Hull City are still basking in the glory of their promotion to the Premier League, and why not? After a summer that's been nothing short of epic, the Tigers' stars are beaming with pride. For striker Oli McBurnie, whose match-winning goal at Wembley was the stuff of legends, it's been a wild ride since securing Championship play-off glory.
The lad's had his fair share of adventure, first jetting off to Las Vegas on a well-deserved break courtesy of owner Acun Ilicali. And what a break it was! McBurnie recounted the unforgettable moment when a fan got his signature tattooed on her arm – talk about making an impact. But that wasn't all – he also took in some quality family time in Turkey, where he met up with Ilicali and discovered just how far-reaching the club's fanbase is.
Club captain Lewie Coyle, meanwhile, is still on cloud nine after his 'best summer ever'. The lad, who debuted for Hull City back when they were toiling in League One, described their Vegas trip as 'incredible' – and we don't blame him one bit. A local boy through and through, Coyle made sure to squeeze in some quality family time too, taking three-year-old son in tow on a Portuguese escapade that'll stay with them for years to come.
For the players, it's back to reality now – but what a reality it is! Training's about to get underway in earnest, and before long, they'll be trading tackles with the best of the Premier League. First up? A mouth-watering showdown against Manchester United on August 22nd at the KCOM.
And for Matt Crooks, this one will be a real test of family loyalty – his own family holding season tickets at Old Trafford, after all! The midfielder knows what's coming his way and is undaunted by the challenge. 'It's going to be the ultimate test,' he says with a grin. 'We're going to have to raise our game if we want to compete with these big boys.'
Hull City's promotion marks a seismic shift for the city, bringing top-flight football back where it belongs – and owner Acun Ilicali is banking on this increased exposure to catapult his club onto the world stage.