Dean Windass read the script perfectly as his first half goal saw the Tigers defeat Bristol City 1-0 and make history by reaching the top flight of English football for the first time.
The home town hero fired home a superb volley seven minutes before half time to seal his hometown club's most memorable moment in 104 years of history.
Phil Brown kept faith with the same eleven that started the semi-final against Watford, which meant Wayne Brown overcame any fitness concerns to take his place in the back four.
The only change to the squad came on the bench as Dean Marney returned from injury to take the place of Simon Walton.
The noise as the teams were lead on to the field was almost deafening as the players were presented to Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney before the singing of the national anthem.
It was Bristol City who had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when Dele Adebola managed to muscle his way past Brown, but his final effort from a tight angle was weak and comfortably saved by Boaz Myhill.
In the main, it was Bristol City who looked the most threatening in the early stages although the Tigers were showing some neat touches in midfield.
For a second, it looked as though Fraizer Campbell was going to have a chance on goal when he chased a long through ball, but Bristol keeper Adriano Basso came out of his area to clear.
At the other end Nick Carle had a chance, but pressure from Brown forced him to shoot wide from inside the box.
City won their first corner on 20 minutes when Dean Windass saw his deep cross headed behind. From Bryan Hughes' delivery Michael Turner headed just wide.
A good move from the Tigers in the 24th minute eventually saw Sam Ricketts cross for Richard Garcia, whose header dropped just over the bar.
The Tigers took the lead on 38 minutes in fine style. Barmby released Campbell and after he had held the ball up, he pulled it back to Windass who hit a superb first-time volley into the net from 18 yards.
Shortly after the goal there was a lengthy stoppage.
Bradley Orr, who had earlier picked up a nasty knock after clashing in the air with Barmby, went down for a second time.
He needed oxygen and it looked like a serious problem for the defender, who was eventually stretchered off to be replaced by Lee Johnson.
That lead to six minutes of added time being signalled which the Tigers navigated without a major scare to put them within touching distance of the Premier League.
Half Time: Tigers 1-0 Bristol City
Bristol City were the first side to attack after half time, but Carle fired wide from the edge of the box.
They then won a free kick 25 yards out when Hughes was seen to handle the ball, although it seemed a harsh decision.
David Noble took a shot at goal, but it went straight at Myhill.
Bristol City were awarded another free kick from similar range on 56 minutes.
Michael McIdoe shot this time, but it was deflected wide by Brown. From the corner, Lee Trundle headed wide at the far post.
At the other end, Campbell's weak shot was easily saved by Basso.
The Tigers' first change came on 67 minutes when Craig Fagan replaced the hard working Barmby. Fagan slotted in on the left side of midfield.
Fagan soon conceded a free kick which, once again, was roughly 25 yards from goal.
This time, Johnson tried a shot, but it was poor and blocked by the wall.
The Tigers' second change came on 71 minutes when Caleb Folan came on for Windass, who left the pitch to a huge ovation from the black and amber half of the stadium.
Trundle looked to cause problems and when he cut back inside Brown, he could only fire a shot straight at Myhill.
The keeper then had to save from McIndoe low to his right.
Ivan Sproule picked up the first booking of the game after a challenge on Fagan.
Good play between Garcia and Fagan presented the former with shooting chance on 77 minutes, but he could only fire straight at Basso.
Garcia, who was popping up on both sides of the field, then set up a chance but after a bout of pinball and a deflected Campbell shot, Bristol managed to clear.
Folan needed treatment after coming off second best in a challenge with Louis Carey.
The striker looked in agony and there was plenty of concern on the faces of the City coaching staff.
After a lengthy delay, Folan got back to his feet and after briefly leaving the field, he gingerly returned to the action.
Turner showed why he was voted Player of the Year with five minutes to go as he flung himself in front of Trundle's shot to deflect it over.
Bristol City were piling forward and only a last-ditch clearance from Ricketts prevented Darren Byfield from having a tap in at the far post.
Four minutes of time were added and in the first of those, Campbell won his side a free kick on the edge of the Bristol City box.
Hughes took it, but curled his shot just over.
Campbell was then booked for fouling Carey inside his own half. It was Campbell's final involvement before being replaced by Marney.
Myhill claimed a late Trundle cross and moments later it was all over - the Tigers were up!
Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Wayne Brown, Andy Dawson; Richard Garcia, Ian Ashbee [captain], Bryan Hughes, Nick Barmby (Fagan 67); Fraizer Campbell (Marney 90), Dean Windass (Folan 71).
Subs: Matt Duke, Nathan Doyle, Dean Marney, Craig Fagan, Caleb Folan.
Bookings: Campbell 90.
Bristol City (4-4-2) Adriano Basso; Bradley Orr (Johnson 44), Louis Carey [captain], Liam Fontaine, Jamie McAllister; David Noble (Sproule 63), Marvin Elliott, Nick Carle (Byfield 76), Michael McIndoe; Lee Trundle, Dele Adebola.
Subs: Chris Weale, Tamas Vasko, Lee Johnson, Ivan Sproule, Darren Byfield.
Booking: Sproule 77
Attendance: 86,703
The previous highest-ever attendance for any Hull City match was 66,889 for a Second Division game at Tottenham Hotspur on 7 April 1950.
The Tigers' last win in London was a 2-1 success at Leyton Orient on 13 March 1999. At that time, we were in 22nd position in the Third Division (current League Two).
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