Nick is sponsored by teckno solutions

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 a £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 Hull City 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 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 at 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 Championship.

Unfortunately, he also joined City's lengthy injury list when he suffered a hamstring tear against Crystal Palace in January 2006 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 made a total of 25 appearances in all competitions during City's inaugural season in the top-flight, including starting in our first ever Premier League game - a 2-1 victory over Fulham in August 2008.

Personal highlights for the veteran forward that season came in the shape of goals against Sunderland and Arsenal, with both strikes significant for different reasons.

Whereas finding the net against the Mackems saw Nick join an elite group of players to have scored in the Premier League for six different clubs, his strike against the Gunners in the quarter-final of the FA Cup left him one short of a momentous 100 career goals.

Featuring a further 22 times during the ill-fated 2009/10 campaign, despite his best efforts, Nick was unable to help prevent his home-town club's relegation and subsequent return to Championship football.

The present season has been a significant one in Nick's career, as soon after the arrival of manager Nigel Pearson the veteran midfielder was promoted to the role of player/coach. Speaking after Nick's appointment, Pearson explained the reasons behind his decision.

"Nick is someone I know well, so I was keen to get him onboard as a member of the staff," he said.

"His new role is a good progression for him. He's working for his hometown club and that means an awful lot to him as everybody knows. Nick being here means that I've already got somebody at the Club who I know really well and he knows me. That is always a good sign."

The added responsibility that the coaching role entails seems to have only galvanised Nick further on the playing field, as he has been one of the Tigers' top performers in the early stages of the 2010/11 campaign. The 36-year-old's impressive form has seen him get back to scoring ways, with his first-half strike against Doncaster Rovers marking an impressive milestone of 100 goals at club level.

The 2011/12 season has been a remarkable on for Nick. Made Caretaker Manager following the departure of Nigel Pearson, Nick was made full-time manager in January just days after announcing his retirement from playing.