for words - it's just a fantastic day."

And Windass was not the only hero for Phil Brown's side.

Lee Trundle looked odds-on to grab an equaliser four minutes from time until Tigers' player of the year Michael Turner threw his body in front of the City man's shot and deflected it over.

There is an old saying about Hull: It's not the end of the world ... but you can see it from there.

And for a city with a population of more than 300,000, it seems incredible that it has never hosted top-flight football.

Boss Brown said: "It's marvellous and it's very fitting that Dean Windass got the winner.

"It was written in the gods that it would be Deano or Nicky Barmby. The players have tried hard all season and thoroughly deserve it.

"It is a fantastic feeling to do it here in front of all these supporters. Now comes the challenge. But there are successes such as Portsmouth and Bolton, and if the chairman backs me in the Premier League, who knows how far we can go?"

Billed as the £60m match, this was also seen as the battle for next season's Premier League wooden spoon.

In fact, the winners were strongly fancied to break Derby's record low points tally of 11 set this term. But any negativity surrounding the match was lost on the supporters.

The red of Bristol City and the amber of Hull made it one of the most colourful occasions since the new stadium opened last year.

Tigers forced the breakthrough seven minutes before the break.

On-loan Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell twisted on the left before cleverly lifting the ball back for Windass who blasted into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

Unlucky Robins were forced into a tactical reshuffle by an horrific injury to Bradley Orr.

The game was held up for six minutes as the City right-back was treated by paramedics following a clash of heads. He was taken to hospital with a suspected depressed fracture of the cheekbone, Lee Johnson going on as sub.

But Bristol started the second half brighter. And they went close when Trundle turned Ian Ashbee inside the area only to shoot straight at Boaz Myhill.

Then Turner's dramatic block denied Trundle again in the final minutes to seal victory.

When ref Alan Wiley blew for full-time, a roar went up from the Hull fans which could be heard from the Humber Bridge.

Punters

Match-winner Windass — subbed in the 71st minute — showed more pace than he had all day by racing to greet his adoring punters behind the goal.

They will, of course, feel that despite what lies ahead next season, justice has been done.

It is not often that the team finishing third in the Championship goes up via the play-offs.

And they will need Windass' experience of scrapping in the top flight with Bradford and Middlesbrough, even though he will be 40 by the end of next season.

Robins boss Gary Johnson faced the unenviable task of rousing his players after a magnificent first season back in the Championship ended ultimately in failure.

He admitted: "We are having a period of grieving. I told the players we were so close to being a Premier League club.

"We'll take three or four weeks to get over this. But I want the players to come back refreshed and with a few additions to the squad we'll have another go next season."

Do you think Hull can survive in the big-time? Will they do a Sunderland...or a Derby? Where do they need to strengthen to guarantee their survival? And what do you Hull fans think of manager Phil Brown? Does he deserve a knighthood?

Comments

[Niall Howlett]

Come on u 'ull, the whole of Hull are with you. Come on u TIGERS

[Pete Thorpe]

The Tigers are there on skill and ability - 3rd in table topped by a Premiership quality goal and defending performance. No mean feat and definitely no accident and I look forward to watching every moment next season in the top flight!! Up the Tigers!

[Phil Evans]

Dreams and miracles do happen 40 yrs ive waited
for this moment.Deano is a legend,Adam Pearson too.
Watch out Ferguson the tigers are coming to get you.

[James Evans]

DEANO DEANO DEANO, how does he do it, get ready premiership you've got the tigers coming your way DEANO DEAN0!! !!legend!!

[Dave Burrington]

Good Luck to Hull City and bad luck to Bristol City. Very good final but I personally feel that Hull City will struggle in the Premiership. To face the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool as well the rest is a very daunting task, and they could find themselves nearly propping up the Premiership table.

[SURLY TIGER]

Fantastic performance from City! Well done Deano & the lads.