In the Tigers' centenary season, in a sensational move, Nick came home for the start of the 2004-05 campaign.

One of Hull's most famous sporting sons, following City's promotion from Division Three, his decision to reject more lucrative offers after his release by Leeds United led to claims that his free transfer capture could be regarded as the biggest-ever signing in the club's history.

Nick's footballing education began on the playing fields of Hull in the eighties whilst also watching a successful era for the Tigers from the Boothferry Park terraces.

A former Kelvin Hall schoolboy, he played for Springhead Boys and National Tigers and trained with City's youth teams before leaving the area at the age of 14 to take his place at the FA's National School of Excellence at Lilleshall.

As an honours graduate, Nick became one of the most sought-after young stars in the country.

His tremendous ability was nurtured by Terry Venables at Tottenham Hotspur; signing pro forms at White Hart Lane in April 1991 and making his debut at Sheffield Wednesday in September 1992.

Capable of playing in any midfield or forward capacity, he later became a member of the 'famous five' as Spurs produced some vintage attacking football under Ossie Ardiles before returning north in the first of his big money moves.

After over 100 appearances in four years at Tottenham, Nick joined Middlesbrough for a club record fee of £5.25million in August 1995 with his sparkling skills perfectly suited to Boro's new home at the Riverside Stadium.

Nick's stint on Teesside was to last only 15 months as he became Everton's record signing in November 1996 at £5.75million.

His popularity continued at Goodison although it was undoubtedly diminished in some quarters in July 2000 when he made his controversial move across Stanley Park to join Liverpool for £6million.

The first player to make such a move since Dave Hickson in 1959, Nick passed the ultimate test of character with flying colours, being part of Gerard Houllier's squad that won the UEFA Cup and Worthington Cup in his first season at Anfield.

Nick teamed up with his old mentor Terry Venables at Leeds United in August 2002 when the £2.75million fee brought his career total to £19.75million.

On the international scene, Nick made his full England debut - selected by Venables - against Uruguay at Wembley in March 1995.

He scored in both Glenn Hoddle and Sven-Goran Eriksson's first games in charge, was in the Euro 96 and Euro 2000 tournament squads and played in the memorable 5-1 defeat of Germany in Munich in September 2001.

He won the last of his 23 caps a month later as England clinched qualification to the 2002 World Cup finals against Greece at Old Trafford.

Of relevance to the Tigers, he was selected by manager Peter Taylor as an over-age player in his first stint as Under-21 coach.

Nick also played in the full 90 minutes of Peter's only game in caretaker charge of the national team - against Italy in Turin in November 2000.

Sadly, injuries at key times robbed Nick of even more honours. As stated by Ivan Ponting in his Player-by-Player history of Tottenham Hotspur: "It is impossible not to conclude that Nick Barmby was the outstanding English talent of his generation."

Quite apart from the financial aspect, it is also impossible not to conclude that he came to the KC Stadium for all the right reasons.

His family is steeped in HullCity tradition as father Jeff is one of the most familiar figures around the club having been the chairman of the Ex-Tigers Association for over 30 years.

And it could not have been a happier return as Nick emphatically proved the doubters wrong with the Tigers clinching their second successive promotion to earn a place in the Championship.

Used in an advanced attacking role, his skill, touch, vision and movement gave City an extra dimension while his hard work and determination was an outstanding example to his colleagues.

An added highlight was a place in the City record books with a goal after seven seconds against Walsall (the quickest-ever in our history).

Proof that he has won a place in the KC fans hearts came when he was voted in to 15^th place in a poll of the Tigers 100 greatest-ever players.

Named captain in the absence of Ian Ashbee, Nick's skill and experience helped to establish City in the higher grade.

Unfortunately, he also joined City's lengthy injury list when he suffered a hamstring tear against CrystalPalace in January that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Nick's contract with the Tigers was extended to June 2008 in June 2006, then to June 2009 in August 2007.

Strangely under-used in the opening months of the 2006-07 season as City sank into a relegation battle, the appointment of Phil Brown in December restored him to heart of the Tigers' endeavours.

Tagged 'the little maestro" by his new boss, Nick provided the attacking catalyst for the ultimate survival but, following an ankle injury suffered against Queens Park Rangers in January and a series of subsequent niggling setbacks, he was unavailable for much of the second-half of the campaign, although a vital goal against Stoke helped the Tigers avoid relegation.

Although further injury frustrations were to follow, the close call of relegation turned in to an incredible fairytale in 2007-08.

Alongside fellow veteran Hullensian Dean Windass, a glorious chapter was written in the autumn of their careers as they helped to guide their home town Tigers to the top flight for the first time in our history.

Most notably, Nick scored crucial goals in each leg of the Championship Play-Offs semi-final against Watford to take City to Wembley for the first time.

Nick continues to impress in the top flight as he looks to earn himself a new contract.

NICK BARMBY FACTFILE

International Honours: England Full International (23 caps), B (2 caps), Under-21 (4 caps), Youth and Schoolboy