Hull City

Friday 11 Apr 2014
Dean Windass celebrates his winning goal in 2008

Hull City return to Wembley on Sunday for the first time in six years - only the second time in their history - but will head back with fond memories of their only other trip to the National Stadium.

It was on Saturday 24 May 2008 that Dean Windass famously fired Phil Brown's side into the top flight for the first time in their 104-year history.

Local-lad Windass, aged 39 at the time, turned back the clock and fired a spectacular volley from the edge of the box past Adriano Basso in the Bristol City goal in the Championship play-off final.

Sunday's game will also be only the second time Hull have reached the semi-final stage of the competition - with their first being 84 years ago.

Hull City's Road to Wembley

  • R3: Middlesbrough (A) 2-0
  • R4: Southend United (A) 2-0
  • R5: Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 1-1
  • R5 (Replay): Brighton & Hove Albion (H) 2-1
  • R6: Sunderland (H) 3-0

In the 1929-30 season Bill McCracken's Hull faced Arsenal at Elland Road. 

In stark contrast to this season's Semi-Final, the Tigers went into that game as rank outsiders. The club was at the bottom of the Second Division. 

The Tigers drew the first game 2-2 - but were defeated 1-0 in the replay at Villa Park four days later. Arsenal went on to win the Cup that year and Hull were relegated a month later.

With Steve Bruce's side going into the Semi-Final in 12th spot in the Premier League - and nine points clear of the relagation zone - he will be confident his 2014 outfit should avoid the same fate.

The Hull boss will, however, be weary of an in-form Sheffield United, who despite their plying their trade in the third tier, who have already claimed the scalps of four teams from higher divisions - including Premier League sides Aston Villa and Fulham.

Hull celebrate their 2008 play-off success

Hull celebrate their 2008 play-off success

Meanwhile, the Tigers boss admits he also has a few selection headaches to work through ahead of Sunday's contest.

Speaking to the Hull Daily Mail, he said: "It's a semi-final and I'm going to disappoint some people. Everyone wants to play and rightfully so, it's Wembley.

"That's when your job becomes horrible and nasty because you've got to let people down.

"I've got 25 players and I can pick 11, so I'm going to have more people disappointed than happy."
Steve Bruce.

"I've got 25 players and I can pick 11, so I'm going to have more people disappointed than happy.

"George Boyd, for example, has made a huge contribution and he has a great chance but it's not easy." 

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer