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By Mike Collett
LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) - Hull City won promotion to the top tier of English soccer for the first time since they were formed 104 years ago when they beat Bristol City 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Hull-born Dean Windass, 39, scored to give Hull victory with a stunning, unstoppable right-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area after a swift counter-attack in the 38th minute.
Bristol City, seeking a return to the top flight for the first time in 28 years and a second successive promotion, played their part in an entertaining match, but despite creating chances, they failed to take them.
Hull join West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City, who gained automatic promotion, in the Premier League next season, replacing relegated Birmingham City, Reading and Derby County.
Hull coach Phil Brown told Sky Sports News immediately afterwards: "It's marvellous, absolutely marvellous.
"How fitting that Dean got the winning goal, I think it was written in the stars that either Dean or (Hull-born) Nicky Barmby would get the winner today."
The match, worth an estimated 60 million pounds ($118.8 million) to the winners in terms of increased TV revenue, gate receipts and sponsorships, is regarded as the single richest one-off match in world soccer, and was settled by a goal worthy of the occasion.
Hull broke from one end of the field to the other with Windass and Barmby involved in the build-up. Frazier Campbell, on loan from Manchester United, eluded two Bristol defenders then stopped near the goalline, turned and teed up the final pass for Windass who smashed his 201st career goal past Adriano Basso.
"It's unbelievable, surreal, we fully deserved it. It's just fantastic," said Windass, who originally left Hull in 1995 and returned last year.
Bristol City, who last played in the top flight in 1980, lost Jamie McCombe with illness before the match, then defender Bradley Orr just before halftime with a depressed cheek bone.
"We had a few half-chances but we weren't at our best today," said manager Gary Johnson. "The game could have gone either way, but good luck to Hull for next season."
