Next stop Vegas - jubilant Hull back in the big time

Hull were given a transfer embargo in the summer, confining them to free transfers and loans. The sanction was imposed because of late payments to other clubs.

Even with the limitations, Jakirovic had the team in promotion contention throughout the campaign and guided them to a play-off win over a Millwall side who finished three places and 10 points above them.

The 49-year-old is an imposing figure, but his players have benefited from his relaxed approach.

In the news conference after Saturday's win, he joked that Southampton might have watched his side train but that it wasn't a problem as "sometimes we are too bad".

'I thought "What have I joined?"'

Hull avoided relegation back to the third tier on the final day of last season with a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.

Head of recruitment Martin Hodge was appointed weeks later and admitted that watching on from the stands that day at Fratton Park he had questioned whether the role was right for him. It turned out well enough in the end.

"We put a squad together just to try and get out of this league. The lads have been absolutely brilliant, and the manager has been a breath of fresh air," Hodge told BBC Radio Humberside.

"This is my 52nd year [in football] and I've been all over the world with Wales, I've been with big clubs. But this is the biggest achievement for me.

"I sat at Portsmouth last year, and I thought 'What have I joined?'

"So, in the space of a year, I think that the biggest credit, the biggest achievement, is to those lads in the management, and our staff."

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The all-important goal came in the fifth minute of stoppage time

Hodge, who brought in experienced Championship campaigners like defender John Egan and match-winner McBurnie, will now have a slightly bigger budget to work with for the coming season.

Ilicali made headlines before the play-off final when he said he would consider legal action if reinstated Boro beat his side.

The fallout from Spygate probably has a long way to go yet, but there will be no need for that particular action.

"This is the best day of my life for sure. Because in my career, I managed many successes starting from zero in my business. But football is a crazy thing," Ilicali told Sky Sports.

"We waited so much time [in stoppage time at the end]. Last five minutes, I couldn't move because I wouldn't be able to handle a last-minute goal."

Focus will eventually turn to preparations for the top flight. But for now, whether it's in Vegas, Croatia, Turkey or East Yorkshire, everyone connected with Hull can celebrate.