Bristol City 0 Hull City 1: Windass takes Hull to promised land

Eight years ago, their fans rattled tins to collect money to keep their club alive and the players were locked out of their own dilapidated stadium by the bailiffs. Yesterday, Hull City joined one of the most extravagant, exclusive lock-ins known to sport, worth around £60m. It may only last only a season, although their chairman Paul Duffen insists: "We've had a fantastic fan base for 104 years and that's why we can mount a respectable challenge to try to finish 17th or better next season." But that's for a little over two months' time. Yesterday, it was a time to reflect on manager Phil Brown's achievement of top-flight football for the first time in the club's history in his first full season of management and after what he calls his "dark days" when Derby County dismissed him after only seven months into his first management.

Yet, Brown was swift to attest to the role played by Dean Windass. At the final whistle, the 39-year-old Hull-born striker dashed towards the Tigers' supporters, but didn't quite make it. He collapsed, in a heap of emotion, apparently overcome by events that he had inspired with his exquistely-executed first half goal. As Brown said: "I think it was written by the gods that it would be Dean or Nicky Barmby who'd get the winner today. Veteran of eight clubs, including both Sheffields, having started his career at his home city club nearly 17 years ago -- and even then he was released by them as an 18-year-old by Brian Horton, who, in one of those twists of fate, now assists Brown -- Windass is one of those enduring characters who demonstrate that football is not all about cossetted multi-millionaires. The most anyone has ever paid for him was the £1m Bradford City outlayed in 1999. It could be suggested that it all deserves to be put into a book, except it's already been done, and he upset many family members with it. That life-story may need a substantial addendum now -- once he has recovered from the euphoria of yesterday.

It had all started with a dream at the KC Stadium...one of avoiding the relegation battle Hull had undergone the previous season. Even in January, Brown's side were only tenth. In contrast, Gary Johnson's Bristol City, were, with four weeks remaining of the "regular" season, top of nine teams with promotion aspirations. Here, yesterday, it was the Tigers' potent combination of veteran stalwarts Windass and former England striker Nicky Barmby, the talent of Fraizer Campbell, the on-loan striker from Manchester United, and those who have risen with the club from the fourth tier, whose first half attacking verve and later a defensive resolution which proved just too much for the Robins.

This was a day not just for Windass but for goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, defender Wayne Brown and captain Ian Ashbee, who signed on a free transfer from Cambridge, and recovered from a degenarative bone disease that could have ended in him occupying a wheelchair, let alone ending his career. That trio have all ascended with the club from humbler times.

In truth, quality was at a premium. Those Premier League managers witnessing this must have been slavering at the prospect of easy prey next season, albeit that the estimated £35m television and sponsorship income will allow Hull to substantially reinforce their personnel. But eight minutes before half-time, some genuine Manchester United class from Campbell allowed Hull to seize the initiative. The striker looked as though he may home in on goal himself, but instead coolly took the ball to the goal-line before hooking the ball back for Windass. On the edge of the area, the striker unleashed a lethal right-foot volley past goalkeeper Adriano Basso.

One sensed even then that there may be no way back for the Robins. Their principal failing all season has been a lack of goals. Their final tally was only 54; worse than all but Wolves of the teams in the top half of the Championship table. Johnson's team had begun in spirited manner. Marvin Elliott's ball eased Dele Adebola through, but Wayne Brown just did enough to deny him. Then Nick Carle burst through, but dragged his effort wide. It got worse for Bristol. Bradley Orr was removed on a stretcher, after suffering a depressed fracture of the cheekbone, following a collision with Barmby.

Rarely has a team leading at half-time in such a final not proceeded to take the spoils. But would some of those legs hold out? Barmby lasted 66 minutes before being replaced by Craig Fagan. Windass got a further four minutes before giving way to Caleb Folan. After the interval, Hull had retreated, and it was a dangerous policy as they came under sustained pressure. Michael McIndoe's fierce free-kick was nudged narrowly wide by Wayne Brown, an act which provoked Johnson's men to claim handball, although referee Alan Wiley was unmoved.

David Noble despatched one effort into into the arms of Myhill, then Lee Trundle made room for himself in a congested area, but that attempt found the goalkeeper's midriff. It was Trundle to whom Bristol's one inviting opening fell. With five minutes remaining, the Welshman must have believed he had equalised when Myhill failed to handle a deep cross and dropped the ball at Trundle's feet. It looked as though he had to simply lash the ball home, but the ball was deflected over by Michael Turner who had rushed to cover.

Finally, Hull, and their followers, could hail a famous triumph - and major boost for the Tiger economy ends

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